Eyelid Swelling Causes

The swelling of eyelids is a common condition which may or may not produce any additional symptoms. Sometimes, eyelid swelling may be accompanied by redness or itching. This condition can be caused due to various reasons, some of which are very common, while some others are rare. Mild cases of eyelid swelling may subside within a few hours, but persistent swelling with additional symptoms surely needs medical attention. Eyelid swelling is a condition which can be caused by a number of reasons, but the exact cause has to be diagnosed on the basis of additional symptoms, the medical history of the patient, the family history, etc.

Common Causes of Eyelid Swelling

Allergies
One of the most common causes of eyelid swelling is an allergy. The eyelids may get swollen due to an allergic reaction to anything, like nail polish, cosmetics, hair spray, soaps, etc. It can be a dust allergy, chemical allergy, plant allergy or even an animal allergy which is mainly caused by pets. These allergies lead to eyelid swelling and itching with redness also. In general, anything that causes an allergy may lead to swelling of the eyelids, which may or may not cause redness and itching.

Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a condition that affects the eyes and is characterized by the swelling of the eyelids. Such inflammation is caused by some underlying conditions like rosacea (a skin disease that causes enlargement of blood vessels of the face), bacterial infections, scalp dandruff, dry eyes, etc. Apart from swelling of eyelids, blepharitis may also produce symptoms like burning sensation in the eyes, a feeling of the presence of a foreign body, tearing, crusting, redness and itching.

Styes and Conjunctivitis
Styes are similar to pimples which develop near the base of the eyelashes. They are actually inflamed sebaceous glands caused due to the attack of staphylococcus bacteria. Styes can cause swelling of the eyelid with or without itching and redness. There are chances of spreading of the bacteria if you try to squeeze or pierce a stye. Unlike styes, conjunctivitis is an eye infection which can be caused by virus, bacteria, or any allergy. It is contagious and is characterized by swelling, redness, itching, burning and eye discharge.

Chalazion
Chalazion is a condition which causes a cyst-like formation in the eyelid, mostly in the lower eyelid. This is due to the blockage in the eye duct which triggers the development of pimple-like structures in the eye-lubricating glands. This condition causes swelling of the eyelids which may subside with cold compresses. Chalazion may be accompanied by redness, pain or itching.

Uncommon Causes
Eye swelling can be caused by a host of other reasons which are uncommon as compared to the above mentioned ones. One such condition is periorbital cellulitis, which is a serious condition that spreads behind the eye orbit. This condition starts with itching or inflammation, but once spread, it is very painful. Sometimes, blocked sinuses can also result in the swelling of eyelids. Eyelid swelling causes include shingles which occurs in people above the age of fifty. Some kidney disorders like, nephrotic syndrome, glomerulonephritis, etc., can also cause eyelid swelling. Insect bites and trauma are also among the many causes of eyelid swelling.

The eye being such a delicate part of our body, any eye problem should never be taken lightly. Whatever may be the cause, if you develop an eyelid swelling which does not subside within a few hours or a day, you have to consult a doctor immediately. You can approach a general practitioner, an ophthalmologist or even a skin specialist for this purpose.