Itchy Swollen Eyelids

Eyes are perhaps the most sensitive of all the body parts. Eyes are also one of the most used body parts. This makes even a slight discomfort, pain or swelling in the eye, very intolerable for most people. Itchy swollen eyelids, resulting from a number of factors, not only cause problems in the vision of the person, but can be very troublesome too. Below are some of reasons why itchy swollen eyelids present themselves in people, followed by the treatment options for the same.

Causes

Blepharitis
This condition is caused due to a bacterial infection in the oil glands, near the eyelashes. Another reason behind this condition is an allergic reaction caused due to the usage of cosmetics containing some unsuitable chemicals. Not washing eye makeup in the night can cause allergic reaction, resulting in this condition too. Besides this, other symptoms of blepharitis are, irritation of the skin as well as formation of scales on the skin near the eyelashes.

Conjunctivitis
Also known as pink eye, conjunctivitis, can cause itchy swollen eyelids in a person, accompanied by eye twitching. Conjunctivitis occurs on account of a virus or a bacterial infection in the eye.

Sunburns
Itchy swollen eyes that are experienced after going out in the sun, without protection, could be due to sunburns. Just like the skin on other body parts needs protection from the sun, skin on eyelids too needs the same. And if sunscreen is not applied to the eyelids before going out in the sun, it can cause sunburn.

Unhygienic Conditions
There are certain habits, such as, not keeping the area around the eye clean, rubbing the eyes again and again with dirty hands, leaving eye makeup on for long hours, which cause itchy swollen eyes, and a person simply has to change his habits to avoid them.

Stye
It could be due to a stye. A stye is caused when there is built up of bacteria in the oil glands located near the eyelashes. There is a formation of a lump, which can be quite painful too, near the edge of the eyelid.

Treatment

Except for itchy swollen eyelids caused by conjunctivitis, which can only be treated by a doctor, in most cases, they can be treated at home, by using a few home remedies. Applying heat to the eyelids, by using a cloth soaked with warm water, can prove to be very effective. This should be done twice a day, till the infection dies down. However, if the infection becomes severe and does not go away in a week, consulting a doctor is the best thing to do. Doctors generally prescribe an antibiotic ointment to treat itchy swollen eyelids, caused by blepharitis.

For treating a stye, application of heat with a warm cloth, the same way as mentioned above, should be done. To bring down the swelling and to drain out the pus from the stye, an effective remedy is to simply pull out the eyelashes on which it is formed, with tweezers. However, one needs to be really careful as to not to apply a lot of pressure on the stye, while doing this.

To treat itchy swollen eyelids caused by sunburns, giving the eyes cold treatment by placing sliced cucumber on both the eyes, or putting cotton balls soaked in chilled water on them, will prove very beneficial.

As can be seen from above, this is not something serious. However, it can be very discomforting. So, it is always better to prevent its occurrence, by applying eye make up properly, removing it before sleeping every night, and keeping the eyes clean by washing them at least a few times in a day.