Top Causes Of Swollen Eyelids That You Need To Know About

A swollen eyelid is something which is too noticeable and can be a really annoying problem to deal with. More than this, swollen eyelids can be severe if the swelling is big enough to cover your eyes.

Most of the causes of swollen eyelids are harmless, but sometimes minor problems can also turn out to be quite serious.

If you have experienced swollen eyelids before, then it is safe to actually treat this condition at home.

A swollen eyelid usually occurs when there is inflammation or excess fluid accumulation in the connective tissues surrounding the eye.

Swollen eyes can be both painful and non-painful and can affect both the upper and lower eyelids.

There are several causes of swollen eyes like eye infections, eye injuries or trauma and allergies.

Sometimes, the swelling of the eyelids can also be a sign of a more serious or life-threatening health problem like orbital cellulitis, Grave's disease and ocular herpes.

Swelling of the eyelids is most commonly associated with eye irritation, excess tear production, redness of the eyelid, obstructed vision, red eyes and inflammation of the conjunctiva, eye discharge, eyelid dryness and pain.

In this article, we have mentioned to you some of the top causes of swollen eyelids. So, read further to know more about the reasons for swollen eyelids.

1. Stye:

A stye is an infection of a gland in the eyelid. The most common type of stye infects the tear gland that is present at the base of the eyelashes. Stye can also occur inside the eyelid due to an infected oil gland.

2. Chalazion:

This looks like an infection, but is not a stye. A chalazion occurs when an oil gland in the eyelid gets clogged. These bumps can grow quite larger in size. Warm compresses can help in clearing out chalazion.

3. Allergies:

If the eyelids are swollen with itchy, red, watery eyes, then this could be an eye allergy. Dust, pollen and other allergens can irritate the eyes, thus causing an allergic reaction. This is one of the top causes of swollen eyelids.

4. Exhaustion:

Exhaustion or fatigue can make the eyelids turn puffy or swollen. Water retention that occurs overnight can also affect the eyelids. This can make it swollen the next morning.

5. Crying:

Crying can rupture the minute blood vessels in the eyes and eyelids, especially if the crying lasted for hours. This occurs due to the fluid retention that is caused by the increase in the blood flow to the area around the eyes.

6. Cosmetics:

When cosmetic products enter the eyes, they can cause irritation in the eyes and the surrounding tissues, thus causing it to swell.

7. Orbital Cellulitis:

This is an infection that occurs deep in the tissue of the eyelid. This can spread quite quickly and can also be very painful. Even a small cut can introduce enough bacteria to trigger this condition. This will let you know what is the cause for swollen eyelids.

8. Grave's Disease:

This disease is an endocrine disorder that causes an overactive thyroid. This condition can also cause the thyroid to release cells to fight a non-existent infection in the eye. The antibodies that are released during the process can cause swelling and inflammation in the eye.

9. Ocular Herpes:

This is a herpes infection that can occur in and around the eyes. This condition is most common in children. Ocular herpes can look like a pink eye but does not always produce distinct lesions.

10. Blepharitis:

The bacteria that are present in and around the eyelids can cause a condition called blepharitis. People with this condition can have oily eyelids and dandruff-like flakes around the eyelashes.

11. Blocked Tear Duct:

When a tear duct is blocked, the eye will not be able to fully drain the tears and this can result in pain and redness. People with this condition can find their eyes sealed and shut upon working. It is also one of the main reasons for swollen eyelids.

12. Pink Eye:

Pink eye is also known as conjunctivitis and is the inflammation of the eye's conjunctiva. This is a thin and clear tissue that lines the eyelid and eyeball. Warm compress can also help in reducing the pain caused by conjunctivitis.