Waking up with a swollen eyelid can be
disconcerting. Not only can it make it difficult to see clearly, but it
also could be indicative of an underlying condition. You can treat your
swollen eyelid at home, but if it doesn't respond to treatment, it's
worth giving your doctor a call.
Step 1
Observe if there are other symptoms. If the area
near your eyelashes is red, swollen and itchy, it might be blepharitis.
This unsightly but common condition is caused by the oil glands near
your eyelashes getting plugged and an overgrowth of bacteria occurring
at the base of your eyelashes. It won't cause damage to your eyes but
can be recurring. Treat it by using a warm, damp cloth to gently wipe
the eyelids on a regular basis. If it persists, contact your doctor for
an antibiotic ointment.
Step 2
Note if your eyelids are scaly and thickened. If
they are, you might have lice. Common in very young children, you can
see the activity of the adult louse at the base of the eyelashes. Don't
treat with an anti-lice product, as these are not safe near the eyes.
Instead, use petroleum jelly or a non-medicated ointment on the eyelid
to suffocate the lice eggs and prevent further louse from forming.
Step 3
Examine your soap or makeup. If your eyelid is
swollen and extremely itchy and red, it may be contact dermatitis. This
occurs when your eyelids have a reaction to a new soap, detergent or
makeup product. Soaps that can cause this reaction include sodium or
potassium salts; these types of soaps are often antibacterial. Look for
makeup that is clearly labeled as non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and
fragrance free. If you've experienced issues in the past with switching
makeup, do a patch test on the inside of your wrist prior to using the
makeup on your face. Wash your eye gently with lukewarm water to rinse
the product off, and stop using the product.
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Step 4
Observe if your eye is irritated in addition to
your eyelid. If your eye is red, itchy and swollen and full of watery
discharge, you may conjunctivitis, also know as "pink eye." Caused by
either an allergy, viral infection or bacterial infection, pink eye
should be resolved with the help of your doctor. She will examine your
eye using a slit lamp microscope and may take a sample to identify the
bacteria, if that is the cause. Bacterial conjunctivitis, which
manifests with stringy discharge that may cause your eyelids to stick
together, is treated with wide-spectrum antibiotic drops or ointments.
Allergic conjunctivitis is treated with artificial tears to help soothe the eye, and cool compresses. There is no treatment for viral conjunctivitis, though symptoms can be manged with artificial tears and cool compresses; severe cases may require the use of steroid drops to minimize swelling.
Allergic conjunctivitis is treated with artificial tears to help soothe the eye, and cool compresses. There is no treatment for viral conjunctivitis, though symptoms can be manged with artificial tears and cool compresses; severe cases may require the use of steroid drops to minimize swelling.
Step 5
Consider whether it's a sunburn. If you forgot to
put sunscreen on your eyelids, you may have been in the sun too long. In
this case, you can use a cold compress to ease the swelling and make
sure to wear sunglasses in future. If the swelling doesn't subside
within a day or so, contact your doctor.
