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Why is my eyelid swollen? Related conditions and treatments

Medically reviewed by Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH
Board-Certified Family Physician
Updated May. 8, 2024  •  Published Jan. 11, 2024
Fact Checked
Why is my eyelid swollen?
In this article:

Swollen eyelids are caused by inflammation of the tissues around the eyes that can cause irritation, itchiness, or discomfort. Not to be confused with puffy eyes—a minor condition that may stem from excess sodium intake, sleep deprivation, or aging—eyelid swelling is typically a symptom of underlying conditions like allergies, infection, or injury. Although there are a range of potential causes, the good news is that most are easily treatable. 

Key takeaways:

  • Eyelid swelling is a common issue that may be caused by allergies, pink eye, styes, infections, a clogged oil gland (chalazion), cellulitis, injuries, and more.

  • Typically, a swollen eyelid does not require immediate medical attention.

  • A swollen eyelid typically resolves anywhere between a couple of days and a few weeks, depending on the cause.

  • Treatments of swollen eyelids vary by cause. Read more about treatments for pink eye, blepharitis, styes, and allergies here.

  • A swollen eyelid can often be managed with warm or cool compresses, eye drops, gentle cleansing, saline rinses, and anti-inflammatory or antihistamine medications.

  • Use coupons for swollen eyelid treatments—like Allegra Allergy, Alaway, and Ocusoft Hypochlor—to save up to 80%.

Why is my eyelid swollen?

Many different conditions and irritants can cause eyelid swelling. Here are a few of the most common.

Allergies

Anyone who’s stepped outside on a spring day and immediately started rubbing their eyes knows the plight of seasonal eye allergies. Common allergens—like dust, pollen, ragweed, animal dander, or mold—can trigger an allergic reaction. Histamines are released by the immune system, which can cause red eyes, swollen eyelids, itchiness, and watery eyes. 

Eyelid swelling is also possible for people with food allergies, particularly if they touch an allergy-inducing food and then rub their eyes. 

Styes

When an infected eyelash follicle becomes inflamed, it can form a stye—a red, tender, painful bump on your eyelid. Styes (hordeolum) often contain pus and may look like a boil or pimple. They typically appear near the edge of the eyelid, although they can also occur inside the lid. Often, the eyelid around the stye will appear red and swollen.

Chalazion

Like a stye, a chalazion is a small bump that appears on the eyelid. But unlike a stye, it doesn’t involve a bacterial infection of the eyelid. Instead, they occur when an ocular oil gland gets blocked, causing inflammation. They typically appear further back on the lid instead of the edge and may take longer to resolve. A chalazion can also cause the eyelid to become red and swollen.

Pink eye

Common among children but also possible in adults, pink eye (conjunctivitis) is an inflammation of the membrane that lines the inside of the eyelid and the whites of the eyes (conjunctiva). It often stems from a bacterial or viral infection but can also be caused by allergies, chemicals, or foreign objects in the eye. When the conjunctiva swells, so does the eyelid above it. 

RELATED: Pink eye vs. allergies

Blepharitis

A chronic condition, blepharitis occurs on either the outside or inside of the eyelid and can lead to inflammation, itchiness, irritation, dry eyes, and crusty flakes. It has a variety of possible causes, including bacterial eye infection, ocular rosacea, dandruff, allergies, makeup overuse, or poor hygiene. 

Another common cause of blepharitis is Demodex mites. These microscopic mites live around hair follicles and eyelashes, consuming dead skin cells and oil gland secretions. Most people have them, and they’re typically harmless. However, a large infestation around the eyelids can cause symptoms. 

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can occur anywhere on the body, including around the eyes. There are two types of cellulitis that affect the eyes: preseptal and orbital. Preseptal cellulitis (aka periorbital cellulitis) only affects the eyelid or superficial skin around the eye. It can occur after an eye injury, sinusitis, or an insect bite and more commonly affects young children. 

Orbital cellulitis is a much more serious condition characterized by an infection of the tissues around and behind the eye socket. It may cause swollen eyelids, bulging eyes, pain around the eye, inability to open or move the eye, discharge, fever, headaches, and vision loss. Orbital cellulitis requires immediate medical attention.

Eyelid eczema

Also called eyelid dermatitis, eyelid eczema comes in two different types. The more common one, irritant contact dermatitis, is a non-allergic reaction from an external substance, like detergents or makeup. The other, allergic contact dermatitis, is an allergic reaction to something like poison ivy or certain chemicals. Either type can cause rashes, itching, burning, or swelling in the eyelid and eye area. 

Graves’ disease

Graves’ disease is a thyroid disorder that causes the immune system to attack the gland, which then starts overproducing hormones. Immune cells may also attack the tissue behind the eyes, causing redness, swollen eyelids, irritation, inflammation, dry eye, bulging eyes, and, in rare cases, decreased vision. 

Ocular Herpes Simplex

Around 67% of people worldwide have herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), according to the World Health Organization. While it’s typically associated with cold sores, it can also affect the eyes. Herpes eye disease, or ocular herpes simplex, can affect any part of the eye, including the eyelid. Common symptoms include redness, irritation, sensitivity to light, headaches, rash, and reduced vision. 

This is not the same virus as genital herpes (HSV-2).

Insect bites

Mosquitos are a common summer pest, and they can bite any part of the body, including the area around the eyes. When the immune system senses a mosquito’s saliva, it sends histamines to the location, which causes swelling and redness. Spider bites, which may contain venom, can also cause swelling around the eyes, as can wasps or bee stings. 

Contact lenses

Contacts are discreet and convenient, but using them improperly may cause infection or irritation. Wearing damaged lenses, swimming while wearing them, not cleaning them or removing them correctly, or storing them in an unclean case can all irritate the eyes. People who wear contacts have a higher risk of developing giant papillary conjunctivitis—swelling of the membrane inside the eyelid. 

Why is my upper eyelid swollen?

The most common underlying causes of swelling in the upper eyelid are pink eye, styes, chalazion, cellulitis, and allergies. These conditions may also affect the lower eyelid.

Why is my bottom eyelid swollen?

The lower eyelid is susceptible to many of the same underlying conditions as the upper one. Puffiness or bags under the eyes may result from fluid retention, lack of sleep, salt intake, crying, smoking, or aging.

Why are both eyelids swollen?

Allergies, pink eye, cellulitis, blepharitis, and fluid retention may affect one or both eyelids. Styes and chalazion often only appear on one eyelid. 

Should I be worried about swollen eyelids?

A swollen eyelid might be irritating, but many times, that’s where it ends. The most common causes rarely present a medical emergency and require little treatment beyond self-care and eye irritation home remedies. Many causes will resolve on their own as long as you keep your eyes clean. 

However, certain symptoms can indicate more serious problems and should not go unaddressed. 

“Infections of the eyes and eyelid can present as swelling but move back and affect the brain in rare cases,” says Daniel Diamond, OD, FAAO, an Instructor of Optometric Sciences at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “If a person has severe pain, pain in eye movements, fever, constant blurred vision, or double vision, they should go to the ER for further treatment and evaluation.”

How is the cause of swollen eyelids diagnosed?

A primary care physician can usually diagnose and treat the cause of eyelid swelling with a brief exam. You may be referred to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) for more severe cases. 

When examining a swollen eyelid, a healthcare provider will often begin by asking a series of questions, which may include:

  • How long has the swelling lasted?

  • Does the swelling affect one or both eyelids?

  • What other symptoms have you been experiencing?

  • Have you had any recent trauma near the eye?

  • Do you wear contact lenses?

  • Do you have any known allergies?

  • Do you have any medical conditions, or are you taking medication that may cause swelling?

  • Have you recently changed facial soaps, moisturizers, makeup, or other skin care products?

Then, they’ll begin a physical examination to assess the eye and surrounding areas, checking the color, location, and severity of the swelling. Dr. Diamond says, “Looking at the lids, specifically the underside of the lids through a microscope, is usually all that you need to tell an allergic reaction from an infection from normal age-related changes.”

Yuna Rapaport, MD, MPH, the founder and CEO of Manhattan Eye, says her typical procedures include “a slit lamp exam with a microscope, extraocular movements (asking the patient to look in every direction), examining the underside of the eyelid by flipping the eyelids, and looking at the meibomian glands.” 

A swollen eyelid is rarely dire, yet a 2017 University of Michigan study showed that 1 in 4 eye-related ER visits aren’t really emergencies. The most common culprits are pink eye, blepharitis, and chalazia. That said, trauma to the eye, vision loss or distortion, and severe pain or swelling require immediate medical attention, as does orbital cellulitis. 

Is eyelid swelling contagious?

Viral or bacterial causes of pink eye are contagious. But almost every other underlying cause of swollen eyelids is not. Styes, chalazion, blepharitis, cellulitis, and Graves’ disease are not transmissible. And although HSV-1 is contagious, it rarely ever spreads from eye to eye.

Pink eye can come from a few different viruses and bacteria, so it spreads in various ways. The most common ways to catch it are via close personal contact, touching contaminated surfaces before rubbing the eyes, or through the air. Practicing good hygiene is the best way to prevent pink eye from spreading, especially by washing your hands after close contact with someone who has it. Pink eye is usually contagious for as long as symptoms are present.

How long does a swollen eyelid last?

The duration of eyelid swelling depends on its cause, how well a person cares for it, and how soon they receive medical treatment (if necessary). For example, allergic swelling might only last 24 hours, while a blepharitis flare-up or a chalazion might take several weeks or months to fully resolve.

According to Dr. Diamond, “Most causes of eyelid swelling will resolve on their own, but if anything lasts for more than a week without improving, it’s a good idea to go in and see an eye doctor to find out what's going on.”

How to reduce eyelid swelling

Most causes of eyelid swelling respond well to home remedies and won’t require additional treatment. Applying a cool compress can help reduce inflammation, while warm compresses may open blocked glands and reduce pain for chalazion and stye treatment. 

No matter the cause, cleaning the eye is essential. Using eye-safe wipes or rinses is often a good method. Eye drops will keep the eyes moist and reduce discomfort, and antihistamine eye drops can help with allergy-related swelling.

Treatment options for pink eye may involve topical antibiotics, allergy treatment, or steroids. Pink eye that is caused by a virus will not require antibiotics.

Doctors may prescribe a combination of antibiotics and corticosteroids to treat blepharitis, but only for certain types. If blepharitis is caused by a Demodex mite infestation, your provider may prescribe Xdemvy, the only FDA-approved Demodex blepharitis treatment. Most often, blepharitis can be treated with warm compresses, eyelid washes, and gentle massage.

Preseptal cellulitis will require an oral antibiotic like amoxicillin, and according to Dr. Rapaport, orbital cellulitis usually needs intravenous antibiotics at the hospital. 

Living with a swollen eyelid

Looking in the mirror at a swollen eyelid, it’s easy to worry that it might last forever. Yet most causes of eyelid swelling are temporary, so you won’t have to deal with it in the long term. 

Blepharitis can be a chronic condition, but that doesn’t mean the eyelid is always swollen. Rather, it manifests in flare-ups that may only last a few days at a time. 

Herpes eye disease is also chronic but functions the same way—coming and going in brief flare-ups. 

Puffy eyes (aka bags under the eyes) are different than swollen eyelids. Puffy eyes may result from fluid retention, lack of sleep, salt intake, crying, smoking, or aging.

Certain at-home remedies may help reduce inflammation and improve the appearance of swollen eyelids. Applying warm or cool compresses and sleeping with your head elevated may help. Using a gentle cleanser that is safe for the eyes will help most causes of swollen eyelids.

Most importantly, swollen eyelids are typically easy to treat

Most of the time, swollen eyelids will go away on their own or with simple treatments. But a few causes can be serious. Visit a healthcare professional for a swollen eyelid that is getting worse or not improving. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience vision loss or changes, fever, severe pain, or bulging eyes along with a swollen eyelid.

FAQs about swollen eyelid causes

Why is my upper eyelid swollen?

The most common underlying causes of swelling in the upper eyelid are pink eye, styes, chalazion, cellulitis, and allergies. These conditions may also affect the lower eyelid.

Why is my bottom eyelid swollen?

The lower eyelid is susceptible to many of the same underlying conditions as the upper one. Puffiness, or bags under the eyes, may result from fluid retention, lack of sleep, salt intake, crying, smoking, or aging.

Why are both eyelids swollen?

Allergies, pink eye, cellulitis, blepharitis, and fluid retention may affect one or both eyelids. Styes and chalazion often only appear on one eyelid. 

What’s next? Additional resources for people with eyelid swelling

Test and diagnostics

Treatments

Scientific studies and clinical trials

Medically reviewed by Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH
Board-Certified Family Physician

Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH, is a board-certified family physician, writer, editor, teacher, and consultant. She is a graduate of University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and trained at West Suburban Family Medicine in Oak Park, Illinois. She later completed a fellowship in community medicine at PCC Community Wellness and a master's in Public Health at the University of Illinois-Chicago. She lives with her family near Chicago.

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