You woke up and noticed those swollen eyelids, and wonder, “what are those?” “How did you get it?” “What are the causes of swollen eyelids?” The more important question you are probably searching in Google right now is “how to treat swollen eyelids?” Don’t worry because this article is everything that you need to know about lower swollen eyelids.
What Are Swollen Eyelids?
A swollen eyelid occurs when the connective tissues surrounding the eye have an infection or excess fluid (edema). Swollen eyes may be painful or not, and the condition can affect both the upper and lower eyelids. A swollen eye has many causes, including eye infections, eye injury or trauma, and (most commonly) allergies.
Eyelid swelling may be a symptom of a more severe, potentially sight-threatening health problems, such as orbital cellulite, Graves Disease, and eye herpes. If your symptoms continue, intensify, or alter, you must consult your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam.
Symptoms of Swollen Eyelids
How do you know if it is swollen eyelids or just fluid retention while you were asleep? Well, there are some symptoms that you have to consider. You must not panic whenever you see that you have lower swollen eyelids because it is common for most people.
Symptom #1 – Itchy eyes
The allergies will result from your swollen eyelids. Some form of allergy most likely causes itchy eyes. An irritating substance—such as pollen, dust, and animal dander—causes the release of compounds in the tissues around the eyes, called histamines, resulting in scratching, redness, and swelling.
Symptom #2 – Light Sensitivity
Your eyelids that swell as a response to photophobia or sensitivity to light, which is an aversion of light. Sources like sunshine, fluorescent light, and incandescent light can all cause pain and a need to squint or close your eyes. Headaches can accompany sensitivity to light, too.
Symptom #3 – Watery Eyes
The watery eyes will trigger swollen eyelids. Why is it that triggers watery eyes? Chronic irritation from dry eye syndrome may result in over-production of the wet portion of tears formed by the upper eyelid glands (lacrimal glands).
Symptom #4 – Red eyes
Red or bloodshot eyes have many causes and are very common. Red-eye is typically a symptom of other conditions in the eye, which may vary from benign to severe.
Symptom #5 – Eye Discharge
Eye discharge, or ‘sleep’ in your eyes, may cause your eyelids to swell. The eye discharge is a mixture of mucus, wax, skin cells, and other debris accumulated when you sleep in the corner of your eye. It may be moist and sticky, or dry and crusty depending on how much moisture has evaporated in the discharge.
Symptom #6 – Dry eyes
Dry eye syndrome can cause a variety of problems, including swollen eyelids. Dry-eye syndrome is due to the persistent lack of proper lubrication and moisture on the eye surface. The symptoms of dry eyes vary from mild but persistent eye irritation to severe inflammation and even frontal eye scarring.
Symptom #7 – Eye pain
Eye pain is also accompanied by blurred vision, redness (bloodshot eyes), light sensitivity, and eyelid swelling. Eye pain is a catch-all sentence for expressing pressure on, under, or around the eye.
12 Causes And Treatments Of Lower Swollen Eyelid
A swollen eyelid is something more than a superficial nuisance. It can be frightening if the swelling is too extreme to interfere with a person’s ability to see. Most swollen eyelid cases are harmless, but even minor issues can be quite dangerous. So, if a person has swollen eyelids, seeking treatment from an optometrist or ophthalmologist is a good idea. When somebody has swollen eyelids before, treating the condition at home for a few days is usually safe.
1.Stye
A stye (hordeolum) is an eyelid-infection of a gland. The most common form of style is infecting the eyelashes at the base of the tear glands. Styes occur within the eyelid because of contaminated oil glands, too. Styles usually start as red, itchy, painful, swollen lumps. They tend to mimic a pimple for a few hours or a few days. Others make their heads painted.
The infection affects only a single tear or oil gland in most cases, which needs no care. Hot compresses can help with the pain. People should avoid eye items, including creams for the skin and hair until the stye is gone. Also, they should never attempt to pop the stye as this can spread the infection and damage the eye. When a person has a style experiencing any of these symptoms, they should contact an eye doctor.
2.Chalazion
A chalazione seems a trend, but it’s not an illness. Alternatively, when an oil gland in the eyelid is clogged, a chalazione occurs. Those with one chalazion appear to get more, and the bumps will grow bigger. Chalazia, however, seldom hurt. After a few days, they usually show themselves, just like a pimple. Warm compresses can help to clear a chalazione faster.
It can interfere with vision when chalazia grow very high and can become painful. Difference between a chalazione, a style, or an eye infection may also be difficult to tell. If, after a few days, the bump doesn’t go away, or there are other symptoms of a disease, such as fever, a person should contact an eye doctor.
3.Allergies
When itchy red, watery eyes follow a swollen eyelid, it may be an eye allergy. Eyes may be irritated by dust, pollen, and other common allergens, causing an allergic reaction. Allergies to the eyes are rarely harmful, but they can be irritating. The best treatment method is avoiding established allergens, but some people get relief by taking antihistamines, including Benadryl.
Over-the-counter eye drops, which can be ordered online, can also help with itchiness and dryness, but people can visit an eye doctor if the symptoms continue. The doctor may recommend allergy testing or drug therapy.
4.Exhaustion
Exhaustion or weariness may cause the eyelids to look puffy and swollen. The accumulation of water can also affect the eyelids overnight. In the morning, it can make them look bloated and puffy, mainly if the person hasn’t slept well. Applying a cold compress when lying on a pillow with the head elevated will help. Drinking a glass of water will help to reduce fluid accumulation and swelling as well.
5.Crying
Crying may break tiny blood vessels in the eyes and eyelids, mainly if crying is lifelong or aggressive. Swollen eyelids that occur when a person is crying may be the result of fluid retention, caused by decreased blood flow to the region around the eyes. Rest, cold compresses, head lift, and drinking water can help.
6.Cosmetics
Hard weeping can cause fluid accumulation in the eyelid, causing it to look swollen. If cosmetics and skincare ingredients get into the eyes, they can irritate the eyes and the surrounding tissue and produce a swollen, red, painful mess. Often, allergic reactions to these products may cause swollen eyelids.
If people feel burning and swollen eyes, they can use online and artificial drugstore tears (eye drops) to help soothe the pain. If it continues to burn or gets worse, the person should see an eye doctor. To relieve the discomfort, stop using eye-whitening drops or any other drugs. In cosmetics and skincare products, these ingredients may have unforeseen chemical reactions.
7.Orbital Cellulitis
Orbital cellulitis is an infection that is deep inside the eyelid tissue. It can spread quickly and sometimes is extremely painful. Even a small cut can bring in enough bacteria to cause orbital cellulite. If the eyelid is very painful, red, streaked, or swollen, a person should seek medical emergency treatment. Cellulite is a severe infection that needs treatment with antibiotics. Based on the extent of the Disease, intravenous ( IV) antibiotics may need to be administered.
8. Graves’ Disease
Graves’ Disease is an endocrine disorder that causes an overactive thyroid. This condition can cause the cells to be mistakenly released from the thyroid to combat a non-existent eye infection. The antibodies it produces will cause the eye to swell and become inflamed. A variety of therapies for Graves’ Disease are available, including thyroid surgery and various drugs.
9.Ocular Herpes
Ocular herpes is an infection of herpes in and around the eyes. Although everyone may contract herpes from the eyes, it is most common in children. Ocular herpes may look very much like a pink eye, although it doesn’t necessarily cause distinct lesions. For herpes to be diagnosed, a doctor may need to take an eye culture to test for the infection. Although the virus remains in the body, and there is no cure, the symptoms may be treated by antiviral medications.
10.Blepharitis
Removing proper eye makeup can help avoid blepharitis and other conditions which can cause swollen eyelids. Many people have more bacteria at their eyelids and around them than others. These bacteria may cause blepharitis, a disease. Persons with blepharitis can have oily eyelids around their eyelashes, and dandruff-like flakes. Many people with blepharitis experience painful eyelids that are inflamed.
Blepharitis is a chronic disease in which there is no cure. Alternatively, symptom outbreaks begin to get better, and then worse. Warm compresses, thorough removal of any eye makeup, and can aid eyelid scrubs. An ophthalmologist or optometrist can prescribe an ointment for the antibiotics. When an outbreak of blepharitis is worse than previous ones, or if the pain is severe, please contact an eye doctor.
11.Blocked Tear Duct
If a tear duct is blocked, the eye can not drain tears entirely, resulting in eyelid pain and redness. People with blocked eyelids can see crusty drainage, too. After waking, their eyes can be shut. Newborns and babies are especially vulnerable to obstructed tear ducts. Many symptoms improve when they’re 1 year old.
In most cases, a tear duct that has been blocked is irritating but not harmful. Hot compresses can relieve swelling and help drain tear ducts. Massage the area gently to relieve pressure and to clear the pipe. Often, a blocked tear duct may get contaminated. If the eyelid is extremely sore, or if a person has a fever, they should seek medical treatment. A doctor may have to conduct a surgical procedure to open it if blocked tear ducts may not clear up.
12.Pink eye
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is conjunctive inflammation of the eye. It is the transparent, thin tissue between the eyelid and the eyeball. Those with pink eyes typically have red or blue eyeballs and may have discomfort, itching, and swollen eyelids.
The most common form of conjunctivitis is a viral infection that takes 7-10 days to clear up. A bacterial infection, however, can also cause conjunctivitis. Allergies or irritants such as perfume also irritate the eye and cause conjunctivitis.
Conclusion
Just like other eye conditions, swollen eyelids happen due to different factors. You must consult with experts if symptoms are getting worse each day. It is because lower swollen eyelids can also be a sign of other severe conditions. More importantly, stay calm at all times from the moment that you see those swollen eyelids. Look for expert solutions, and do it consistently. Wondering why people put cucumber on their eyes? We have some intersting facts about it here.