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Original poster

Swollen eyelid what is it and how to treat?

26 replies

Spottyhands · 11/04/2022 20:37

I'm abroad and my eyelid has swollen up and is quite painful. I feel miserable and I'm not sure from Dr Google if it needs treating.

Any idea what this is? Hopefully I've managed to attach a picture

Swollen eyelid what is it and how to treat?
OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 11/04/2022 20:40

Can you get some anti histamine and see if that helps? A cold compress too.

Original poster
Spottyhands · 11/04/2022 20:45

Thank you for the suggestion. I do have an antihistamine but I'm almost certain it's not an allergy. Started feeling sore at midday yesterday and has looked and felt progressively worse 🙁. It feels bruised.

OP posts:
SpeedofaSloth · 11/04/2022 20:49

Irritant reaction to something?

wouldukissafrog · 11/04/2022 20:49

DH had what looked like this at Christmas, few hot flannel presses agains it and we realised it was an ingrown/ caught eyelash - it released from the skin after a hot compress. The swelling went down almost instantly

Delia65 · 11/04/2022 20:50

Looks like a Stye to me. Infected hair follicle.Lots of old remedies for them. Bathing with warm milk is one! Or if you're feeling really brave a hot teaspoon will encourage it to drain

Petrarkanian · 11/04/2022 20:55

Looks like a stye.
My Grandma used to say rub it with a gold ring.

Original poster
Spottyhands · 11/04/2022 21:15

Thanks everyone. If it's just a stye I can relax a bit. When I've had a stye before I've been able to see the actual spot whereas this is swollen all over so thought it was something else. I'll try lots of hot compresses and hope something happens. It's so unsightly and sore.

OP posts:
SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 11/04/2022 21:23

Is it really watery?
Have you had a cold or sinus infection recently?

Eastereggglutton · 11/04/2022 21:31

is it a chalazion? my dd has suffered with this. doctors advise hot compresses but it can get infected and may need antibiotics.

BrambleyHedge · 11/04/2022 21:33

I have this at the moment. Not sure what it is so will check back! Can't go see anyone as have covid (got eye issue before covid so don't think it is a new symptoms)

CrocodilesCry · 11/04/2022 23:37

It looks to me like blepharitis - I have it and my eyes look like that during a flare-up. Is it crusty right on your eye lashes? Sometimes accompanied by a chalazion (not the same as a stye) that appears after a few days of the lid swelling.

Start by gently cleaning your eyelids and the very bases of your eyelashes several times a day with cooled boiled water with a little salt. Don't use baby shampoo. There are gels/creams/cleaning wipes you can use but I find saline just as good.

Once you get on top of it and the lid goes down, clean your eye lids with cotton buds in saline, concentrating on the base of the lashes every single day. If a lump appears, keep it clean and use hot compresses which may help it drain.

Beautiful3 · 12/04/2022 01:54

Salt in hot water. When cooled down, wipe the eye using cotton wool.

user1477249785 · 12/04/2022 02:44

I had this. Can't remember what it was called but I was given antibiotics and told that it could have been serious. See any eye specialist tomorrow

user1477249785 · 12/04/2022 02:46

Oh I found it. I had periorbital cellulitis. If it is that, it needs to be treated.

Original poster
Spottyhands · 12/04/2022 08:23

Thanks everyone. It's worse today so I'm off to the doctor's. Will report back

OP posts:
ShakespearesSisters · 12/04/2022 08:29

If you do bathe your eye make sure that the water has been boiled first. Water can contain a pathogen called Acanthamoeba which can lead to devastating consequences.

user1477249785 · 12/04/2022 17:57

How did you get on?

DaydreamerBetty · 12/04/2022 18:31

Try a small amount of rice in a sock which can be microwaved for approx 30 seconds. Be careful it can be extremely hot, so check on back of hand before applying to eye area. This can be applied as a warm compress which retains the heat for longer. Hold it on for as long as possible without burning yourself. I would probably do it before going to bed. Massage the lid and in the morning you might wake up with a lot of sleep which you can bathe with some cooled boiled salt water.

Anna197264 · 12/04/2022 18:32

How did you get on? My DD had something like this a few years ago & they were concerned about cellitius & she ended up on antibiotics. Hope you are okay.

thestraitofillinois · 12/04/2022 18:36

Agree with PP about it being a chalazion.

These can be incredibly painful and last a very long time. Even when that swelling subsides, you may be left with a bump on your eyelid for months or even over a year.

Apply heat to it regularly and when the pain lessens, you might want to gently massage the eyelid.

Original poster
Spottyhands · 12/04/2022 21:49

So the doctor I saw said it was just an allergic reaction which is so odd as I've never had anything like it before. He said it would have to be much redder to be cellulitis, I thought it was quite red but he said not enough. I have both antihistamine drops and antibiotic drops just in case of infection. Still super swollen and sore. Will report back.

OP posts:
Asiama · 12/04/2022 21:52

My eye lid looked like yours. Turned out to be this.

mft.nhs.uk/app/uploads/sites/2/2018/04/REH-196.pdf

ScribblingPixie · 12/04/2022 21:58

I'd not do hot compresses or massage for now in case you make it worse, OP. I'd just use the drops you've been given and leave it well alone.

Hohumfeelingglum · 12/04/2022 22:08

It could develop into cellulitis so keep an eye on it. I've had similar to this before though and a hot or cold compress as many times a day as you can really helps

user1477249785 · 12/04/2022 22:34

OP I don't want to stress you out but a doctor said the same to me and gave me drops. It was only when I saw an eye specialist that they recognised the severity and immediately put me on oral antibiotics. Keep an eye on it and don't hesitate to get more advice.