Swollen Lower Eyelid

Reasons for a Swollen Lower Eyelid

A swollen lower eyelid can be the cause of many things. In some cases, the swelling is more of an annoyance but other times, you might experience pain. If the problem is minor, swelling and discomfort will usually go away on its own but if improvement is not seen within a few days, you should talk to your doctor. The most common causes of a swollen lower eyelid include the following:

Allergies – Swelling around the eyes from allergies is actually quite common. This could be seasonal allergies, environmental allergies such as cat dander or dust, or even an allergic reaction to lotion or makeup.

Pink Eye – Another reason for a swollen lower eyelid is from a contagious condition known as pink eye or “conjunctivitis”. This problem is caused by both viruses and bacteria, which leads to swelling, as well as itching and discomfort.

Stye – Beneath the lower eyelid is a sebaceous gland that can become inflamed. When this happens, a type of pimple known as a stye develops. With this, you would experience a swollen lower eyelid due to a bacterial infection. You can use both over-the-counter and prescription topical ointments but to keep the stye from spreading or returning, it is essential to follow good hygiene practices.

Sinus Infection – If you develop a sinus infection, the tear ducts can become inflamed or blocked, which leads to a swollen lower eyelid. For this, you can use saline drops, place a hot compress on the eye, and/or have the doctor prescribe antibiotics.

Chalazion – When the tear duct becomes completely blocked and a stye forms within the sebaceous glands, you would see a bump or cyst development. While this can form on the upper eyelid, it is most commonly see on the swollen lower eyelid. To treat chalazion, all you need is to use cold compresses throughout the day.

Surgery – If surgery is needed to open a closed tear duct or when having fatty deposits removed with plastic surgery, swelling is expected. Typically, following the doctor’s orders would result in swelling disappearing within a few days to a week.

Eyelid Cellulitis – In this case, a bacterial infection occurs, which has many of the symptoms of a blocked tear duct but with more serious consequences. The challenge here is that the infection can quickly spread to the area behind the orbit, which is very painful. Cellulitis produces inflammation, itching, and a swollen lower eyelid.

If you notice a swollen lower eyelid that does not decrease within a few days or it becomes increasingly worse or more painful, seek medical attention. Depending on the condition, if left alone, you could experience serious problems, even loss of eyesight.