Swollen eyelids and eye pain - causes

A lot of fluid in the intercellular space leads to the fact that the eyelids swell. What can be shown both on one eye, and on both. This symptom may be evidence of certain diseases. The causes of swollen eyelids and treatment are described in the article.

Associated symptoms

With pain in the eyes and swelling of the eyelid, the appearance of:

• dark circles under the eyes;
• increased pressure under the skin;
• expansion of small vessels near the eyes;
• temperature increase;
• lacrimation
• perspiration and itching;
• sensations of thorns in the eyes;
• redness
• peeling of the skin of the eyelids;
• sore eyes;
• decrease in visual acuity;
• headache.

If one eyelid is swollen, the cause may be infection, as well as the presence of inflammation. In this case, you should not try to take any measures yourself, it is better to consult a doctor.

Causes

Why did the upper eyelid swell? The simplest reason is the large intake of fluids in the near future. If edema occurs rarely, then this does not pose a health hazard.

When swollen eyelids are a common occurrence, a medical examination is required to identify the ailment. Edema also occurs for other reasons, for example, with changes in the hormonal system in women during menstruation.

Inflammation

The causes of swollen eyelids can be an inflammatory process. This is often associated with:

1. Barley. In this case, there is swelling of the upper eyelid. A rounded formation is noticeable to the touch. Swelling of the right eyelid or left. A rare occurrence is when several barley is formed. Hyperemia also occurs - a local increase in temperature.
2. Conjunctivitis. This disease is inflammation of the conjunctiva. In this case, the eyelids swell and blush, lacrimation, redness of the sclera occurs.
3. Purulent diseases - erysipelas, endophthalmitis. In these cases, the appearance of fever, pain, lacrimation, swelling, pus.

With erysipelas, other symptoms also arise: hot skin over a painful swollen area. In complex cases, the appearance of gangrene, bleeding ulcers is likely. With furunculosis, one or more boils are formed - this is a rounded purulent formation that affects the hair follicle, sebaceous gland and surrounding connective tissue.

Endophthalmitis is a strong inflammation of the internal structures of the organs of vision. With it, pronounced hyperemia of the sclera, visual impairment, lacrimation is observed.

If the eyelid swells and turns red in a child, the causes may be the same as in adults. Only the doctor can accurately determine the factor that led to this.

Non-inflammatory processes

Swollen and reddened upper eyelids as a symptom:

1. Kidney disease - glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, amyloidosis, renal failure. With these ailments, the upper eyelids usually swell in both eyes. They are pale, this phenomenon manifests itself in the morning.
2. Ailments of the heart and blood vessels: cardiomyopathies, cardiosclerosis, heart failure. Swelling occurs in the evening, after rest disappear. They are firm to the touch, and bluish in color.
3. Benign neoplasms on the upper eyelid: papilloma, fibroma, lipoma. In appearance they have a rounded shape, do not show pain.
4. Malignant neoplasms - oncology. At first, the disease does not manifest itself. Then a swelling may occur in the corner of the eyelid or in its center. In the later stages, many symptoms occur: lacrimation and redness, pain, ulceration, bleeding. Common signs include weakness, weight loss, pallor of the skin.

Swollen eyelids in infants can appear for the same reasons as in adults. Treatment will depend on the factors that led to this condition.

Allergy

If the upper eyelid is swollen and reddened, then the cause may be an allergic reaction:

1. Quincke's edema. It occurs suddenly and grows rapidly. A swelling of the throat and tongue may still occur. Usually, allergens that enter the body become the cause. Most often, this condition causes honey, chicken protein, citruses, pollen of flowering plants, preservatives, dust, and some medications. With Quincke's edema, urgent medical attention is required, since this condition is dangerous.
2. Allergy of mild form. Appears from exposure to various allergens, to which a person has a high sensitivity. In this case, itching, pain in the eyes, swelling of the upper eyelids can be.

If the child has swollen and reddened eyelids, then this is often associated with allergies. In any case, to clarify the reasons, you need to contact a specialist.

Mechanical reasons

Swollen eyelids and exposure to mechanical factors:

1. Drinking a large amount of fluid at night. These edema disappears quickly. This phenomenon occurs from excessive drinking water, alcohol abuse, sugary carbonated drinks. If the cause is eliminated, the tissue will not swell.
2. Eye injuries. These include a bruise, a blow, a wound, a rehabilitation period after surgery. At the initial examination, it will be noticeable that the person has a swollen eyelid and is sore. Redness of the skin at the site of injury is observed. The pain appears when blinking, touching.
3. Foreign body. Swollen and reddened upper eyelids arise from the ingress of metal chips, coarse dust. There is lacrimation, pain in the eye.

These reasons are one of the most common in both adults and children.

After sleep

The intercellular space at night is filled slowly due to the long stay of a person in a horizontal position. The blood flow worsens a little, and therefore swelling occurs. Often this is associated with problems of the genitourinary system. And if alcohol was drunk in the evening, then in the morning swollen upper eyelids will be observed.

After sleep, this phenomenon occurs due to:

• use of low-quality cosmetics;
• overeating smoked and salty foods;
• renal failure;
• blood flow disorders;
• development of heart and vascular diseases.

If the swollen upper eyelids are constant, then a doctor's consultation is necessary. Complications are likely in the form of atrophy of cell parenchyma, eye sclerosis, decreased vision, tissue tightening, replacement of cells with parenchymal cells.

In the mornings, eye swelling appears from:

• allergies
• insect bite;
• mechanical damage.

Drops that eliminate irritation and swelling can eliminate morning swelling. This is "Sulfacetamide", "Vizin", "Lycontin." Other eye drops are also effective - Ketotifen, Cromohexal.

In children

If the child often swells the eyelid, then you need to contact a pediatrician. The reasons for this phenomenon are:

• introducing new foods into the diet;
• taking antihistamines;
• penetration of metallic dust into the eyes;
• contact with pollen.

Factors can be contagious. This can lead to viral, bacterial conjunctivitis. This frequent and infectious phenomenon leads to swelling of the orbit, itching, discharge of pus.

It is necessary to take antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. Another cause is intracranial pressure. To establish a diagnosis, you need to conduct a series of studies in the laboratory. Regularly occurring symptoms should not be ignored.

Diagnostics

If swelling of the upper eyelids occurs, consult a doctor. The specialist usually asks when and under what circumstances this symptom occurred, as well as how long it lasts. Diagnostics is performed using:

• general blood test;
• general analysis of urine;
• biochemical blood test;
• electrocardiography;
• ultrasound examination of the abdominal.

These procedures allow you to accurately determine the reason why the eyelids swell and eyes hurt. Only after confirming the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes treatment to eliminate the discomfort.

First aid

In order to avoid the consequences of an eyelid injury, first aid must be performed. In case of contact with chemicals, rinse with plenty of cool water. After that, they are covered with a napkin, and then consult a doctor.

If a speck, cilium or other object has penetrated into the eye, then you need to cause tears, squinting tightly. This allows you to clean your eyes. When a speck penetrates a noticeable part of the eyeball or lower eyelid, it can be eliminated with a soft paper towel or scarf. If it is located on top, then the upper eyelid should be pulled back and removed with a napkin.

If it was not possible to fix the problem on your own, then the eye must be covered with a napkin and consult a doctor. Foreign bodies cannot be removed on their own if metal chips have penetrated. Or the object penetrated the iris, the eyeball.

Treatment

If the upper eyelid swells, what should I do? Treatment depends on the cause:

1. Barley. The painful place is treated with "Tetracycline", "Erythromycin", "Gentamicin."
2. Conjunctivitis. For treatment, eye drops with an antimicrobial effect are used. This is "Albucid", "Tobrex", "Phloxal."
3. Purulent ailments. It is necessary to take antibacterial agents intravenously (Ceftriaxone, Cefotaxime), in the form of eye ointments or drops (Tobrex, Albucid).
4. Somatic ailments. Treatment should be performed by specialized specialists. In case of kidney diseases, an appeal to a therapist and a nephrologist is required, for heart ailments - to a therapist and cardiologist. In oncology - to an oncologist, ophthalmologist, dermatologist.
5. Dermatitis and allergies. Complex therapy allows you to get rid of edema. Enterosorbents are effective - Enterosgel, Polysorb, Smecta. They also use antihistamines - Cetrin, Suprastin, Tavegil. In difficult cases, drugs such as Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone are used. Topically applied drops are Dexamethasone and Allergodil.
6. In the presence of a foreign body, edema is removed by drops of "Visin". Prior to this, foreign body extraction is required.
7. If the lower eyelid is swollen and hurts from trauma after the operation, then Vizin drops are used.

The use of medications usually helps to solve the problem of swelling of the eyelid. In most cases, unpleasant symptoms disappear after the first use. If the swelling appears constantly, then do not ignore the problem. Timely diagnosis and treatment can quickly eliminate the cause of swelling of the eyelid.

Folk remedies

Alternative methods of treatment are based on the use of herbal decoctions. The following products can be purchased in filter bags at a pharmacy: herbal collection of diuretics, lingonberry leaf, flaxseed. For a quick result, ice cubes from a parsley decoction are put on the eyes. If the eyelid has swollen in the baby, then it is better not to take any independent actions. It is necessary to consult a doctor.

You can make a compress of cottage cheese. It will take 1 tbsp. l the product, which is folded in cheesecloth, is applied to the site of swelling. Leave for the night. And so for 2-3 weeks.

An effective measure is to take a shower to normalize metabolism, improve blood circulation. The swollen eyelid must be held under a stream of cold water. The procedure is performed twice a day.

A decoction based on sage helps. It will take 1 tbsp. l the raw materials, which are kept in a water bath for 20 minutes, are filtered. Take should be 1/3 cup 3 times a day.

In the presence of edema of the upper eyelid, an herbal solution of chamomile, calendula and strong tea is prepared. All are mixed, and then the solution is washed eyes.

Parsley seeds (2 tbsp. L) are poured with boiling water (250 ml). The remedy languishes on fire, and then filtered. It is necessary to take 2 tbsp. l thrice a day.

Flax seeds are a natural diuretic. For the second remedy, 4 tbsp will be required. l seeds to which add 1 liter of water. It is required to boil and let the composition brew. Take it ½ cup in a warm form.

Carminative diuretic effects are flax, parsley, carrots. You can make soup puree, which will get rid of swelling of the eyes in adults and children.

To obtain an anti-allergenic mask, chop parsley, add sour cream in a 1: 2 ratio and perform lotions. Compresses based on infusion of chamomile, black and green tea are also used.

A mask of apple, cucumber and potatoes helps. Products are grated, they must be applied in a warm form. You can also use pharmacy lifting serums.

The use of folk remedies is effective and safe, so they are suitable for adults and children.

Other treatments

In addition to the indicated methods of therapy, other methods also help:

1. Mesotherapy The procedure consists in the introduction of microinjections of special active substances into the skin.
2. Physiotherapy. Subcutaneous lymph nodes are stimulated by microcurrent therapy.
3. Massage. To restore the lymphatic system, apply a hardware vacuum-roller or conventional manual. These types of massage stimulate lymphatic drainage - removal of excess fluid from the intercellular space. Due to improved outflow, swollen eyelids will no longer bother.
4. Cosmetical tools. Creams, masks, serums, lotions help eliminate swelling and inflammation.
5. In some cases, swelling occurs for cosmetic reasons that blepharoplasty can help eliminate. This is a surgical procedure that is prescribed to restore the elasticity of the skin of the eyelids, eliminate bags and swelling. Using the operation, you can also change the section of the eyes.

All of these methods, although effective, should be prescribed by a doctor. The method of treatment depends on the cause of the swelling.

What should be considered?

If the eyelids are swollen, the eyes hurt and watery, then the following actions can not be performed to prevent complications:

1. Warm up a sore spot, if the cause is an inflammatory disease of the upper eyelid.
2. Squeeze pustules or pierce them with non-sterile objects.
3. Use decorative cosmetics, as this can lead to sepsis, meningitis.

When the cause of the swelling is clear, then the elimination of provoking factors is required:

1. If there is pain in the orbit, then contact a specialist.
2. If there is constant swelling in the morning, you need to go to an appointment with a therapist. Probably a problem in the kidneys, the metabolic process. The doctor will direct the patient to take the necessary tests.
3. If the problem of periodic swelling does not disappear after applying alternative methods of treatment, then consult a doctor for prescribing medications. Usually prescribed antibiotics, antihistamines for instillation into the eyes. They will help eliminate the unpleasant phenomenon in a short time.

If the cause is unknown and folk remedies do not help, then self-medication can lead to complex consequences. It is advisable to identify the factors that led to this, as well as start treatment.

Prevention

Swelling of the eyelids can be prevented if effective preventive measures are observed:

1. Requires a restriction of fluid intake 2 hours before bedtime.
2. Alcohol should be excluded.
3. Salt and sweet foods should be consumed as little as possible. Eyes swell and because salt and glucose are considered as osmotically active components, they retain water and disrupt its excretion.
4. Timely treatment of diseases of the eyes, kidneys and heart is necessary.
5. During work in production, protective masks must be used.
6. In bright sunshine, wearing sunglasses is required.

If even following the recommendations, there is swelling of the eyelids and pain in the eyes, medical attention is needed. Only a doctor can provide advice on effective treatment.