Swollen upper eyelids is a problem that almost every person has faced at least once in their life. It is good if the swelling can be removed with a simple cold compress, but what if it does not disappear and, moreover, is accompanied by pain and discomfort? In fact, such a defect can indicate completely different diseases, so you should not ignore the symptoms.
Why is my upper eyelid swollen?
Of course, there are many factors that can cause puffiness of the eyelids. Some of them are relatively harmless, while others signal the presence of a very dangerous disorder that requires immediate medical attention. So what do swollen upper eyelids indicate?
- For a start, it is worth mentioning an allergic reaction, since it is she who most often causes swelling. Cosmetics, protein products of animal metabolism, dust mites, etc. can act as allergens. And do not forget about seasonal allergies that occur when in contact with pollenplants. An allergic reaction, as a rule, is accompanied not only by swelling of the eyelids, but also by pain in the eyes and redness of the conjunctiva.
- Swollen upper eyelids are often observed with barley - inflammation of the sebaceous gland located at the root of the eyelash. Styes are usually accompanied by severe swelling, pain, and a noticeable pustule that bursts after a few days.
- Blepharitis is a disease caused by inflammation of the skin tissues of the eyelids. Most often, the inflammatory process is triggered by a bacterial infection, although viruses and fungi can also be the cause. Therefore, if the upper eyelid is reddened and swollen, it is worth making an appointment with an ophthalmologist.
- Another fairly common cause is conjunctivitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye. Puffiness of the eyelids is just one of the symptoms. This disease is also characterized by redness, pain and pain in the eyes, the formation of mucous or purulent discharge. By the way, inflammation of the conjunctiva can be caused by the activity of a bacterial, fungal or viral infection, as well as contact with certain chemicals, including those found in decorative cosmetics.
- Don't forget about other reasons. If swollen upper eyelids are the only symptom, then this may indicate the accumulation of excess fluid in the body. Puffiness can appear during pregnancy, changes in hormonal levels, against the background of taking a number of drugs - while no reddening of the skin is observed,no swelling, no soreness. Quite often, this condition occurs when there are problems with the functioning of the kidneys or developing kidney failure.
Swollen upper eyelids: what to do?
Of course, you can try to remove puffiness yourself. In this case, cool compresses from cucumber juice, parsley decoction, strong tea leaves and chamomile decoction will be great helpers. But, as you already understood, swollen eyelids can be a symptom of a number of very unpleasant diseases, in which home treatments are unlikely to help. That is why it is worth seeking help from a specialist. Only a doctor can determine the cause of the swelling and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
