Eyes

Swollen eyelid

Puffiness or swelling of one or both eyelids — usually caused by a stye, blepharitis, an allergic reaction or a minor infection — but occasionally a sign of a serious deep infection around the eye or of a dangerous allergic reaction.

Education and reference only. This explains the common causes of swollen eyelid and the warning signs that need urgent help, in plain language — it is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a clinician. If you feel very unwell or are worried, seek medical help.

Written by Meds Global Health Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS, Founder & Clinical Director · Last reviewed · How we review

Quick answer

What is swollen eyelid?

A swollen eyelid is puffiness, fullness or swelling of the upper or lower lid, which may be red, tender, itchy or simply baggy. Most causes are local and minor: a stye or a blocked oil gland forms a tender lump, inflamed lid margins from blepharitis cause crusting and puffiness, and conjunctivitis can swell the lids alongside a red, discharging eye.

  • Get urgent help: Seek same-day emergency assessment for a hot, red, swollen eyelid with eye pain, the eye looking pushed forward or bulging, double vision or trouble moving the eye — this can be a deep infection behind the eye (orbital cellulitis). Call 999 if eyelid swelling comes with swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a widespread rash — this may be anaphylaxis.
  • Self-care: For a mild, locally swollen eyelid you can often ease symptoms at home.

About swollen eyelid

A swollen eyelid is puffiness, fullness or swelling of the upper or lower lid, which may be red, tender, itchy or simply baggy. Most causes are local and minor: a stye or a blocked oil gland forms a tender lump, inflamed lid margins from blepharitis cause crusting and puffiness, and conjunctivitis can swell the lids alongside a red, discharging eye. Allergic reactions — to pollen, cosmetics, insect bites or foods — produce soft, itchy, often symmetrical swelling that can come on quickly. The swellings that matter most are those that signal the infection has spread deep behind the eye, and those that are part of a whole-body allergic reaction. A hot, red, painful, swollen eyelid with the eye looking pushed forward, double vision or difficulty moving the eye is a same-day emergency, and lid swelling appearing with swelling of the lips or tongue and breathing difficulty is a sign of life-threatening anaphylaxis.

When to get help

Call 999 now if…

Call 999 or go to A&E if swollen eyelid comes with any of these warning signs:

  • Seek same-day emergency assessment for a hot, red, swollen eyelid with eye pain, the eye looking pushed forward or bulging, double vision or trouble moving the eye — this can be a deep infection behind the eye (orbital cellulitis).
  • Call 999 if eyelid swelling comes with swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a widespread rash — this may be anaphylaxis.
  • Seek urgent help for eyelid swelling with a high fever, severe pain or reduced or blurred vision.
  • Seek prompt assessment for rapidly spreading redness and swelling around the eye, especially in a child.
  • Seek urgent help for eyelid swelling following an injury or insect bite that is worsening quickly.

When to see a doctor

A mildly puffy, itchy or tender eyelid from a stye, blepharitis or a minor allergy can usually be managed at home or with advice from a pharmacist. Seek same-day emergency help if the eyelid is hot, red and painful with the eye bulging, double vision or trouble moving the eye, as this can mean a deep infection that threatens sight. Call 999 if lid swelling appears with swelling of the lips or tongue and breathing difficulty. See a clinician promptly for swelling with fever, severe pain or any change in vision, and for swelling that is spreading quickly, particularly in a child.

999Emergency — call 999 or go to A&E
111Urgent advice — call NHS 111 or use 111 online
GPNon-urgent — see your GP or pharmacist

Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.

What can cause it

Common causes of swollen eyelid

Swollen eyelid has many possible causes. Each links to a full, plain-language guide to that condition — what it is, how it's treated and when to seek help.

Blepharitis Eyes Inflamed, crusty lid margins cause puffy, red, sometimes itchy eyelids, usually affecting both eyes. Stye Eyes A blocked, infected gland at the lash line forms a tender red lump that swells the lid as it points. Conjunctivitis Eyes Inflammation of the surface of the eye can swell the lids alongside redness, grittiness and discharge. Cellulitis Skin A spreading bacterial infection of the skin and tissues around the eye causes hot, red, tender swelling that can become serious. Angioedema Allergy and immunology A deeper allergic swelling causes soft, sudden puffiness of the eyelids and face, sometimes with lip and tongue swelling. Hay fever & allergic rhinitis Allergy and immunology Allergy to pollen, dust or pets can swell and itch the eyelids along with watering, sneezing and a blocked nose.

What helps

Self-care and what you can do

For a mild, locally swollen eyelid you can often ease symptoms at home. A warm compress held gently against the lids for several minutes a few times a day helps a stye or blepharitis settle and an oil gland unblock, while a cool compress soothes the puffiness and itch of an allergic reaction. Keep the lids clean by gently wiping away crusts with cooled boiled water, avoid rubbing or squeezing any lump, and leave eye make-up and contact lenses off until the lid has recovered. If you think an allergy is to blame, try to identify and avoid the trigger such as a new cosmetic or pollen. Seek advice rather than continuing self-care if the swelling is severe, spreading, very painful or affecting your vision.

Answers

Swollen eyelid: frequently asked questions

What usually causes a swollen eyelid?

Most often a stye, inflamed lid margins (blepharitis), conjunctivitis or an allergic reaction to pollen, cosmetics or an insect bite. These tend to be uncomfortable but minor. Less commonly, a spreading infection or a whole-body allergic reaction causes swelling that needs urgent care.

When is a swollen eyelid an emergency?

Seek same-day help if the lid is hot, red and painful with the eye bulging, double vision or trouble moving the eye, as this can be a deep infection behind the eye. Call 999 if swelling spreads to the lips or tongue with breathing difficulty, which can be anaphylaxis.

Should I put a warm or cold compress on a swollen eyelid?

Use a warm compress for a stye or blepharitis to help the gland unblock and settle, and a cool compress to soothe the puffiness and itch of an allergic reaction. Avoid squeezing any lump, and stop and seek advice if swelling is severe or affects your vision.

Why is only one eyelid swollen?

One-sided swelling often points to a local cause such as a stye, a blocked gland or a localised infection, whereas allergic swelling is more often on both sides. Any rapidly worsening, hot, painful one-sided swelling should be assessed urgently.

Sources

Where this is drawn from

  • NICE CKS: Periorbital and orbital cellulitis.
  • Royal College of Ophthalmologists: lid problems.

Related symptoms

Red eyeRedness of the white of one or both eyes, often from irritation or a minor infection.…Eye painPain in or around the eye — often from a surface irritation, infection or dryness, but som…Facial swellingSwelling of part or all of the face — which can come from an allergic reaction, infection …Itchy eyesAn itchy, watering or gritty sensation in one or both eyes that is most often due to aller…Sticky or discharging eyeA sticky, crusty or running discharge from the eye — which can be watery, mucky or pus-lik…

Tell us what you need. We'll route it to the right expert.

Request a proposal, book a scoping call, or speak to our team directly.

Request a Proposal ☎ +44 7448 439750
☎ Call Get a Proposal