10 Causes of Swollen Eyelids Other Than Insect Bites

What are the other causes of swollen eyelids other than mosquito bites or other insect bites?

Eyelid swelling occurs as a result of exposure to an irritation due to a microbe; due to a sting; or after accumulation of too much fluid in the eyelid.

There may be swelling of the eyelids or one of them, and it may be accompanied by a feeling of pain in some cases while it is not painful in other cases, and itching may also be raised in it in some cases.

Eyelid swelling has several causes, the severity of which ranges from mild to serious, and the most important of these reasons are the following:

  1. Having an allergy

just as it may affect any part of the body, the allergy may affect the eye as well. And it occurs when the immune system in the body reacts excessively against any foreign body, and these external bodies may be either dirt, eye drops, contact lenses, traces of pets, or the insect saliva after biting. When the eye is exposed to one of these external bodies, the immune system secretes a chemical called histamine, in an attempt to protect the eye.

And histamine affects the blood vessels, causing them to expand and swell, and it causes itching in the mucous membranes, and it also works on causing redness and increased tears in the eyes.

The most common eye allergy symptoms include:
Red, swollen or itchy eyes; burning or tearing of the eyes; and sensitivity to light.

  1. Conjunctivitis

The conjunctiva is a thin mucous membrane that lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the white of the eye (or what is called the sclera). The conjunctiva may become inflamed as a result of either an allergy or a bacterial or viral infection.

The conjunctivitis is called pink eye as well, and it is usually accompanied by swelling of the eyelid, in addition to itching, redness, and increased tears.

  1. Suffering from eye Meibomianitis

It usually appears as swelling and redness on the edge of the eyelid, and results from a bacterial infection that leads to irritation of the Meibomian gland, which is one of the sebaceous glands in the eyelid, and eyelid swelling in this case results from blockage of the ducts of these glands.

Eye Meibomianitis may cause swelling of the entire eyelid, and it may cause severe pain when touched.

  1. Cold infection

It is a sebaceous cyst that appears on the eyelid as a result of blockage of the Meibomian gland as well. The eye beggar may resemble the cold infection in its appearance at first, but it differs from it in several things, as the cold turns later into a solid sebaceous cyst, and often resorts to appearing away from the edge of the eyelid, unlike the eye beggar who appears near it.

The two are similar in that both cause the eyelid to swell, and also make the affected area painful to touch.

  1. Eyelid swelling may occur to people who wear contact lenses

If the lenses are dirty, or stored in an unclean case, or if the patient swims while wearing them, as this may cause eyelid irritation or inflammation. Wearing broken or damaged contact lenses may also cause eyelid swelling.

  1. Suffering from blepharitis

This inflammation is characterized by eyelid swelling in addition to the feeling of pain in it, and it may be accompanied by peeling of the skin in this area, and the patient may suffer from eyelashes loss as well.

This inflammation results from an imbalance in the glands fatty acids found in the eyelid, usually a chronic condition, which means that this condition will persist with the patient throughout his life and there is no cure final to her, but it is possible to control the symptoms by taking medicine appropriate, and by following good health habits.

It may also be associated with suffering from a bacterial infection.

  1. Infection with periocular dermatitis

Also known as periorbital dermatitis, It is a serious bacterial infection that affects the tissues around the eye, which causes redness, swelling and pain of the upper and lower eyelids, and symptoms may extend to include the eyebrow or cheek, and it may also be accompanied by the emergence of other symptoms, such as protruding eyes, poor vision, or a high body temperature or, the feeling of pain in the eye itself when moving it.

Although this infection is rare, it is considered an emergency situation that usually requires treatment with intravenous antibiotics, in order to prevent complications. Such as damage to the optic nerve, or permanent blindness, among others.

  1. Suffering from a herpes virus infection

The symptoms of this infection may be similar to the symptoms of conjunctivitis, and it may cause painful sores on the eyelid, in addition to blurring the vision resulting from corneal irritation and swelling of the eyelid. The severity of the inflammation ranges from mild to severe, and it may cause serious damage to the eye, and then the cornea needs to be replaced.

  1. Graves’ disease

It is a disease caused by excessive secretion of the hormone thyroxine from the thyroid gland , and it causes swelling of the eyelids, protruding eyes, as well as double vision and drooping eyelid.

  1. Nephrotic syndrome

It is a group of diseases that affect the kidneys, and cause fluid retention in the body, which results in swelling of many parts of the body, including the eyelid.

Manifestations of other swollen eyelids that not due to biting insects

Eyelid swelling treatment

There is no specific treatment for eyelid swelling , as treatment varies according to the underlying cause. Doctors usually recommend using warm water pads on the affected eye in an attempt to reduce the swelling and the associated pain, but this does not substitute for going to the doctor to determine the cause of the swelling and take the appropriate treatment for it.

You may also like...