Eyelid problems
Figure out what to do if there is a lump or if an eyelid that’s swollen, sticky, itchy, drooping, or twitching.
Eyelid with the eyelids are not serious.
Having any of these issues is relatively common:
- A lump that naturally disappears after three to four weeks
- Slight itchiness, flakiness, or stickiness of the eyelids that goes away on its own
- Edema following an injury, surgery or adjacent bug bite subsides after a week or more.
- Occasionally twitching or blinking, frequently when you’re exhausted
- Eyelids that droop with age
Issues are typically not harmful
Many issues Types of eyelid problems
You can determine the cause of your symptoms. If you’re concerned, see a doctor instead of self-diagnosing.
Lump on the eyelid
Sings and causes
- A painful swelling filled with pus looking similar to a pimple- Stye
- A hard lump which is usually not painful- meibomian cyst
- Yellow lumps- Xanthelasma
- Blisters- Chickenpox
Swollen eyelid
Sings and causes
- Swelling- Allergies
- Red, hot and painful- Cellulitis
Itchy, flaky, or sticky eyelid
Sings and causes
- Itchiness, crusting, or flaking- Contact dermatitis
- Red itchy, watery eyes- Conjunctives
- Dry and irritated eyes- Dry eye syndrome
Drooping eyelid
Sings and causes
- Having a lower drooping eyelid, turning outward and inwards- Ectropion
- The skin above the upper eyelid droops downwards- Dermatochalasis
- Sudden drooping accompanied by vision loss and headache- Rarely brain tumor
When to seek a medical aid
Seek the doctor if;
- You have an enlarged eyelid that is red, hot, unpleasant, tender, or blistering
- Suddenly, the discomfort in your eye causes your eyelid to drop
- Your white eye is exceptionally red, either entirely or in part
- You’re light-sensitive
- your vision shifts, causing you sometimes to see wavy lines or flashing lights
- You feel feverish and shaky, have a high temperature, or generally feel ill
- You believe it to be an allergy
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022