7 Causes of swelling in the eyes and eyelids

The swelling in the eyes can have several causes, arising from less serious problems such as allergies or blows, but it can also happen due to infections such as conjunctivitis or sty, for example.

The eye is swollen due to an accumulation of fluids that occurs in the tissues around the eye, such as the eyelids or glands, and when it lasts more than 3 days it is recommended to consult an ophthalmologist to diagnose the cause and start the appropriate treatment, which can even involve the use of antibiotics.

In more rare cases, the swelling can also be a sign of more serious health problems, such as changes in thyroid function, problems with the functioning of the kidneys or a tumor in the eyelid for example. However, these situations usually cause swelling in other regions of the body, such as face or feet, for example.

1. Stye

The sty is an inflammation of the eye, caused by infection of the eyelid glands, which, in addition to causing pimple-like eyelid swelling, also causes other symptoms such as constant pain, excessive tearing and difficulty opening the eye. See how to identify and treat the sty.

What to do: You can apply a compress of warm water 3 to 4 times a day, for 5 to 10 minutes, to relieve symptoms, in addition to washing your face and hands with neutral soap, reducing the dirt that can cause new infection of the glands. If the stye does not disappear after 7 days, it is advisable to go to the ophthalmologist to identify the problem and start the appropriate treatment.

2. Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, on the other hand, is an infection of the eye itself, which leads to the appearance of symptoms such as red eyes, thick yellowish secretions, excessive sensitivity to light and, in some cases, the eye becomes swollen and also the eyelids.

What to do: go to the ophthalmologist to identify the cause of conjunctivitis and start using anti-inflammatory eye drops that help reduce symptoms. If the problem is caused by bacteria, the doctor may also indicate the use of eye drops or ophthalmic ointments with antibiotics. Find out which eye drops are most used to treat conjunctivitis.

3. Allergy to pollen, food or medicine

When the swelling in the eye appears along with other symptoms such as a stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing or itchy skin, it may be caused by an allergy to some food, medication or even pollen.

What to do: consult the doctor to find out the origin of the allergy, and in most cases treatment with antihistamine remedies such as Cetirizine or Hydroxyzine, for example, may be recommended.

4. Kidney changes

Swollen eyes can also indicate some impairment in blood filtration, at the level of the kidneys, especially if other regions of the body are also swollen, with the legs, for example.

What to do: It is important not to scratch your eye and apply saline or moisturizing eye drops, such as Dunason, Systane or Lacril. It is also advisable to go to the doctor to carry out tests that can indicate whether there is any renal impairment, and to start treatment, with diuretic remedies, if necessary.

If you suspect you may have kidney problems, check your symptoms:

1. 1. Frequent desire to urinate Yes No
2. 2. Urinate in small amounts at a time Yes No
3. 3. Constant pain in the bottom of your back or flanks Yes No
4. 4. Swelling of the legs, feet, arms or face Yes No
5. 5. Itching all over the body Yes No
6. 6. Excessive tiredness for no apparent reason Yes No
7. 7. Changes in the color and smell of urine Yes No
8. 8. Presence of foam in the urine Yes No
9. 9. Difficulty sleeping or poor sleep quality Yes No
10. 10. Loss of appetite and metallic taste in the mouth Yes No
11. 11. Feeling of pressure in the belly when urinating Yes No

5. Insect bites or eye blows

Although insect bites and eye blows are more rare, they can also cause swelling of the eye, these problems being more common in children, especially during impact sports like football or running, for example.

What to do: apply a small piece of ice on the affected area, as the cold reduces itching and inflammation. In the case of a bite, it is also important to be aware of the appearance of other symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, redness or itching of the skin, as they may be signs of an allergic reaction that requires immediate medical treatment.

6. Blepharitis

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid that can appear overnight and happens when one of the glands that regulate oiliness is blocked, being frequent in people who rub their eyes frequently. In these cases, in addition to the swelling, it is also common for the appearance of blisters and the feeling that there is a speck in the eye.

What to do: Place a warm compress over the eye for about 15 minutes to relieve discomfort. Then, you should wash your eye every day with a moisturizing eye drop in order to remove the stains and avoid excess bacteria. Check out more tips on how to deal with this problem.

7. Orbital cellulite

This type of cellulite is a serious infection of the tissues around the eye that can arise due to the passage of bacteria from the sinuses to the eyes, which can happen during sinus attacks or colds, for example. In these cases, other symptoms may appear, such as fever, pain when moving the eye and blurred vision.

What to do: the treatment needs to be done with antibiotics, it is recommended to go to the hospital immediately as soon as suspicion of orbital cellulitis appears.

What can make the eye swollen in pregnancy

Swelling in the eyes during pregnancy is a very common problem, which is usually related to the effect of hormones on the superficial veins of the skin. Thus, what happens is that the veins become more dilated and accumulate more fluids, causing the appearance of swelling in the eyes, face or feet.

This symptom is normal, but when the swelling grows very fast or when it is accompanied by other symptoms such as headache or high blood pressure, it is recommended that you consult your doctor to check for possible complications, such as pre-eclampsia.