The commonest eyelid problems are lumps on your eyelid, or an eyelid that is swollen, sticky, itchy, drooping or twitching. Many will settle or go away without treatment within three to four weeks.
The most common lumps in the eyelid are styes and chalazions (meibomian cysts).
A stye is often caused by bacteria infection of an eyelash follicle or eyelid gland. It’s a small, painful lump on or inside the eyelid or around the eye, filled with pus, like a pimple. The skin around the stye may be swollen and red, and harder to see on brown and black skin. Your eye may be red and watery, but vision should not be affected.
To reduce swelling and help the stye heal, soak a clean flannel in warm water and hold it against your eye for five to 10 minutes – repeat this three or four times a day. Don’t try to burst a stye or remove an eyelash yourself, as this can spread the infection. If it persists, you may need antibiotic cream. Avoid wearing contact lenses and eye make-up until it has burst and healed. Don’t share your towels or flannels, and don’t rub your eyes without washing your hands first.
A chalazion is a common condition in which a small lump or cyst develops in the eyelid due to a blocked oil gland. They can occur following inflammation around the opening of the oil glands just behind your eyelashes. This is called blepharitis – mildly itchy, flaky or sticky red eyelids – and it usually clears up by itself.
Other causes of generalised lid swelling include insect bites or injuries. Hay fever also commonly causes bilateral swelling.
Yellow lumps in the skin of the eyelids are called xanthelasma, and are sometimes caused by high cholesterol, so it’s worth getting your doctor to check.
This story is from the September 07, 2021 edition of WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 07, 2021 edition of WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
To put it MILDLY
Sonia couldn't believe her ears - is that what a stranger really thought of her?
Pen PALS
Was it really him? The boy she had written to all those years ago
Gorgeous GRILLING
Dust off the barbecue and invite family and friends over to yours
I'm a 90 year-old CARER!
Shirley Galsworthy has been helping make her community a better place for many decades
BOOST YOUR BONE HEALTH in one month
What you should be doing right now to age-proof your skeleton
Who loves a whodunnit?
Most of us, judging by the rise in crime fiction events
'Don't let age hold you back
TV presenter Ruth Langsford on weight gain, growing older and caring for husband Eamonn Holmes
How to protect YOUR SKIN
Reduce your risk of skin damage and ageing, and spot the signs of skin cancer early, with our expert advice
Coping with...MENOPAUSE EMOTIONS
For some, the psychological impact of what is a normal phase in life can be very tricky to navigate
Patch perfect
Stitch this sweet turtle pincushion using English paper piecing techniques