Swelling of the eyes, around the eyelids or eyes, is a very common symptom amongst lots of people. There are over 70 different causes of why your eye might swell. Some of the causes are rare, but the majority of them are due to conjunctivitis, allergies, and blepharitis.
If you’ve been wondering why there is swelling around your eyes, then let’s consider the main possibilities.
1. Allergies
Allergies are a very common reason why you could suffer from swelling around your eye. Both outdoor and indoor allergies can release histamines into your system which can make the swelling around your eye worse. Allergies typically include other symptoms such as watering of eyes, sneezing, etc. This is easily treatable and your eyes will return to normal.
2. Eye infections
Eye infections can often lead to swelling of the tissue that is surrounding the eyelids and eyes. There are many variations of infections caused by bacteria or viruses. Most can be treated with eye drops or antibiotics.
3. Blepharitis
This condition causes inflammation of your eyelids which can cause swelling around the eyes. There may be underlying conditions such as dry eyes, dandruff, and infections which can cause Blepharitis.
4. Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is a contagious infection that could be either bacterial or viral in its origin. It can also be triggered by contact lenses, allergies, ointments, eye drops and environmental irritants. It is typically accompanied by itching and your eyes becoming red. Since it’s contagious, you need to be cautious you don’t transmit it to other people.
5. Eye Stye
Styes are inflamed sebaceous glands located near the base of your eyelids. It’s so important you leave them alone, and do not attempt to squeeze or pierce them, as they could spread throughout your entire eyelid. It’s crucial to wash your hands before you touch your eye, specifically if you have a stye.
When should I contact my doctor?
Most eye swelling will clear up over 24 hours if it’s nothing serious. This is true if there has been trauma to the eye, or you are suffering from an allergy or eye infection. Do not rub your eyes, and splash water in your eyes to attempt to clear any loose particles that could be causing the swelling.
If the swelling around the eye is accompanied by other symptoms such as watering of the eye, eye pain, difficulty with sight, then it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your eye doctor to secure a proper diagnosis and receive the necessary treatment.
