The child's upper eyelids swell. The reasons are the same in both cases. Swelling of the eyelids is a consequence of internal diseases

When a small child's eyelids become swollen and red, this symptom seriously upsets his parents. Why does this trouble arise, what causes it, and how to treat a child if his upper eyelid is swollen?

Causes and symptoms

In most cases, swelling and redness of the upper eyelid in a child occurs for the following reasons:

So, when an insect (midge or mosquito) bites the eyelid, the child complains of itching and constantly intends to scratch the eye. The bite site quickly swells, especially if the child was bitten by a midge, and may also harden. An insect bite requires attention, since in some children it can cause an allergy, the manifestations of which include an increase in body temperature, the appearance of a skin rash, tachycardia and a decrease in blood pressure.

The most common cause of swelling and redness of the upper eyelid in a child is stye - infection of one or more eyelash follicles at the roots. Barley is also called hordeolum. The cause of barley in nine cases out of ten is staphylococcus. Barley can also occur in a child as a complication of blepharitis. Symptoms of barley in children depend on the location of the abscess:

  1. External styes: An abscess develops on the outside of the eyelid. It is easy to detect: it looks like a yellowish dot, from which pus is then released.
  2. Internal: accompanied by swelling of the eyelid and pain. Purulent contents can be seen near the conjunctiva 2-3 days after the infection occurs.

Both types of barley can be accompanied by fever, malaise and headache.

If a child's eyelid is swollen and red, the cause of the problem may be a bruise or burn to the eye (trauma). The size of the swelling depends on the severity of the injury.

Redness and swelling of the eyelids in children can be caused by lice, since lice can migrate to the eyelashes, and the bites of these insects lead to swelling of the eyelids.

With ARVI, an infection from the nasal sinuses spreads to the mucous membrane of the eyes, which is why a person can develop adenoviral conjunctivitis. With this disease, the child's eyelids swell, the eyeballs turn red, the eyes become watery, and pus is often released, causing the eyelashes to stick together.

What to do?

If the baby's eyelid(s) are swollen and red, then first of all the parents should show the child to an ophthalmologist. Self-medication of eye diseases in children can lead to unpleasant consequences, so the choice of therapy should be decided by a doctor.

The treatment strategy for swelling in the upper eyelids depends on the cause of the pathology. In case of an allergic reaction, the baby should be given an antihistamine in an age-appropriate dosage as soon as possible. Popular antihistamines include El-Cet, Citrine, Fenistil and others. If the upper eyelid is swollen and red due to an insect bite, the child should also be given an antihistamine to try to relieve the itching. Cooling lotions or compresses are suitable for this. For example, applying a piece of raw potato or gauze soaked in cold water to the eyelid will help relieve itching.

To treat barley, use ointments and drops prescribed by a doctor. The following remedies effectively treat stye:

  1. Ciprofloxacin.
  2. Erythromycin ointment.

As for alternative medicine used to treat stye in children, their use should be agreed with a doctor. The following remedies help get rid of barley in children:

  1. Birch decoction: it is used to wash the eyes. To prepare the decoction, take a tablespoon of birch leaf, pour boiling water over it and leave for half an hour. When the broth has cooled, it can be used to wash the eyes.
  2. Plantain decoction: 2 tablespoons of dry raw materials are poured with a glass of boiling water, and then a cotton swab is soaked in the cooled decoction and applied to the eye as a compress.

With barley, it is unacceptable to try to squeeze out the purulent contents of the abscess on your own, since such an action can lead to the spread of infection, including sepsis. It is also important to ensure that the child does not rub his eyelids. Warming up barley is also considered an unacceptable procedure.

Any eye injury in a child requires immediate medical attention, since various bruises and burns to the eyes can lead to partial or complete loss of vision.

As for lice, you can use Vaseline oil to protect your eyelids from lice bites. This product is recommended to lubricate the eyelash line on the upper eyelids.

If the baby's eyelids are red and swollen due to ARVI, then antiviral drugs prescribed by the pediatrician are used to treat such eye inflammation. You can relieve the unpleasant symptoms of swelling of the upper eyelids by washing your eyes with decoctions of medicinal herbs (sage, chamomile) or strong tea.

It is worth noting that swelling of the upper eyelids in a child, not caused by infection or damage, can occur due to diseases of the kidneys, heart, thyroid gland and other organs. If the eyelids swell frequently, parents should show the child to the doctor and undergo all prescribed tests to clarify the diagnosis.

Swollen eyes in a child can be due to several reasons.

Injuries, allergic reactions, infections - all these factors can cause swelling.

Treatment of the pathology should be selected taking into account the specifics of the disease and the child’s tolerance of the selected medications and methods.

Causes of swelling

Among the factors that trigger the disease, several reasons are identified, some of which may cause serious harm to health.

Most often, swelling is caused by an allergic reaction.

In children, it can be caused by the introduction of new foods to the diet, pollen, weeds, home and street dust, dandruff, secretions and household chemicals.

In such situation it is important to notice in time a child has an allergic reaction, which is most often accompanied by severe itching of the mucous membrane of the eye, lacrimation, runny nose and nasal congestion may occur.

In severe cases, swelling may also occur in the throat.

In addition, the eye can swell in a number of ways: other factors:

  • infectious lesions of various origins;
  • injuries and mechanical damage to the mucous membrane of the eye and eyelid;
  • increased intracranial pressure;
  • kidney problems;
  • severe fluid retention in tissues;
  • diseases of the cardiovascular system;
  • insomnia and sleep problems, including during teething;
  • frequent and prolonged crying.

In case of kidney and heart disease, the child only experiences swelling and possible redness of the eye. There is no pain, lacrimation or irritation in such situations.

Read about the causes and treatment of eye puffiness in adults.

Why is the lower or upper eyelid swollen in one eye?

When swelling appears in only one eye, the cause of the pathology most often becomes infection or mechanical damage, which causes an inflammatory process in the tissues of the upper or lower eyelid.

Cause problems the following factors may exist.


The symptoms and signs described above will subside as soon as the swelling of the affected area is reduced. With barley, relief comes after the pus comes to the surface.

Associated symptoms and their causes

Swollen eyes in a child are often accompanied by additional signs. Using them, you can make an accurate diagnosis and carry out therapy faster.

If noted severe itching, desire to scratch the eye, the reason may be due to allergies or insect bites.

In such conditions, care should be taken so that the baby does not touch the sore spot, since active rubbing and scratching can intensify all symptoms and lead to injury.

Itching and burning occur as a result of irritation of nerve endings and delicate mucous membranes due to a large number of allergens. The body considers these substances foreign and tries to remove them with the help of lacrimation and irritation.

Redness is recorded in almost all described diseases, the only exceptions being disorders of the kidneys and heart.

Redness is also tissue reaction to a foreign body. It injures the eyelid, which can also create discomfort and cause pain.

Puffiness under the eyes occurs in the presence of a large number of allergens, insect poison, phlegmon, problems with internal organs, insomnia. The eyelid and surrounding areas begin to become inflamed, which leads to swelling.

What to do if a child has swollen eyes?

If the cause of the pathology associated with allergies, the attending physician prescribes a sorbent and an antihistamine. For children, drugs such as Fenistil drops, Loratadine, Tavegil, Subrestin and others are suitable.

The sorbent will remove all toxins from the body, and antiallergic ones will suppress the effects of allergens. In some cases, a specialist may suggest using homeopathic medicines.

In case of mechanical damage eyes, the foreign object should be carefully removed. If this is not possible, or the cause of the disorder is caused by injury, the doctor prescribes healing drops.

Balarpan, Vitasik, Defislez perfectly protect and moisturize the eye, which causes rapid relief of swelling, redness and irritation.

For infectious lesions Healing and antibacterial drugs are prescribed, this may be Erythromycin or Tetracycline ointment. Additionally, a specialist may recommend rinsing the mucous membrane and eyelid, as well as making compresses using calendula and chamomile.

It is strictly forbidden to squeeze barley, wipe with alcohol to quickly release pus. The disease is associated with an insufficient level of the baby’s immunity, so you should contact an infectious disease specialist for possible selection of stimulating medications. At home, you can use compresses made from chamomile, string and calendula.

The exact dosage and type of active ingredient of the medication should be selected only by the attending physician after collecting the current and past medical history. This will avoid side effects and complications.

If a child shows signs of beginning swelling of the eye or a separate part of it, you should immediately seek urgent advice from an ophthalmologist or pediatrician.

In many cases, you can help your baby using non-invasive methods and quickly restore his health. When trying to self-medicate without an accurate diagnosis, there is a high chance of developing complications and the need for surgical interventions.

Video on the topic

But what does Dr. Komarovsky think if a child’s eye is swollen and red:

In contact with

Swelling of the upper eyelid is a common phenomenon that can occur as a result of exposure to external or internal negative factors. It can be the only symptom or be accompanied by additional symptoms, occur in one eye or both at the same time. First of all, a swollen eyelid is a serious aesthetic defect, but do not forget that it can serve as a signal of serious problems in the body. For what reasons does swelling of the upper eyelid of one eye occur and how to get rid of the problem?

Why does the upper eyelid swell?

The tendency of the eyelids to edema is due to their anatomical structure - they consist of loose fabric(mainly subcutaneous fat) and a large number of blood vessels. If too much fluid accumulates in the eyelids, swelling occurs quite quickly and can last for several days. The upper part of the eye increases in size, as a result of which the eye shape narrows, the skin acquires a red or bluish tint, as well as an unhealthy shine, and the tissues become dense to the touch.

Depending on the reasons that caused the pathology, swelling of the upper eyelid can be inflammatory, non-inflammatory, allergic or traumatic. In each case, it may be accompanied by additional symptoms (itching, pain, increased skin temperature, general symptoms) and requires appropriate treatment.

Attention: tissue swelling must be distinguished from a disorder called, or drooping of the upper eyelid - in the second case, the eyelid does not increase in size and does not turn red, but droops, covering part of the eyeball.

Inflammatory swelling

Swelling of one upper eyelid most often occurs with eye diseases, less often with ARVI, sinusitis, sinusitis and other diseases accompanied by an inflammatory process in the nasal sinuses. Distinctive signs of such conditions are itching, tingling and burning sensation, lacrimation, photophobia. Most often, the eyelid swells with barley, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, dacryocystitis, abscesses, phlegmon and erysipelas.

Table. Diseases in which the eyelid swells.

DiseaseCauses and features of the flow

The disease develops as a result of pathogenic microorganisms (most often Staphylococcus aureus) entering the surface of the eye, which causes inflammation of the hair follicle of the eyelashes. A swelling with purulent contents appears in the affected area, the eyelid turns red, swells and hurts when pressed.

Inflammatory processes in conjunctivitis develop in the mucous membrane of the eye and are accompanied by redness of the eyeball, a sensation of a foreign body and sand in the eye, photophobia, and the release of clear secretion or pus.

The cause of the disease is inflammation of the lacrimal sac, which prevents the normal outflow of fluid. Symptoms include redness, pain and swelling, which are located closer to the inner edge of the eye.

A severe pathology of a chronic nature, resulting from an inflammatory process of the edges of the eyelids. Signs include swelling of the eyelid (usually at the edges).

Inflammation of the tissues of the eyelids, which usually develop due to a violation of the integrity of the skin and the entry of pathogenic microorganisms into the wound. They are accompanied by severe swelling of the eyelid, impaired mobility, pain, and in severe cases, increased body temperature, headaches, and general weakness.

Swelling of the eyelid due to inflammation of the nasal sinuses is most often observed in childhood, but can also occur in adults. Patients are concerned about nasal congestion and discharge of purulent contents, headache, a feeling of heaviness in the sinuses, general weakness, fever and chills. This condition requires immediate medical attention as it can cause decreased vision and other serious complications.

Non-inflammatory swelling of the eyelid

Swelling of the eyelids of a non-inflammatory nature is most often observed in the morning after sleep and is not accompanied by redness, local fever and severe pain. The skin usually does not appear hot, but pale and cool, sometimes with pronounced vascular network. The reasons that cause this condition include:

  • systemic diseases (impaired functioning of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, thyroid gland, digestive tract);
  • poor circulation or lymphatic drainage;
  • oncological diseases of eye tissue;
  • excessive consumption of salty foods;
  • poor lifestyle, lack of sleep, eye strain;
  • bad habits.

In some cases, non-inflammatory swelling of the eyelids goes away on their own after normal rest and lifestyle adjustments. If they appear with a certain regularity, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible and determine the cause of the swelling.

Allergic edema

Swelling of allergic origin most often occurs suddenly and is often accompanied by itching, redness and discomfort. Additional symptoms may include nasal congestion, skin rash, and watery eyes. Allergies are caused by food products, hygiene products, household chemicals, cosmetics, as well as plant pollen, animal dander and insect bites.

There are two types of allergic swelling of the eyelids - allergic dermatitis and angioedema. With dermatitis, the swelling is not too pronounced, but is always accompanied by redness and itching. Quincke's edema, on the contrary, is quite extensive (sometimes a person cannot even open his eyes), and there are no additional symptoms, but they are the most dangerous for the patient, as they can spread to the respiratory system.

Traumatic edema

The tissues of the eyelids are very delicate and thin, so any injury can cause bleeding and swelling. As a rule, this situation does not require medical intervention - you just need to maintain eye hygiene and make sure that the wound does not get infected. In women, eyelid swelling is often observed after a tattoo procedure, which involves driving pigment under the skin of the eyelids. If the procedure was carried out correctly, the swelling will subside within a day, but too deep injection of pigment or its poor quality can cause allergies and inflammation.

For reference: in rare cases, swelling is a consequence of the anatomical structure of the eyes - if the membrane between the skin and the fat layer is too thin, any negative impact can cause swelling.

Swelling of the upper eyelid in a child

Swelling of the eyelids in childhood is most often caused by genetic predisposition, allergic reactions or infectious eye diseases (children often have the habit of rubbing their eyes with dirty hands). Allergies and infections require appropriate treatment, and for edema caused by hereditary factors, parents are advised to monitor the child’s drinking regime and daily routine, and also reduce the amount of salt in his diet. In any case, if this symptom appears, you should consult your doctor.

Diagnostics

There can be many reasons for swelling of the upper eyelid, so anamnesis and the presence of additional symptoms play an important role in making a diagnosis. Diagnosis of ophthalmological diseases, as a rule, does not cause difficulties for specialists, but non-inflammatory edema may require additional examinations and consultation with specialized specialists (cardiologist, nephrologist, endocrinologist, etc.).

What should not be done for swelling of the eyelids?

In order not to aggravate the situation, the following manipulations should not be performed during swelling of the upper eyelid:

  • warm the affected area;
  • open the ulcers yourself if they are on the skin;
  • lubricate the eyelid with concentrated alcohol solutions, as they can cause irritation or burns.

Besides, It is not recommended to take antibiotics on your own, regardless of the form of release of the drug– improper use of oral or topical medications can seriously harm the patient.

Treatment of eyelid swelling

The therapy used for edema of the eyelid depends on the cause of the development of the pathology - to eliminate edema and its cause, conservative therapy, cosmetics and folk remedies are most often used.

Conservative therapy

For infectious processes, patients are prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics and antiviral agents in the form of tablets, drops and ointments. In the case of allergic edema, antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs containing synthetic steroid hormones are used, which eliminate not only swelling, but also itching, redness and discomfort. In addition, with edema of allergic origin, it is important to determine the factor that led to the undesirable reaction of the body and, if possible, eliminate it. Non-inflammatory edema can often be eliminated with proper sleep, reducing fluid and salt intake, and giving up bad habits. If swelling persists, you should consult a doctor and check your kidney function, endocrine and cardiovascular systems.

Cosmetical tools

If swelling of the eyelids is purely a cosmetic problem, you can use special ointments, creams and masks to relieve swelling. Physiotherapeutic procedures have a good effect - electrical stimulation, mesotherapy, various types of massage (manual, vacuum, roller), which have a beneficial effect on tissues, remove excess fluid and stimulate the outflow of lymph, which helps reduce swelling.

For reference: A massage that improves the condition of the eyelids during swelling can be performed at home - you need to gently massage the skin of the upper eyelid with light pressure for 1-2 minutes, and finish the procedure with light tapping.

In extreme cases, usually during the formation of the so-called blepharochalasis(the fold in the outer part of the eyelid that hangs over the eye), they resort to plastic surgery called blepharoplasty.

Folk remedies

Traditional recipes for combating eyelid swelling involve the use of agents with anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects that draw out excess fluid, improve blood circulation and lymph outflow.


As a quick remedy, you can apply pieces of ice, slices of fresh cucumber, raw potatoes, or even cold spoons to your eyes after placing them in the freezer for 10 minutes.

Important: Diuretics, which are used to combat swelling of the eyelids, have a number of contraindications - they are prohibited from being taken in case of urolithiasis, cholelithiasis, pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

To prevent swelling of the eyelids, you should lead a healthy lifestyle, stop smoking and alcoholic beverages, and do not overuse salty, spicy and pickled foods, especially at night. Women should be careful when choosing decorative cosmetics and be sure to wash off makeup before going to bed. In addition, it is important to protect the eyes from the negative effects of external factors (ultraviolet radiation, mechanical damage), treat infectious diseases in a timely manner, and monitor the functioning of the kidneys and cardiovascular system.

Swelling of the upper eyelid of one eye can be a common cosmetic problem, but in some cases it indicates the development of serious diseases, so you should consult your doctor if this symptom appears.

Video - Ptosis of the upper eyelid

There may be several reasons for this problem. This includes eye injury, a reaction to contact with an allergen, inflammation and internal pathologies.

Whatever causes the swelling, it is important to immediately consult a doctor who can determine the nature of the swelling and prescribe the optimal treatment regimen.

Physiological causes of eyelid swelling in children

Young children, especially babies under 1 year of age, often face the problem of swelling of the eyelids. The reasons for this disorder may be physiological in nature.

For example:

  • swelling occurs as a result of frequent and prolonged crying;
  • eyelids swell due to poor drinking habits;
  • swelling indicates being in a too dark or overly lit room, which leads to eye fatigue;
  • swelling above or below the eye may appear due to incorrect head position during sleep or the use of an unsuitable pillow;
  • prolonged exposure to the sun or swimming in water often causes swelling;
  • bags under the eyes also appear during teething;
  • The hereditary factor also plays a role - if one of the parents suffers from frequent edema due to a too thin membrane located in the subcutaneous tissue of the eyelids, then the chances that the child will encounter the problem increase sharply.

Older children are characterized by morning swelling of the eyelids, associated with the presence of salty and fatty foods in the diet. Such violations are temporary and quickly disappear after the causes that caused them are eliminated.

Important! Bags under the eyes of a newborn, caused by Rh conflict with the mother, are considered a very dangerous condition. The problem can lead to the development of hemolytic disease.

Inflammatory swelling

If a child has swelling and one eyelid turns red (see photo), the disease may be inflammatory in nature, bacterial or viral. In this case, the skin may turn red and there may be discomfort when touched.

Inflammation is provoked by the following factors:

  • barley;
  • erysipelas;
  • furunculosis;
  • dacryocystitis;
  • colds.

Infection in the eyelid area can occur due to inflammation of the salivary glands or regional lymph nodes, or with diseases of the oral cavity or teeth.

The inflammatory type also includes seborrheic edema caused by fungi living on the child’s skin. In this condition, yellow crusts between the eyelashes and dry eyes are added to the swelling. If you do not consult a doctor promptly, the disease can lead to visual impairment.

Important! If swelling of the eyelids is accompanied by additional symptoms - the appearance of purulent discharge, increased lacrimation, thickening of the tissues of the eyelids or an increase in temperature, this indicates a pathology that requires immediate contact with specialists (pediatrician and ophthalmologist).

Internal pathologies

Swelling is not always associated with physiological disorders or eye infections. The problem may indicate diseases of the endocrine, cardiovascular, digestive, and urinary systems.

If the red swelling and swelling is not inflammatory in nature, then both eyelids always become inflamed at once. The skin is not hyperthermic, there is no pain on palpation. Often the problem affects more than just the eyelids. The limbs also swell, and ascites forms.

Symptoms depend on the disease that caused the swelling. For example, if not only the eyelids swell, but also the fontanel of the infant, this is intracranial pressure.

Does your child often run to the toilet and complain of lower back pain? It is necessary to check the condition of the urinary system. When swelling of the eyelids is accompanied by rapid pulse and shortness of breath, this may indicate rheumatic inflammation of the myocardium.

Non-inflammatory edema requires special attention from parents. Timely examination allows you to make a correct diagnosis and solve the baby’s health problems in the shortest possible time.

Traumatic edema

Young children often unknowingly injure themselves—they hit their eyes with their fists while sleeping, or fall while taking their first steps. Traumatic swelling can be caused by sunburn and scratches.

Delicate skin reacts instantly, inflammation occurs and the upper or lower eyelid swells. At the next stage, a characteristic hematoma appears, which gradually resolves and does not threaten any complications.

Important! Sometimes swelling on the upper eyelids is caused by lice that live not only on the head, but also on the eyelashes. They can be removed using a cotton swab soaked in ordinary Vaseline.

Allergic reaction

If a child's upper eyelid is swollen or the lower eyelid is inflamed, his body may have reacted to contact with something. The eyes are the most vulnerable organ, absorbing allergy-causing substances directly from the air.

Most often, this reaction is noted after contact with:

  • plant pollen;

Video from Dr. Komarovsky:

Often the swelling is not limited to the eyelids. The swelling also affects the cheek area. Skin color changes, becoming whitish or acquiring a blue tint. There is no pain on palpation.

Depending on the amount of allergens entering the body and the sensitivity of the body, other symptoms appear, including:

  • burning;
  • photophobia;
  • lacrimation;
  • redness of the conjunctiva.

With allergic edema, the iris, retrobular tissue, cornea and even the optic nerve are affected. The disease in some cases contributes to deterioration or even loss of vision, the development of secondary glaucoma, and exophthalmosis.

Allergic swelling of the eyelids requires immediate medical attention. Perhaps the cause of this reaction was an immune failure or. Frequent relapses of the disease can lead to elephantiasis - persistent enlargement of the eyelids.

Important! With angioedema (angioedema), the swelling spreads not only to the facial area, but also to other organs, including mucous membranes. This can lead to respiratory failure and even death.

Treatment and prevention

The main condition for successful treatment of swelling of two or one eye is a timely visit to a doctor. After examination and comprehensive diagnosis of the child, treatment for the disease that led to the development of swelling is prescribed.

In case of allergies, the child is prescribed medications selected according to age. Adsorbent preparations and adherence to a drinking regime help speed up the removal of allergen remnants from the body. It is necessary to avoid contact with the substance that caused a negative reaction in the body.

Edema of a traumatic nature is usually treated at home. Compresses and lotions help relieve swelling. If the mucous membrane of the eye is damaged, the child is prescribed healing drops and ointments to prevent the development of complications.

Inflammatory swelling caused by infection on the mucous membrane is treated with antiviral drugs (drops and ointments), eye washes with antiseptics that quickly eliminate inflammation. Only a doctor can prescribe drugs after determining the root cause of the disease.

If the situation is provoked by pathologies of internal organs, the doctor, after making a diagnosis, prescribes a treatment regimen for the underlying disease.

Prevention of edema is:

  • adherence to sleep and rest patterns;
  • selection of a comfortable pillow;
  • regular walks in the fresh air;
  • the amount of fluid consumed per day should not exceed the norms recommended by the pediatrician;
  • Ventilate the room before going to bed.

Important! Don’t forget that your baby’s eyes need proper rest. Vision has not yet adapted to increased loads and a 3-year-old child cannot watch TV on the same basis as his parents. The optimal amount of time children can spend in front of a screen is no more than half an hour a day.

Swelling of the eyelids in a child is a fairly common occurrence. If your baby regularly develops swelling in the eye area, you should consult a specialist who can determine the cause of the pathology.

Eyelid swelling in adults often goes away on its own. But if the upper eyelid is swollen and red in a child, you need to see a doctor. You cannot be negligent towards the baby’s health. It is better to begin your actions as soon as you see that the child’s eye is swollen, because gradually this condition can provoke vision loss.

Both eyelids or just one may swell. Most often, the swelling is visible on the upper eyelid, but it may spread to the lower eyelid, especially if the cause of this condition is an inflammatory reaction.

Causes of symptoms

Parents need to find the reason and find out why the child’s eye is swollen? To do this, contact an ophthalmologist or local pediatrician. Common reasons:

The severity of the clinical picture of eyelid swelling in a child depends on the cause of this condition. It is possible that a swollen upper eyelid will be painful to the touch, reddened, and its temperature will be increased. These manifestations are observed if the swelling is of an inflammatory nature. In addition, the child may be bothered by pain in the eyes (a feeling of sand), excessive lacrimation, and redness of not only the upper eyelid, but also the eyeball.

When palpated by a doctor, in some cases a subcutaneous compaction of a purulent nature (barley, furunculosis, erysipelas) can be felt. In addition to redness, grayish scales appear in areas near the eyelashes, which can be carefully cleaned from the child’s eyelid. The phenomenon is accompanied by lacrimation, photophobia, and eyelash loss. If the disease is not treated, deformation of the eyelid may occur, eyelash growth will stop and vision will be impaired.

Non-inflammatory swelling of the upper eyelid in a child can occur due to problems with the kidneys and fluid retention in the body (appears in the morning) or the cardiovascular system (occurs in the late afternoon). Such swelling is not accompanied by hyperemia (redness), lacrimation, or pain in the eyes.

If there has been recent contact with an allergen or the child’s parents are allergic, your baby may develop Quincke’s edema. It can be triggered by food allergens, plant pollen, cosmetics and baby hygiene products. Another reaction occurs after an insect bite, most often a bee or wasp. This swelling is painless, but in addition to the eyelids, the face and even the neck can swell.

Parent Action Plan

Treatment for a swollen eyelid depends on the cause of the symptom. It will be different in each case.

For example, barley cannot be squeezed out on its own; pus can enter a blood vessel and even cause meningitis. This also applies to other purulent diseases (furunculosis, meibomitis). After a few days, the disease will “ripen”, the abscess will burst, and its contents will come out. During this period, it is important to maintain eye hygiene so that pus does not get on the mucous membrane and cause a new disease.

Antibiotic eye drops or ointments, as well as physiotherapeutic procedures, will help speed up recovery. You should not heat stye, like any abscess, especially if you do not know when the disease began. It would be helpful to follow a daily routine and eat a healthy diet. The risk of developing stye is greater in children with weak immunity, diabetes and stomach diseases.

Treatment of conjunctivitis is more complex because it depends on the type of disease. If you don’t know what to do or are encountering this disease for the first time, consult a doctor, save time and receive precise instructions that can be used if the disease reoccurs. Among those prescribed will be eye drops, Tetracycline ointment, and decoctions for rinsing, for example, from chamomile. Do not experiment on your child and do not use grandma’s methods (tea lotions and others), remember that you are risking the child’s vision.

If you suspect an allergy, take tests to identify allergens and limit your baby's contact with them. If you are breastfeeding, avoid foods that cause allergies. There is no need to do anything with the swelling itself; it will go away after the substance that caused it disappears. If swelling of the eyelid is accompanied by swelling of the face, lips, nose, consult a doctor to prescribe antihistamines that are safe for the child.

As you can see, swelling of the upper eyelid is a symptom of many diseases, which, at first glance, are no different from each other. Therefore, to be sure of the correct treatment, contact specialists - this will make your child’s life much easier. Do not forget about the rules of eye care and monitor the state of your baby’s immunity.