Ever woke up, looked into the mirror, and found swelling in your eyes that wasn’t there last night? 

Wondering what’s that stubborn and unpredictable lump on your eyelid?

Here’s the answer: It’s Eyelid Bump!

This unsolicited guest often disrupts more than just our aesthetics. It can be super irritating and cause a lot of discomfort while blinking, often leaving you wondering, “What’s this weird thing in my eyelid? How did I get that? How can I get rid of it?”

Now let’s quickly jump into details – what is an eyelid bump, the types of eyelid bumps, its symptoms, causes, and treatment.

What is an eyelid bump?

Eyelid bumps are the red lump over the eyelid, where lashes meet the eyelid. They can be painful or painless and are often caused by bacteria or blockage in the eyelid’s oil glands.

Eyelid bumps are harmless. They don’t need medical treatment at times, and you can often get rid of them with some home remedies. However, if the pain increases and it starts interfering with your vision, it’s better to consult a doctor to avoid any severe complications.

Types of eyelid bumps

There are 3 most common types of eyelid bumps:

• Stye – A stye is a round red bump at the outer rim of your eyelids and close to your eyelashes. It is one of the most common types of eyelid bumps that is caused when the bacteria gets into the oil glands of eyelids. Often associated with pus points which are clearly visible. 

It is painful and can make your eyes sensitive to the light and feel itchy. You may have more than one stye at a time. However, it often goes away in a few days.

• Chalazion – Chalazion occurs when the tear glands or oil-producing glands are blocked. It looks like a stye but might even grow further with time and if left untreated can also blur the vision.

It is most likely to be on the upper eyelid but if it is more than one it can grow on the underside of your eyelid, midway through the eyelid, or behind your eyelashes.

• Xanthelasma – These are harmless yellow bumps that often occur at the upper or lower eyelid or at the corner of the eyes. They most probably affect people who are 35-55 years old.

Xanthelasma indicates high cholesterol levels.

Also read: 5 Things Your Eye Test Might Reveal About Your Health

Symptoms of eyelid bumps

If you find yourself suffering from inflammation in your eyelid, it’s time to look for these signs of an eyelid bump:

• Redness and swelling in the eyes
• A sand-like sensation in the eye, making it uncomfortable to blink
• Watery eye 
• Blurred vision, only in the event of an oversized bump
• Sensitivity to light
• Copious discharge from eyes
• Change in the white part of the eyes

Treatment of eyelid bumps

Here are a few ways by which you can get rid of eyelid bumps:

• Don’t pop or squeeze as it may increase the chances of infection.
• Hold a warm and wet cloth to the affected area for like 10 mins up to 4 times a day.
• Keep the eyelid area clean.
• Massage gently using clean hands.
• Avoid using makeup for a few days.
• If it becomes painful and doesn’t go away, consult a doctor and they can prescribe an antibiotic.
• In a few cases, surgery may be advised.
• Frequent eye rubbing is one the major causes of Eyelid Bumps. Strictly avoid touching the eyes on a regular basis.

Bottom line

Eyelid bumps can be uncomfortable and frustrating. It is important to go for an effective treatment. If you need professional advice, you can visit PVRI – the best eye hospital in Hyderabad. The team of experts can help you with proper medications which can help you avoid any complications.