Eyelid problems
Find out what to do if you have a lump on your eyelid, or an eyelid that's swollen, sticky, itchy or painful.
Many eyelid problems are not serious.
It's fairly common to have any of these problems:
- a lump that goes away by itself after several days or weeks
- mildly itchy, flaky or sticky eyelids that clear up by themselves
- swelling from a nearby insect bite, injury or operation that goes away after a week or so
- twitching or blinking from time to time – often when you're tired
- eyelids that droop (or get more "hooded") as you get older
Your symptoms might give you an idea of what's causing your eyelid problem. But do not self-diagnose – see a pharmacist, GP or optician.
There is separate information about twitching eyelids.
You can ask a pharmacist about:
- what you can do to treat common eyelid problems, like a stye or conjunctivitis, yourself
- if you can buy anything to help – for example, cleaning solutions for sticky eyelids
- if you need to see an optician or GP
See a GP if:
- you're worried about an eyelid problem
- your eyelid symptoms are not improving or they're lasting a long time
- you have yellow lumps or patches around your eyes
Ask for an urgent GP or optician appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- your swollen eyelid is red, hot, painful, tender or blistered
- your eyelid droops suddenly
- you cannot open your eye or keep it open
- the pain is in your eye (not your eyelid)
- the white of your eye is very red, in part or all over
- you have eye symptoms and a headache or you feel sick or are being sick
- a newborn baby (less than 1 month old) has a sticky, red eye
- you're sensitive to light (photophobia)
- your eyesight changes – for example, you have blurred vision and see wavy flashing lights, zigzag patterns or coloured spots or lines
- you have a very high temperature, or feel hot and shivery, or you feel generally unwell
- you think it's an allergic reaction
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.