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I have a red bump on my eyelid. What is it, and what should I do?

By April 14, 2009 - 1:01pm
 
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I'm not sure if this is a "stye" (spelling?) or not on my eye, but it is a little itchy, and red and tender. I have two of them, actually, on the same eye: one on the upper eyelid, and one underneath on the lower eye lid.

Is this an infection, or allergy or something else? Will it go away on its own, or should I do something about it?

Add a Comment39 Comments

(reply to Anonymous)

Do you suspect a stye in your eye? You might have gotten some particulate stuck in your eye, or have a blocked gland in your eyelid. You can try an eye wash or eye drops to try to flush your eye and promote healing.

July 17, 2009 - 6:54pm

EmpowHer has an excellent page on styes, clinically called Hordeolum, and you can click on the orange link here to view images and read about the different types (there are external and internal "eye bumps", for instance).

According to MedlinePlus: Styes are caused from an inflamed oil gland on the edge of your eyelid, where the lash meets the lid. It appears as a red, swollen bump that looks like a pimple. It is tender, especially to the touch.

How to treat?
It is much like a pimple/acne, where bacteria from the skin gets into the oil gland on your eyelid. You can apply a warm compress to the bump. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before touching this area. And, let the bump drain on its own.

When to call the doctor?
- Any problems with vision or light sensitivity occur
- Bump worsens (very large or painful)
- Bump does not improve within 1-2 weeks
- Bump bleeds

Hope this helps!

May 24, 2009 - 12:58pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I went to this website:

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/styes.htm

May 23, 2009 - 7:53pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

This site has some good info, but I would be weary of using this as a medical source, since they are selling products!

May 24, 2009 - 1:02pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I have one on my bottom eye lid. It's itchy but painful when I touch it. A member of my family noticed it earlier and asked me if I had a stye. I've had styes before but I forgot how they went away. At the time I didn't feel it. But, now I do. I wear contacts as well. That is the reason I reseached this. What can I do? I think I'll research it more.

May 23, 2009 - 7:51pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I'm experiencing the exact same thing pretty much!
I have a small bump on my bottom eyelid which is itchy - but certainly not painful.
Then I also have a red bump on my upper eyelid, not itchy but painful when I look upwards.
Anyone have any advice please? x

April 19, 2009 - 1:56am

No, I wear glasses though. The redness under my eye is a little itchy, but the bump on the top lid isn't itchy and doesn't hurt. Strange!

April 14, 2009 - 1:39pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Free2Bme)

I had one similar a bump , on my upper eyelid, and lower that made my eye get puffy, so I went to the optomeritist (sorry if I mispelled it) and they performed a quick surgery on my eye. Well actually twice, on my upper eyelid, then lower. The doctor said the eye is like this due to excessive grease on your eyes. What he did was get quit tips and just take out chunks of grease. After a few days, the swelling stopped and it went away. Hope this helps.

August 1, 2009 - 8:18pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

do you wear contacts?

April 14, 2009 - 1:05pm
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