Styes and Eyelid Bumps

Styes and Eyelid Bumps Overview

Did you wake up one morning with a strange lump on your eyelid? Or have you had skin bumps around your eyes that have been there for a long time? Most eyelid bumps are annoying, but harmless, and some of them can be resolved without surgery. However, sometimes that can be concerning, or require surgery in order to go away. If your eyelid bump experiences changes, swelling, reddening, or irritation, you may have cause for concern. Before jumping to conclusions, see our eye doctor for an evaluation.

How to Differentiate Eyelid Bumps

Eyelid Tumors

An eyelid tumor is an abnormal growth around the eyes. It may be either benign, like a skin tag, papilloma, or some type of cyst. In this case, if they are bothersome, they can be surgically removed quickly and conveniently, right in the office. If they are not bothersome, they can be left alone.

However, sometimes these eyelid tumors can be malignant, such as some type of carcinoma. The doctor may be able to tell if the lesion is benign or malignant by looking at it, but sometimes a biopsy is required to find out exactly what it is. If you’re noticing a suspicious growth, especially if they change over time, you should contact one of our offices for an appointment.

Styes

A sty is a bump on the eyelid that usually develops over a few days, and is usually the result of a non-infected clog in the eyelid’s oil glands (chalazion). More rarely, it can be the result of a bacterial infection (hordeolum). In either case, it shows up as a bump that can be large or small, red and irritated or not bothersome at all, in the upper or lower lids, and it is usually near the eyelash line. They may change over time. Sometimes they resolve by themselves, especially if you help it along with hot compresses and eyelid scrubs with a gentle soap with baby shampoo, but if it continues to worsen, or lasts more than two weeks, contact one of our offices to discuss treatment.