Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentComplications and Risk FactorsTesting and DiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare Provider

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Treatment

Complications and Risk Factors

Testing and Diagnosis

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Most bumps oneyelidsare either an infected oil gland (stye) or a blocked oil glandchalazion, which may appear in or on the edge of your eyelid. You should see a healthcare provider if the bump on your eyelid affects your vision or doesn’t improve after a week of home care.

This article discusses the types, symptoms, causes, and treatment of a bump on the eyelid.

apomares / Getty Images

Close up image of bump on eye

Symptoms of a Bump on the Eyelid

The lower and upper eyelids help protect your eyes. A bump on the eyelid can appear on either the lower or upper eyelid. It may look like a pimple, or it may appear swollen. Common symptoms associated with a bump on the eyelid are:

These symptoms will vary depending on the type of bump you have. Some cause pain, while others may have no symptoms.

Types of Bumps on the Eyelid

The most common types of bumps on the eyelid are:

Causes of a Bump on the Eyelid

The most common causes of a bump on the eyelid include:

A clogged oil gland in the eyelid is one common cause of a bump on the eyelid. The clogged gland may contain bacteria that grow inside it. Clogged oil glands may start as a stye and become a chalazion.

An Infection is another common cause of a bump on the eyelid. An infected eyelashroot is often the cause of a stye.

How to Treat a Bump on the Eyelid

Many bumps on the eyelid, including styes and chalazia, will go away on their own in a couple of weeks. There are some things you can do at home to help treat them. If at-home measures don’t work after a week, you should set an appointment with a healthcare provider, such as anophthalmologist(a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating eye conditions).

Treatment options may include the following:

Use CautionTry to avoid eye makeup and contact lenses until the bump has healed. Don’t attempt to pop the bump.

Use Caution

Try to avoid eye makeup and contact lenses until the bump has healed. Don’t attempt to pop the bump.

Complications and Risk Factors Associated With a Bump on the Eyelid

You can avoid complications from a chalazion or stye with prompt treatment. However, the bump can recur. Let a healthcare provider know if you get bumps on your eyelids frequently.

The risk factors for developing a bump on the eyelid include the following:

Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of a Bump on the Eyelid?

You probably will not require any testing to diagnose the cause of a bump on the eyelid. However, if bumps recur regularly, a healthcare provider may decide to perform abiopsy. This involves taking a small tissue sample from the bump and testing and analyzing it. A biopsy can help identify more serious underlying causes, such asskin cancer.

It’s OK to try to treat a bump on the eyelid at home; however, certain circumstances should prompt a visit to a healthcare provider. If you experience any of the following, make an appointment with a healthcare provider:

Summary

A bump on the eyelid is often a chalazion or stye. Other bumps on the eyelid could indicate a papilloma, xanthelasma, or cyst. Symptoms associated with a bump on the eyelid include redness around the bump, swelling, and tearing. Treat a bump on the eyelid with a warm compress up to five times daily. If the bump doesn’t go away after a week of treating it at home, visit a healthcare provider for further treatment.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UF Health.Eyelid bump.Boyd K.What are chalazia and styes?Kaiser Permanente.Styes and chalazia.American Optometric Association.Blepharitis.American Academy of Ophthalmology/EyeWiki.Chalazion.

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UF Health.Eyelid bump.Boyd K.What are chalazia and styes?Kaiser Permanente.Styes and chalazia.American Optometric Association.Blepharitis.American Academy of Ophthalmology/EyeWiki.Chalazion.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

UF Health.Eyelid bump.Boyd K.What are chalazia and styes?Kaiser Permanente.Styes and chalazia.American Optometric Association.Blepharitis.American Academy of Ophthalmology/EyeWiki.Chalazion.

UF Health.Eyelid bump.

Boyd K.What are chalazia and styes?

Kaiser Permanente.Styes and chalazia.

American Optometric Association.Blepharitis.

American Academy of Ophthalmology/EyeWiki.Chalazion.

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