{"id":62450,"date":"2024-01-11T12:52:01","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T17:52:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=62450"},"modified":"2025-09-30T17:49:33","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T21:49:33","slug":"healing-swollen-eyelid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/healing-swollen-eyelid\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the fastest way to heal a swollen eyelid?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swollen eyelids have many potential causes, including allergies, pink eye, blepharitis, styes, fluid retention, orbital cellulitis, insect bites, and more. Most of these conditions are easily treatable, but the question is: which treatment works fastest? You\u2019ve got an array of options, and while the most efficient one typically depends on the cause, there are a few tried-and-true ways to find quick relief, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applying a cold or warm compress<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using artificial tears or allergy eye drops<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rinsing the eye with cool water or a saline solution<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applying topical drops or creams for conditions like infections, eczema, or allergies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping the eyelids clean with a gentle wash like baby shampoo<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"fast-acting-swollen-eyelid-treatments\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast-acting swollen eyelid treatments<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No one\u2019s eager to sport a swollen eyelid to meetings, dates, or around the house, so efficiency is usually a priority. Some root causes resolve faster than others, but certain treatments can reliably provide some quick relief.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"warm-compresses-for-styes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warm compresses for styes<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For swelling that comes from a bump on the eyelid like a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/stye-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stye<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or chalazion, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/james-dello-russo-a1785732\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">James Dello Russo, OD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an optometrist at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thenjeye.com\/eye-center\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Jersey Eye Center<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, says warm is the way to go. \u201cA lot of people think applying cold compresses brings down swelling, but it\u2019s quite the opposite,\u201d he says. \u201cWhen you apply heat, you\u2019re getting 10 times more blood flow, which fights off infection and helps it become localized and drain.\u201d Just dampen a clean washcloth with warm water, then hold it gently over your eye for five to 10 minutes, two to three times daily.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"cold-compresses-for-other-causes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cold compresses for other causes<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, Dr. Dello Russo also says a cool compress or ice pack can reduce swelling caused by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aao.org\/eye-health\/diseases\/allergies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eye allergies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and they can also soothe symptoms like itching and redness. Plus, since cold constricts the blood vessels, it can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aao.org\/eye-health\/tips-prevention\/bags-under-eyes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reduce the appearance of bags under the eyes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that come from fluid retention, lack of sleep, smoking, or aging.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"eye-drops\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eye drops<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/artificial-tears\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Artificial tears<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, also called lubricating eye drops, are a long-standing method for keeping the eyes comfortable, and for good reason. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC9840372\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A systematic review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> showed that they\u2019re not just effective in treating dry eye disease, but also pink eye (conjunctivitis), eye pain, and inflammation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For certain underlying causes of eyelid swelling, medicated eye drops might work even faster. For example, antihistamine eye drops like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/pataday\/what-is\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pataday<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (olopatadine) or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/zaditor?q=Zaditor\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zaditor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (ketotifen fumarate) can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/best-allergy-medicine-for-itchy-eyes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">relieve swelling from allergies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antibiotic eye drops may work quickly for certain cases of pink eye. However, these antibiotics\u2014like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/sulfacetamide-sodium\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bleph 10 (sulfacetamide sodium)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/moxifloxacin-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moxeza (moxifloxacin)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014only work for bacterial conjunctivitis, not allergic conjunctivitis or a viral infection, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aaojournal.org\/article\/S0161-6420(17)30415-3\/fulltext\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">they\u2019re often overprescribed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"creams-and-ointments\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creams and ointments<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The skin of the eyelid is thin, and not all types of creams or ointments should be used around the eyes. But there are some that are useful in treating different causes of a swollen eyelid. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7187156\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Corticosteroids<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/hydrocortisone\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hydrocortisone<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are often used to treat eyelid dermatitis. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/topical-antibiotics\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Topical antibiotics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/bacitracin-polymyxin-b\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bacitracin-polymyxin B<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can treat bacterial infections in conditions like conjunctivitis and blepharitis. Doctors sometimes prescribe ointments simultaneously with eye drops.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"eyewash-solutions\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eyewash solutions<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a foreign body in your eye can be anxiety-inducing, and it can also lead to inflammation. Eyelashes, hair, dirt, pollen, contact lenses, makeup particles, and airborne allergens can all get stuck in the eye, potentially causing a reaction. The good news is that repeated blinking can usually remove them. But sometimes, they require a little more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhen you have a swollen eye from allergies to cats, dust, etc., wash out the eye with cool water to flush out the allergen(s) that may have irritated it,\u201d says Dr. Dello Russo.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rinsing your eye with cool water is typically enough, but using an eyewash solution can work as well. As a bonus, these solutions may also help flush out bacteria, mucus, or viruses that can cause other infections.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"other-treatment-options-for-a-swollen-eyelid\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other treatment options for a swollen eyelid<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The treatments for eyelid swelling are almost as abundant as its causes, but some might not work quite as fast as others. Here are a few other common options.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"oral-antihistamines\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oral antihistamines<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the eyelid swelling, redness, itching, irritation, and watery eyes that can come from an allergic reaction, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/antihistamines\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">oral antihistamines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/claritin\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Claritin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/allegra-allergy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allegra<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/zyrtec\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zyrtec<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may do the trick. When the immune system senses an allergen, it sends a chemical called histamine to the site, which can cause inflammation. Antihistamines block this chemical, reducing the inflammation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, antihistamine eye drops often work faster since they deliver the medicine directly to the site. Plus,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/aacijournal.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s13223-020-0403-9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> according to studies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, oral antihistamines may cause more side effects, including eye dryness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"ophthalmic-nsaids\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ophthalmic NSAIDs<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most people have some experience using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) for a headache, sore muscles, or a fever. However, according to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S003962570900191X\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, \u201csystemic and topical NSAIDs have proven effective in treating many inflammatory ocular disorders\u201d as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But we\u2019re not talking about ibuprofen or aspirin. Popular ophthalmic NSAIDs, like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/acular\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acular (ketorolac)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/bromsite\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bromsite (bromfenac)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, were developed specifically for eye pain and inflammation. They\u2019re not as potent as steroids for reducing swelling of the eyelids, but they also have fewer potential side effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"avoid-contacts-and-makeup\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid contacts and makeup<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wearing contacts can further irritate your already swollen eye. Plus, when they rub against the inside of the upper eyelid, they can cause a condition called giant papillary conjunctivitis, leading to redness, itching, swelling, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/eye-pain-causes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eye pain<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. So, removing them for a while can reduce potential eye irritants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cosmetics are typically safe to use around the eyes, but they may contain substances that cause contact dermatitis. Additionally, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1111\/ics.12053\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found bacteria in 79% of expired mascara, which may cause an eye infection. Like avoiding contacts, putting away the makeup will help reduce the number of irritants that could exacerbate your swelling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"cut-back-on-salt-and-alcohol\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cut back on salt and alcohol<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, puffiness around the eyes can come from excess water retention, and dietary habits can cause or worsen it. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/yuna-rapoport-a3653a94\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yuna Rapoport, MD, MPH<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the founder and CEO of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattaneyenyc.com\/about-dr-rapoport\/dr-yuna-rapoport-bio\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manhattan Eye<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, says, \u201cdecreasing alcohol intake and increasing water intake are two helpful changes\u201d when dealing with swollen eyelids.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sodium balances the amount of water inside and outside our cells, so <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/34798374\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a high-sodium diet can throw it off<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, causing swelling in the hands, feet, face, and other places.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alcohol can cause bloating, which may have a similar effect on the eyes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"elevate-your-head-overnight\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elevate your head overnight<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While you sleep, fluid can settle around your eyes, which is sometimes why they appear puffy in the morning. Adding an extra pillow to prop up your head overnight can prevent this fluid retention, reducing the appearance of puffiness or bags under your eyes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"unsafe-treatments-for-swollen-eyelids\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unsafe treatments for swollen eyelids<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just because people claim certain home remedies can reduce swelling doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re safe, especially when it concerns your eyes. The cornea (surface of the eye) is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3317425\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">400 times more sensitive than the skin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so you want to keep it safe and avoid unproven treatments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\t\t<div class=\"singlecare-dynamic-newsletter-wrapper sin-newsletter-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"heading\">Get our allergies newsletter<\/span>\n\t\t\t<form class=\"form-wrapper\" data-newsletter-form=\"1\" data-subsource=\"Allergies Newsletter\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"input-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"dynamic-email\">Email<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"email\" id=\"dynamic-email\" class=\"email\" required>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"input-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<input class=\"submit-form-btn\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Click to sign up\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\t<p class=\"success-message\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"hemorrhoid-cream\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hemorrhoid cream<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TikTokers might swear by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/preparation-h\/what-is\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preparation H<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as an instant cure for a puffy eyelid but don\u2019t jump on the bandwagon. It\u2019s true that the cream typically contains phenylephrine, which can constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling\u2014after all, that\u2019s part of how it treats hemorrhoids. The problem is that the skin around the eyes is exceptionally thin and sensitive, and these creams often contain ingredients that can irritate or damage it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long-term use of hemorrhoid creams under the eyes can cause skin-thinning, inflammatory reactions, acne, or permanent skin discoloration. That\u2019s why the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d6148d77-ef6f-4552-b5ba-43b429923f19\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preparation H Anti-Itch label<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> specifically recommends avoiding contact with the eyes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"breast-milk\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breast milk<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You read that right. Some have touted breast milk as an effective <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/pink-eye-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">treatment for pink eye<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. While <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33098117\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that it showed some efficacy in breastfeeding children younger than 6 months old, there\u2019s no evidence that it works for adults. In fact, it can be downright harmful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breast milk contains bacteria that are healthy for an infant\u2019s gut but not an adult\u2019s eye. When applied directly, those bacteria can cause a far more serious infection than conjunctivitis, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aao.org\/eye-health\/tips-prevention\/scariest-eye-cures-viral-tiktok-influencer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"raw-meat\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raw meat<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In movies and TV, the quintessential cure for a swollen or black eye is slapping a steak on it. In real life, not so much. The raw meat\u2019s coldness might temporarily reduce some inflammation, but it also contains bacteria that can infect the eye.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reach for a cold compress instead.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"squeezing-or-popping\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Squeezing or popping<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anyone who grew up popping their pimples might want to do the same thing with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aao.org\/eye-health\/diseases\/what-are-chalazia-styes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stye or chalazion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014but Dr. Dello Russo says you should \u201c<\/span><b>always<\/b> <b>avoid<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> trying to pop a stye with needles or tweezers.\u201d This can spread the infection to other parts of the eye or leave you with scar tissue on your eyelid. And it\u2019s never a good idea to use sharp objects around your eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Rapoport goes a step further and says, \u201cPutting pressure on the swollen eyelid should also be avoided, as this would be unsafe.\u201d Even better, just avoid touching the stye altogether since your fingers could introduce more bacteria to the eye area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-long-does-it-take-for-a-swollen-eyelid-to-go-down\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long does it take for a swollen eyelid to go down?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like everything else, the duration of a swollen eyelid depends on its cause and how quickly you address it. Here\u2019s the typical timeline for eyelid swelling by cause:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Puffy eyes or an allergic reaction might only last a day or two.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aoa.org\/healthy-eyes\/eye-and-vision-conditions\/blepharitis?sso=y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blepharitis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a chronic medical condition with occasional flare-ups.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eyelid dermatitis can last for a few days to a few weeks, but symptoms can be chronic if the root cause isn\u2019t accurately diagnosed and treated.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A stye or chalazion might last a few weeks.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pink eye often subsides within one to two weeks with treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"when-to-see-a-doctor-for-a-swollen-eyelid\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to see a doctor for a swollen eyelid<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many causes of eye swelling resolve on their own with home care and good hygiene, but some require a physical examination from an eye doctor, along with medical treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cUsually, a swollen eyelid should go down within a week,\u201d says Dr. Rapoport. \u201cAfter that time, I would recommend seeing an eye doctor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A swollen eyelid is seldom a cause for panic since the most common causes rarely require immediate medical care. However, certain symptoms can indicate more serious problems and should not go unaddressed. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe symptoms, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vision loss or double vision<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acute eye trauma<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Persistent high fever<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe swelling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bulging eyes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of normal eye movement<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Swollen eyelids have many potential causes, including allergies, pink eye, blepharitis, styes, fluid retention, orbital cellulitis, insect bites, and more. Most of these conditions are easily treatable, but the question is: which treatment works fastest? You\u2019ve got an array of options, and while the most efficient one typically depends on the cause, there are a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":62451,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8029],"tags":[554,20954],"coauthors":[8861],"class_list":["post-62450","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-education","tag-allergies","tag-infections","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is the fastest way to heal a swollen eyelid?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Warm\/cold compresses, artificial tears, allergy eye drops, saline, and keeping eyelids clean are some fast-acting swollen eyelid treatments.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/healing-swollen-eyelid\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is the fastest way to heal a swollen eyelid? 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