Suggest Treatment For Redness And Swelling In The Left Eyelids

Posted on Wed, 22 Feb 2017

Question: Without being aware of any specific injury, Thursday night (it is now Saturday afternon) my left eyelid (only) became swollen and puffed out considerably. I put ice on it for a while. My vision is not impaired at all, and there is no pain in the area, or any headache. I am 76 male with diabetes and Parkinson's as primary aliments. I guess I injured it while getting in a hurry washing up and brushing my hair and possible struck some area around the eye socket, but not hard enough that I noted it at the time. I take the 81 mg aspirin daily, and usually Tylenol and ibuprofen 2-3 days a day along with about 20 other Rx’s spread over a 24 hr. period. I am stopping the Ibuprofen as it is an NSAID, for now. I am now using a gel eye mask every few hours for 20 mins at a time (learned from a lot of PT) to reduce the swelling. The purple started just below the eye brow, but has spread to the whole area of the upper eyelid and spreading out to the outer edges of the lids and downward. No bleeding at all or other symptoms. Am I right to assume there are capillaries in the area that are damaged or reacting to the trauma or whatever caused it, and I just need to continue ice and it should heal in a few days? Thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Clearly blood under the skin!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

This is clearly blood under the skin from reviewing the image. Your age and medications make it easier for blood to leak into surrounding tissue even when the trauma is minimal. Resorption is often spontaneous and requires no specific medical therapy for this. This usually takes a little over a week.

For now, there is no need to rush for immediate medical attention. However, if pain sets in, it spreads further, or vision become impaired, I will suggest that you seek a consultation.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (22 minutes later)

SHOULD I CONTINUE THE ICE TREATMENT AS I DESCRIBE? SINCE IT IS NOT SWOLLEN MUCH, I AM NOT SURE IF THE ICE TREATMENT WILL ACCOMPLISH ANY BENEFIT IN THIS CASE. THANKS, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Ice treatment is not very necessary!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Ice treatment is not very necessary. I will not insist that you continue with it. It mostly helps with swelling and pain. because there is no swelling and pain, you can stop.

I wish you well.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D