Eyelid problems
Find out what to do if you have a lump on your eyelid, or an eyelid that's swollen, sticky, itchy, drooping or twitching.
Many eyelid problems are not serious.
It's fairly common to have any of these problems:
- a lump that goes away by itself after 3 or 4 weeks
- mildly itchy, flaky or sticky eyelids that clear up by themselves
- swelling from a nearby insect bite, injury or operation that goes away after a week or so
- twitching or blinking from time to time – often when you're tired
- eyelids that droop (or get more "hooded") as you get older
Your symptoms might give you an idea of the cause. Do not self-diagnose – see a GP if you're worried.
Lump on eyelid
Swollen eyelid
Itchy, flaky or sticky eyelid
Drooping or hooded eyelid
Frequently twitching or blinking eyelid
- what you can do to treat it yourself
- if you can buy anything to help – for example, cleaning solutions for sticky eyelids
- if you need to see an optician or GP
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
- you're worried about an eyelid problem
- it's getting worse or lasting a long time
- your eyelid is painful or you're in a lot of discomfort
- you have yellow lumps or patches around your eyes
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if:
- your swollen eyelid is red, hot, painful, tender or blistered
- your eyelid droops suddenly
- the pain is in your eye (not your eyelid)
- the white of your eye is very red, in part or all over
- you're sensitive to light (photophobia)
- your eyesight changes – for example, you see wavy lines or flashing
- you have a very high temperature, or feel hot and shivery, or you feel generally unwell
- you think it's an allergic reaction
111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.