Care Advice
Treatment for Eyelid Swelling from Suspected Bug Bite
What You Should Know About Eyelid Swelling from Bug Bites:
- Mosquito bites are very common.
- Bites to the face can cause severe swelling around the eye. Reason: the tissues around the eye are loose.
- Size is larger in young children.
- The swelling is harmless.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Cold Pack for Swelling:
- Apply ice wrapped in a wet washcloth to the eye for 20 minutes.
Allergy Medicine for Itching:
- If itching becomes severe, give an allergy medicine, such as Benadryl.
- No prescription is needed. Age limit: 1 and older.
- If needed longer than a few days, switch to a long-acting antihistamine, such as Zyrtec. Follow package directions.
What to Expect:
- Itching may last for 2 days.
- Pinkness or redness lasts about 3 days.
- The eye may be puffy for up to 7 days.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Swelling lasts over 7 days
- Redness lasts over 3 days
- Becomes painful to touch
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Treatment for Eyelid Swelling Without a Cause
What You Should Know about Eyelid Swelling Without a Cause:
- Most eyelid swelling without a cause is from rubbing the eyes.
- The eyelid tissues are loose and easily swell.
- The rubbing is often from getting an irritant in the eye. It's often seen in young children who touch their eyes with dirty hands. While eating, some children even get food in their eyes.
- This type of swelling to an irritant can be treated at home.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Wash Any Irritants Off the Eyelids:
- Use a wet washcloth to clean off the eyelids and surrounding area.
- Rinse eyes with a small amount of warm water on a very wet washcloth.
- Tears should finish the job of cleansing the eye.
What to Expect:
- The itching should stop after the irritant is washed out of the eye. This may take up to a few hours.
- The swelling will clear 24 hours after the child stops rubbing the eye.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Swelling lasts over 3 days
- Eyelid becomes red and painful to the touch
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.