Eye conditions or problems involving the eyelid alone may cause your child's lid to swell. In severe cases of inflammation, the eyelid could swell shut completely. Toddlers and other young children may have a difficult time expressing their level of discomfort. You will most likely feel concerned about the swelling, but understanding the possible causes and what to do to help your child will help you know when to seek treatment for your child.
Causes
A swollen eyelid may stem from conditions such as an eye infection or a stye. An eye infection such as pink eye often causes initial symptoms such as eye redness, itching and a thick discharge. A stye in the lid occurs from a clogged oil gland in the eyelid. This will typically result in a lump in the eyelid with swelling around the bump. The physical appearance of your child's eyelids as well as accompanying symptoms will help the doctor determine the cause for the eyelid inflammation.
Compresses
Your child's pediatrician may recommend a compress to help reduce swelling or treat the condition. In the case of an eye infection, a cool, damp cloth held against the eyelids may help soothe discomfort and ease swelling. If your child has discharge that dries on her eyelashes, you may need to hold a warm cloth in place to loosen the matter and wipe it away. In the case of styes, a warm, damp compress held against your child's affected eye for approximately five minutes a few times each day may help loosen the blockage. This typically takes a few days to have an effect.
If you have a difficult time keeping your toddler in one place while holding the compress, make that time special by turning his favorite show on the television or letting him color or look through a new book. Use your toddler's interests to find a way to keep him sitting still for those few minutes each day.
Other Treatment
If your child has an eye infection that caused her eyelid to swell shut, she may need a medication to help treat the source of the infection. Her doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic or an eye drop. You may need to have your toddler lie his head back so that you can place an eye drop in the corner of her eye next to her nose. The drop will slowly seep into her eye.
A stye that does not respond to compresses may require the doctor to make a small slit in the eyelid to drain the gland. Your child's doctor will recommend this step only if the inflammation worsens or your child has significant pain.
Considerations
Once you notice eyelid swelling or other signs of an eye problem, contact your pediatrician. She will examine your toddler's eyes to determine a cause and provide ways to help prevent further swelling or other complications. Do not try to treat an eye condition without first talking to the pediatrician, since treatments differ depending on the cause of the swelling.
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