The lower eyelid suddenly swelled up

The importance of eyes is self-evident. This part is also a place where problems easily occur. The most typical one is a sudden swelling of the lower eyelid. The most common cause is stye, which has characteristics such as redness, swelling, heat and pain. In order to determine whether it is a stye, we need to have a comprehensive understanding of the situation of the stye and compare it with our own problems, so that we can draw the most accurate conclusion.

Stye, also known as sty and hordeolum, is an acute suppurative inflammation of the sebaceous glands or meibomian glands near the eyelash follicles. Stye is divided into two types: internal hordeolum and external hordeolum: 1. External hordeolum is an acute suppurative inflammation of the Zeis gland. Initially, the eyelid margin shows localized congestion and swelling, and a nodule forms after 2 to 3 days. The swelling, pain and tenderness are obvious. Later, the nodule gradually softens and forms a yellow pustule at the root of the eyelashes, which breaks through and discharges pus quickly. Severe cases may have systemic symptoms such as chills and fever. 2. Internal hordeolum is an acute purulent inflammation of the meibomian gland. Its clinical symptoms are not as severe as those of external hordeolum, because the inflamed meibomian gland is surrounded by firm tarsal plate tissue. Yellow pus masses are often faintly visible on the surface of the congested palpebral conjunctiva, which may break through and discharge pus into the conjunctival sac on its own. The opening of the meibomian gland may be slightly raised and congested, and pus may also be discharged along the palpebral gland duct. A few cases may also break through the skin and discharge pus. If the tarsal plate fails to break through and the pathogen is highly toxic, the inflammation will expand, invade the entire tarsal plate tissue, and form an eyelid abscess.

Clinical manifestations : 1. Localized redness, swelling, heat and pain on the eyelid skin, and edema of the adjacent conjunctiva. 2. When pus accumulates locally, yellow pus heads appear. External hordeolum occurs in the sebaceous glands at the root of the eyelashes and manifests itself on the skin surface; internal hordeolum occurs in the meibomian glands and manifests itself on the conjunctival surface. After rupture and drainage of pus, the pain will be relieved and the redness and swelling will subside. 3. Severe cases are accompanied by enlarged and tender preauricular and submandibular lymph nodes, general chills, fever, etc.

Treatment 1. Early moist heat compress or magnetic field therapy promotes infiltration absorption or rapid suppuration of nodules. 2. Surgical incision: When the inflammation is under control and pus accumulates to form a wave-like feeling, the incision can be made to drain the pus and properly clean up the necrotic or granulation tissue. Depending on the situation, placement of a drainage strip can be considered. After the inflammation subsides, if there is still residual granulation tissue or nodules left, surgical removal can be performed again. However, it should be noted that the skin incision of the external hordeolum should be parallel to the eyelid margin, and the conjunctival incision of the internal hordeolum should be perpendicular to the eyelid margin. Avoid inappropriate squeezing to prevent the inflammation from spreading into the orbit and cranium, causing orbital cellulitis, cavernous sinus phlebitis, meningitis and abscess, which may be life-threatening. 3. Autoimmune therapy can be used for stubborn and recurrent cases. Patients with systemic fever and swollen preauricular and submandibular lymph nodes can be treated with antibiotics.

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