Eyelid bumps are common and usually harmless. Several distinct types exist, each with different causes. Dermatologists identify them by appearance and location.
Styes are painful red lumps near the eyelid edge. They form when oil glands or hair follicles get infected. Warm compresses help most styes drain and heal.
Chalazions are firm, painless bumps inside the eyelid. They develop from blocked oil glands called meibomian glands. Gentle heat and massage often resolve them within weeks.
Milia are tiny white cysts filled with keratin. They appear when dead skin cells get trapped near the surface. These bumps usually clear on their own without treatment.
Xanthelasma are yellowish flat patches on the eyelids. They consist of cholesterol deposits under the skin. They may signal high cholesterol and warrant a blood test.
Molluscum contagiosum are small, dome-shaped bumps with a central dimple. A virus causes them, and they spread through contact. A doctor may remove them to prevent transmission.
Papillomas are benign skin growths that look like small tags. They are not contagious and rarely become cancerous. Removal is optional and usually cosmetic.
Never squeeze or pop an eyelid bump at home. This can worsen infection or cause scarring. See a dermatologist if a bump grows, bleeds, or persists.
Most eyelid bumps resolve without serious problems. Proper diagnosis matters because treatments differ. A doctor can confirm the type and rule out rare conditions.
