It can include dramatic eyelid swelling, which can be an early warning sign although it is not the most important symptom.Īnaphylaxis can cause faintness, breathing difficulties and collapse, and anaphylaxis tends to come on quickly, the full effects sometimes developing over a few minutes and usually within an hour of symptoms beginning.

It is an extreme and generalised allergic reaction affecting most of your bodily systems. AnaphylaxisĪnaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock, is a medical emergency. See the separate leaflet called Angio-oedema. Rarely, it can be an inherited condition. It can sometimes be non-allergic, and be triggered by extremes of temperature, or by infections. Usually the allergy is to something you have eaten, to medication, to something injected into the skin (usually an insect sting), or to something you have touched such as latex. Over time the extra fluid in the eyelids tends to drop downwards through the action of gravity to fill the area of the lower lid down to the top of the cheek, causing large 'bags' under the eyes.īy James Heilman, MD, Own work), via Wikimedia CommonsĪngio-oedema is often allergic. The eyelids can feel tight and may even be so swollen that you can't open your eyes.

Infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria (which can therefore sometimes cause infection AND allergy at the same time).Īllergic eyelid swelling is often therefore quite dramatic.

Chemicals such as shampoo, make-up, eye drops and contact lens solution.

Naturally occurring substances such as pollens, pet hair and organic dust.

Eyelids can react in an allergic manner to various triggers, including:

In the eyelid the swelling caused by allergic reaction can be quite dramatic, since the eyelid tissue is stretchy and also tends to be quite 'reactive' to allergic stimuli. Allergies occur when your body reacts to a foreign substance (called an allergen) by producing chemicals which cause swelling, redness and itching.

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