What is the cause of left upper eyelid swelling and foreign body sensation in a 51-year-old female after campfire exposure?

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Differential Diagnosis for Left Upper Eyelid Swelling

  • Single most likely diagnosis
    • Allergic conjunctivitis: The patient's symptoms of eyelid swelling and feeling of something in the eye, along with the use of allergy drops, suggest an allergic reaction. The recent exposure to a campfire could have triggered the allergy, and the lack of improvement with allergy drops may indicate a need for a different treatment approach.
  • Other Likely diagnoses
    • Irritant conjunctivitis: Exposure to particulates from the campfire could have caused irritation and inflammation of the conjunctiva, leading to eyelid swelling and discomfort.
    • Blepharitis: This condition involves inflammation of the eyelids and can cause swelling, redness, and irritation, which may be exacerbated by exposure to irritants like campfire smoke.
    • Dry eye syndrome: The feeling of something in the eye and irritation could be symptoms of dry eye syndrome, which may be worsened by environmental factors like smoke exposure.
  • Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
    • Orbital cellulitis: Although the patient denies fever and significant pain, orbital cellulitis is a serious infection that can cause eyelid swelling and requires prompt treatment to prevent complications.
    • Angioedema: This condition can cause rapid swelling of the eyelids and face, and while it is less likely, it is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
  • Rare diagnoses
    • Thyroid ophthalmopathy: This condition can cause eyelid swelling and retraction, but it is less likely given the acute onset and lack of other symptoms like vision changes or diplopia.
    • Sarcoidosis: This autoimmune disease can cause uveitis and eyelid swelling, but it is a rare condition that would require further evaluation and testing to diagnose.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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