Differential Diagnosis for Bilateral Eyelids Swelling
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Allergic Reaction: This is often the most common cause of bilateral eyelid swelling, typically presenting with itching, redness, and swelling due to an allergic response to substances like pollen, makeup, or certain medications.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Insect Bites or Stings: Similar to allergic reactions, bites or stings can cause localized or generalized swelling, including the eyelids, depending on the severity of the reaction.
- Contact Dermatitis: An allergic or irritant reaction to substances that come into contact with the skin around the eyes, leading to swelling, redness, and sometimes blistering.
- Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelids that can cause swelling, usually accompanied by redness, itching, and crusting around the eyelashes.
- Conjunctivitis: Infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva, which can lead to swelling of the eyelids, discharge, and redness of the eyes.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Angioedema: A severe, potentially life-threatening condition that can cause rapid swelling of the eyelids, face, and airways, often associated with an allergic reaction or genetic predisposition.
- Orbital Cellulitis: A bacterial infection of the tissues surrounding the eye, which can cause swelling of the eyelids, proptosis (bulging of the eye), and severe pain, requiring prompt antibiotic treatment.
- Thyroid Eye Disease: Associated with Graves' disease, this condition can cause swelling of the eyelids, proptosis, and eye movement abnormalities due to autoimmune inflammation of the tissues around the eye.
Rare Diagnoses
- Sarcoidosis: A systemic disease that can cause inflammation in various parts of the body, including the eyes, leading to swelling of the eyelids, uveitis, and other ocular symptoms.
- Wegener's Granulomatosis (Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis): A rare autoimmune disorder that can affect various organs, including the eyes, causing swelling, pain, and potentially severe vision problems.
- Amyloidosis: A condition characterized by the deposition of abnormal proteins (amyloid) in various tissues, which can lead to swelling of the eyelids among other systemic symptoms.