Having a swollen eyebrow can be really frustrating. In this article, we discuss the causes including Edema lump on face and sinus. We shall also show you how face waxing and eyebrow piercing can cause the swelling. Finally we shall give you some tips on how to relieve the pain and treat the swelling.
Having a swollen eyebrow can disfigure the way you look. It may also be a problem to your vision. To avoid unwanted risk, you need to see a health care provider if the swelling persist or starts to affect the eye. Treating a swelling will depend on first treating what is causing the swelling. For those caused by an infection, treating the infection is key in treating the swelling.
What causes swelling of the eyebrow?
People often develop swelling on different [parts of the body due to varying causes. Eyebrows swelling is no different, the swelling can be both caused by an external cause or an internal underlying medical condition. The following are some of the common causes that might cause you eyebrows to swell.
NOTE the information and diagnosis provide cannot be substitute for a real physical medical diagnosis. Please visit your health care provider to clarify the cause before commencing medication.
1. Edema above the eyes
The first possible cause of eyebrow swelling is Edema. This is defined as the swelling of the body tissue due to the retention of the lymphatic fluid and others in the tissue. Once this happens, then the symptoms will start to appear gradually. According to research, around 4.4 million people have develop edema before.
A swollen eyebrow caused by edema result from the capillaries around the eye leaking fluids around the eyebrow. It is also possible that edema can be caused by an underlying medical infection. Other possible causes include; sitting or standing for long, surgery, high altitudes, sun burns, pregnancy and physical inactivity for those people who do not do any.
Medical diseases that might cause edema are arthritis, lung failure, thyroid disease, and diabetes and liver failures. The symptoms exhibited will include;
- Skin swelling
- Itching
- Weight gain
- Raised pulse rate
- The skin might appear shiny and stretchy
Treating edema involve treating the underlying cause of the infection. The treatment option available will otherwise include;
- Diuretics, this are medications that will help increase the rate of urinating, to get out excess fluid through the kidney
- Lucentis, approved by the FDA to help control the blood sugar level
- Controlling blood vessel l growth or Antiangiogenesis therapy
2. Swelling of the eyebrow after hit
The eye is among the most sensitive parts of our body. Any external substance camming in contact with the eye can cause damage such as orbital blowout fractures, this are fractures caused when the bone that covers the eye becomes damaged or fractured.
Hard physical contact such as fists on eye, or hit from a moving ball can cause this damage, depending on how mild or severe the fractures is, your doctor will examine you and prescribe the best medical care.
Symptoms associated with damaged orbital bone include a red eye, swollen eyebrows, headaches and swollen lymph nodes at times. A combination of warm compress and anti-inflammatory will help relieve the swelling and pain caused.
3. Swollen eyebrow after threading
Threading is an ancient way of hair removal. It’s mostly done on the eyebrows for cosmetics purposes. It is one of the most hygienic procedure, no chemical is used and the thread can only be used once per person. Threading also reduces the chance of contact dermatitis or atopic dermatitis given that the only thing coming to contact with your face is the thread.
Threading is an art, it becomes very difficult to find that person who can perform the act to precision. When not done properly, threading can cause the hair follicles to break or get damaged. This is a condition known as folliculitis. The eyebrow pore may become clogged, pack I dead cells and fluid or become swollen.
A swollen eyebrow caused by threading should not worry you. The symptoms will clear on their own in about a week. You need to keep you face clean, avoid further hair removal till the swelling has cleared, a worm or cold compress twice a day will also help relieve the swelling.
4. Swollen eyebrow after Botox
We all strive to look good and young especially for lady. Cosmetic surgery and other facial restriction procedures have been used in recent times. The number of people during this has increased over time, this is according to research by a leading cosmetic company. One of this procedures is Botox.
Botox is a medical procedure used to treat certain muscular condition and cosmetically to remove wrinkles by paralyzing facial muscles. A drug prepared from the bacterial toxin botulin is injected into the facial muscles from specific location on the face.
When this procedure is not done well or excesses toxin botulin is injected into the muscles, then the muscles my swell. With this, then it is very possible for you to have a swollen eyebrow. The side effects of Botox include allergic reaction, rash on face and other body parts, itchy skin, neck or face pain, muscles stiffness and nausea for some people. Please seek medical attention if you develop the following symptoms;
- You have problems breathing
- Severe muscles pain
- You have problems controlling your bladder
- General skin itching
- Have problem with vision
- Severe skin rash
- Uneven heartbeat
5. Ingrown eyebrow hair
The other possible cause of a swollen eyebrow is when one has an ingrown hair on the eyebrow. This is common among women due to different techniques they apply keeping the eyebrow hair intact and in good shape. This techniques include waxing, tweezing, threading or shaving.
When the above procedures are not done properly, the hair follicles may get damaged. The pores become blocked making it hard for hair to penetrate the skin. So the hair grows inwards. The pores may at time be filled with keratin, dead cells and tissue forming a lump, cyst or bump on the eyebrow.
5the condition is not life threatening, however, if your lymph nodes start to swell, your face develop very itchy and painful rash and bumps then you may see a doctor. People with chronic medical condition such as diabetes, cancer and HIV/AIDS should avoid over-the-counter medication. To avoid mixing the medicine seek medical advice from your health care provider.
Treatment will otherwise include;
- A warm compress for different intervals through the day
- For the swelling, topic ointments with antibacterial, anti-itching and antiseptic creams can all be helpful
- For itching and inflamed eyebrow you can use Corticosteroid cream
6. Swollen eyebrow allergy
A swollen eyebrow can also be caused by allergic reaction to foods such as those with lots of protein or vitamins. The allergic reaction can also be caused by drug allergy. External substance such as face creams and lotion all have chemical compounds that could be reactive to your face causing swelling
You need to visit a health care provider to establish what is causing the reaction. Please avoid any over-the-counter medication until the cause of the allergy is known.
7. Red swollen eyebrow lump after waxing
Waxing can also cause a swollen eyebrow when not performed properly. This happen due to the damage of hair follicles, which cause the blocking of the skin pores, It is also possible to have rash and painful bumps caused by the accumulation of keratin and dead cell and tissue accumulation on the clogged hair pores.
To relieve the pain, discontinue waxing for some time. Topical ointments such as anti-itching creams may be used. If your lymph nodes begin to swell or other cold-like symptoms start to show up then you could be infected, please visit a health care provider.
8. Swollen eyebrow piercing
Having your eyebrow pierced can be fun. But when it is not done correctly or with clean tools then it could be a possible cause of eyebrow infection. Some people are also allergic to the metal used to make the ring. The wound on your eyebrow can also be a trap for bacterial and other pathogen causing infection when left open for long.
The best practice when piercing your eyebrow is to first make sure that the tools you are using are clean and sanitized before use. Avoid sharing this tools since it is possible for you to get infected or transmit infection from one person to another. Do not remove the ring immediately after piercing, leave the wound to heal first.
After piercing you can clean the wound with antiseptic such as methylated spirit or hydrogen peroxide. See a doctor when the eyebrow become swollen for long, lymph nodes start to swell or the wound becomes itchy and painful for long.
9. Swollen eyebrow sinus
Sinus is the inflammation of the sinuses- hollow-space filled with air found behind the bones of the face and leads to the nose cavity. Sinus can be caused by fungi, bacteria, virus or an allergy. In mild cases of sinus, the symptoms clears up on their own without any medication required.
The condition can be uncomfortable and painful at times, it can also because you face to swell and get inflamed. If this symptoms fail to go away, please visit a health care provider.
How to relieve swelling after eyebrow have been waxed
Waxing is a common practice of hair removal. When not done properly or with the right tools, then it becomes possible for the process to damage your hair follicles. With damaged follicles on you eyebrows then becomes possible for them to swell or get inflamed.
To relieve the swelling after waxing you need to the following;
- Cleanse your face with soothing and antiseptic lotion
- To reduce the redness and waxing use ice cube to pat your face
- You need to also use a hydrating product such as baby oil
- You need to avoid make up.
Swollen eyebrows thyroid
Thyroid is an eye disease that causes the eye muscles and soft eye tissue within the eye socket to swell. When this happens, the eyeball pushes forward and causes various other eye symptoms. The common symptoms will thus include swollen eyebrows, constant tear drop. Thyroid eye disease is usually associated with an abnormality of the thyroid glands.
The disease is serious and may affect the eye, to counter this, you need to see an optician as soon as possible, or any professional health care provider. Treating thyroid disease involves preventing the disease from affecting the eye. The common most treatment option would include;
- Use of artificial tears
- Medicine and eye drops
- Depending on how severe the symptoms are, surgery may be prescribed.
Eyebrow swollen for No reason
Sometimes the eye my swell for no particular reason. Once you visit your doctor and you are diagnosed and no underlying infection is found to be the cause of the swelling, it is possible then to assume that the cause of the swelling is an auto immune disorder.
An auto immune disorder occurs when your body produces antibodies that start to fight your own body cells. This may result in swelling and inflammation of the skin around the affected are. The condition is not permanent and clears out on its own without medication. The signs and symptoms of an auto immune disorder vary from person to person depending on how strong your immune system is.
The actual cause of an auto immune disorder is unknown, however, the following can trigger the attack of the immune system;
- An attack by a virus or a bacteria
- Medical drugs
- Chemical irritants such as soap and body lotion
- Environmental irritant such when you change your climate
The an auto immune infection is a chronic condition, the cure for the disorder is not yet known, however to reduce the symptoms and prevent the spread to other body parts you need to;
- Eat a balance diet
- You need to excesses often
- You can take vitamin A supplements
- Reduce sun exposure
- Reduce general stress.
Swollen eyebrow lymph node
Could the swollen eyebrows be caused by swelling lymph nodes? The answer is a plausible yes. Our body has a network of node called the lymph nodes connected through a system called the lymphatic system. This is the part of the body immune system that helps fight pathogens and prevent infection.
The lymphatic system is responsible for getting rid of the toxin, waste and many other unwanted materials from the body. All this is done with the help of other body organs and tissues. The primary function of the system is to move lymphatic fluid, this is the fluid containing the white blood cells that are responsible for fighting infection. It is also responsible for transporting the fluid all through the body from organ to organ tissue to tissue.
The connection of the lymphatic system ends in round pea sized ball called the lymph node or lymph glands. This are the ones responsible for filtering the lymphatic fluid. Other parts of the lymphatic system include the tonsils, the adenoids, the spleen and the thymus. In the cause of doing this, the nodes may get infected or “overpowered” with the pathogens in the body, at this point, the lymph nodes may swell, when happening around the eyebrows, you are most likely to get a swollen eyebrow.
Swollen lymph node clears on its own after a day or two, but f you are one of the following people, you need to see you doctor as soon as possible;
- People with HIV/AIDS
- Those suffering from diabetes,
- Those with any chronic medical condition
- Those using medication that boosts or suppresses the immune system
- Pregnant or lactating mothers
Forehead swelling above eyebrow lump
Having your forehead swelling can be the most conspicuous sign of an underlying medical infection or just a simple allergic reaction to an irritant also called contact dermatitis. But is this swelling common or harmful? For many people any unexplained swelling can be a reason to worry. For people with strong immune system, or those who excises regularly and stick to a balance diet this kind of thing goes away after a day or two.
When the swelling is not caused by an underlying medical condition, then a simple warm compress and applying anti-inflammatory creams and gel should help get your face skin back to normal. Otherwise, if the swelling fails to go away after a week, then you need to have a medical profession examine you to get to the root of all this. It’s only after your body has been diagnosed that you can have your doctor prescribe the best treatment option for the swelling on your forehead.
The most common cause of a swelling forehead can include but not limited to the following;
- Contact dermatitis, your body reacts due to physical contact with an irritant. This may cause you skin to develop bumps and rash that might be itchy and painful
- Auto immune disorder, this happens when your body start to react to normal and healthy body cells
- Allergic reaction to foods and soaps, for many people different chemical components making soups might be reactive to their skin causing the skin to swell. Mineral composition in food such as vitamins and protein might also cause this kind of swelling for same people.
- Swollen lymph node around face
- External injury and trauma, physical hitting your face on a hard object of a fist might all cause the face to swell.
Swollen eyebrow bone with headache
A swollen eyebrow bone can cause a lot of pain. It is very discomforting and at time result to headaches. In most cases, this swelling indicates a more serious underlying condition. This is caused by the damage or hurting the orbital bone. The orbital bone is what makes the socket of the eye and helps hold it in place.
The common cause of orbital damage is external injuries and trauma. This can be as a result of accident or you hitting your eyebrow with a hard object. Other causes can include wrong methods of waxing where the skin is pulled with a lot of force.
The most common visible symptoms or a swollen eyebrow bone (orbital bone) will include;
- Severe headache
- Painful eye socket
- Swollen eyebrow
- It is also possible to experience visual problems
- The eye may become red
- Numbness of the cheek, nose and teeth
- You may also experience episodes of nose bleeding.
When treating an injured eyebrow bone, you need to be very careful with the type of anti-inflammatory creams you apply. You should also be careful not to spill the cream on the eye since this can be very irritating. You may also apply a cold or warm compress gently around the eyebrow to sooth the skin and prevent further swelling.
If the symptoms persist or the pain and swelling fail to go away after a week please visit a health care provider.
Treatment for eyebrow swelling
Treating a swollen eyebrow can only be done properly when the actual cause of the swelling has been diagnosed and established. Most swelling clear up on their own without any medical attention given but when the underlying medical cause is not treated, then the swelling are more likely to recur.
You should avoid self-medication, you need to have a professional health provider check on the symptoms and prescribe the medication for you. The following treatment option can be used for a swollen eyebrow;
- Suturing for severe injuries and trauma cause on the orbital bone
- Topical creams and lotion
- Painkillers such as paracetamol
- Vitamin A supplements to boost your immune system
- Anti-inflammatory
- antibiotics
- Eye drops may also be used to help protect the eye from an infection.
Sources and references
- http://www.homeremediesorg.com/eye/swollen-eyebrow/swollen-eyebrow-area-bone-above-pimple-piercing-treatment/
- https://www.aapos.org/terms/conditions/28
- http://www.healthline.com/health/autoimmune-disorders#Treatment6
- http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159111.php?page=2
- http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/eye-injuries.htm
- http://www.rxlist.com/botox-side-effects-drug-center.htm
- http://www.treatnheal.com/hair/ingrown-hair/ingrown-eyebrow-hair-cyst-bump-infection-remove-get-rid/
- http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/149941.php