What Is That Bump on Your Eyelid? 4 Possible Causes (2025)

An eyelid bump is often a stye, a pimple-like bump that can be uncomfortable or unsightly but goes away on its own. Other causes include milia (milium), chalazion, or, in rare cases, skin cancer. A milium is a white bump caused by dead skin cells trapped under your skin.

You can typically prevent eyelid bumps by always washing your hands before touching your face. Most bumps on the eyelids go away on their own, but a healthcare provider can help drain the bump if it does not.

Bumps on the eyelid come in various forms, each with different causes. Here are some of the most common types of eyelid bumps and what to do about them.

1. Stye

A stye is one of the most common bumps on the eyelid bumps. Styes are pimple-like bumps that form on the lash line.These bumps form if bacteria enter oil glands that line the insides of your eyelids and lubricate your eyes. The result is a painful, swollen, sometimes pus-filled bump.

Risk factors for styes include:

• Improperly disinfecting your contact lenses
• Not removing your makeup before bed
• Not throwing away eye makeup three months after your first use

2. Chalazia

You may have a chalazion if you have a hard lump under your skin. Chalazia develop when thick oil blocks the oil gland. You may also develop a chalazion if a stye does not heal. Chalazia are often painless and typically resolve within one month.

To try to reduce your risk of chalazia, you can:

• Remove eye makeup before bed
• Replace eye makeup every three months
• Use warm compresses to improve oil secretion
• Wash your hands before touching around your eyes or removing contact lenses

3. Milia

Miliaare tiny white bumps that develop if dead skin cells become trapped under your skin. These bumps can appear anywhere but often show up around your eyes. Long-term use of corticosteroids or skin damage from an injury, rash, or the sun may cause milia.

Milia most often appear in newborns, but they can occur at any age. Other risk factors include:

• Certain skin conditions (e.g., dandruff)
• Oil-based makeup
• Poor sleep
• Skin care products that clog pores

4. Skin Cancer

A lump that bleeds or does not go away with treatment might beskin cancer. The lump is often yellowish and painless. A malignant (cancerous) bump may ooze, grow slowly, and affect vision. These bumps can appear on both the upper and lower eyelids.

One of the most common causes of skin cancer is unprotected ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. Do the following if the UV index is three or higher:

• Stay in the shade
• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
• Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat

Symptoms

Eyelid bump symptoms may vary, depending on what's causing it. A bump typically develops at the center or the edge of the eyelid. These bumps can be painless or cause discomfort.

Other eyelid bump symptoms may include:

• A gritty or itchy sensation in your eye
• A small pus spot in the middle of the bump
• Blurry vision
• Crusting along your eyelids
• Sensitivity to light
• Swelling
• Watery eyes

The prognosis of a bump on the eyelid is usually good. Eyelid bumps often go away on their own or with medical treatment and home care. Treatment for a bump of the eyelid depends on the culprit.

Eyelid cellulitis, or an infection of the eyelid, may occur in some cases. This infection typically requires oral antibiotics.

Medical Treatment

An ophthalmologist (eye and vision specialist) may need to drain styes and chalazia that are painful, affect your vision, or continue to grow. Do not squeeze the bump yourself, which could spread the infection and require antibiotics.

Milia typically clear up on their own. A healthcare provider can remove milia with medical treatments like:

• Chemical peels
• Dermabrasion, or a procedure in which a dermatologist scrapes away the outermost skin layers
• Extreme cold or heat
• Laser surgery
• Medication

Removal can be tricky if an eyelid bump is skin cancer. A dermatologist can refer you to a surgeon who specializes in Mohs surgery. The surgeon will remove the affected area layer by layer until you are cancer-free. Mohs surgery is highly effective and minimizes scarring.

Home Care

You can speed up the healing process with home remedies, such as:

• Allow the bump to drain on its own. You can gently massage the area around your eye with clean hands to assist this process.
• Apply a warm compress to the affected areas for 10 minutes. Repeat at least four times per day.
• Avoid wearing contact lenses and eye makeup until the bump goes away.
  

Prevention

A fish oil supplement may help prevent eyelid bumps. Talk to a healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting any supplement. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) minimally regulates supplements, and fish oil may not be suitable for you.

To further prevent eyelid bumps, you can:

• Apply tea tree oil to the eyelids
• Remove oil from around your eyelids with over-the-counter eyelid scrubs
• Wash your hands before touching your face

Most eyelid bumps are harmless and go away on their own. Some lumps can signify something more severe.See a healthcare provider if the bump becomes large or painful or does not improve within two weeks of home treatment.

Other signs to contact a healthcare provider include:

• A hot feeling in the eyelid
• Blistering, crusting, and scaling of the eyelid
• Blood and pus
• Fever and chills
• Loss of eyelashes
• Recurrent bumps
• Redness
• Sensitivity to light, watery eyes, and vision changes
• Swelling that increases after the first two or three days
  

A Quick Review

A bump on the eyelid could be a stye, chalazion, milium, or, in rare cases, skin cancer. Eyelid bump symptoms may vary but can include a gritty or itchy sensation in your eye, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, swelling, and watery eyes. You can try to prevent eyelid bumps by washing your hands before touching your face and removing oil around your eyelids.

Most eyelid bumps go away on their own. Consult a healthcare provider if your eyelid bump does not go away or you have unusual symptoms like pain and redness.