Swollen Eye

Updated on May 08, 2007
J.M. asks from Charlotte, NC
17 answers

My 15 month old son woke up this morning with his left eye swollen almost completely shut. He doesn't have a cold or sinus infection and his eyes are not at all goopy. My first thought was that he whacked his head in his crib last night. However, there's no bruise, and it's not red or tender. Plus, if he had hit it that hard, wouldn't he have cried a little? We didn't get much of a chance to play outside this weekend, so I don't think it was a bug bite. I'm just not sure if I should get him to a doctor, or wait a while today to see if it gets any better. Any thoughts?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.R.

answers from Raleigh on

My son used to get an eye infection every spring even though he didn't really have a problem with allergies. It was also never pink eye (conjunctivitis-sp?) The dr. would prescribe some medicated eye drops. So you might want to take him on in. Is it possible he got a little dirt or something in his eye?

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Norfolk on

Our son had the same thing (ironically the same age!) and it was cellulitis (sp?) Basically a skin infection. Our kiddo's eye was swollen shut, no pain, no goop just looked like he had a shiner without the bruise. So, they put him on antibiotics and the swelling went down in a few days. Nothing to worry about but we were told that he needed to be treated in order for the swelling to go away. Hope this helps! Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.J.

answers from Charlotte on

Hi J.,

Since he's so young, I would probably call the nurse at the doctor's office and tell her what's going on. She can give you a better idea of whether they need to see him or not.

Good luck!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Spartanburg on

Hey J.,

I agree with the other moms and I would probably call the office before I took him in, but I wanted to pose another point. Has he had anything new in the last day or so, either to eat or drink? I have one food allergy, and it makes my eyes swell totally shut...no other symptoms, just my eyes swell shut. So, think about that and check with the doctor. I hope it gets better!

A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi, My daughter is 15 months old, and she sometime wakes up the same way, I just thought that it was allergies. I use a warm wash cloth on her eyes until she can open them. if you take your son to the DR can you let me know what they say?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.O.

answers from Norfolk on

I would definitely take him in.. good luck, I hope he's okay!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.C.

answers from Norfolk on

My nephew had a similar experience and it turned out it was a spider bite.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.

answers from Charlotte on

Hi J., My two year old woke up with the exact same thing last Thursday. Not goopy or red, just swollen shut. He got a fever on Friday and Saturday after we saw the pediatrician, he spiked a high fever. The doctor said it could be srep in the eye or ear canal. My 5 year old has strep throat. Both are on antibiotics, so I would take him to the doctor just to be safe.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Charleston on

He probably has pink eye.........you should call your doc. Good luck... :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.F.

answers from Hickory on

My daughter did the same only hers was red and yellow goup was coming out and it turned out to be pink eye. I would watch his eye for a few days. Put a warm wash cloth on it to get the swelling down. Just watch it for any goup coming out. If goup of any color comes out take him to the doc for possible pink eye.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.

answers from Charlotte on

Maybe he just had an eyelash in there and slept all night with it. That has happened to me before.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.F.

answers from Charleston on

If its swollen shut, it has to be a bother to him. My advice would be to take him to the pediatrician b/c it COULD be something that needs to be treated. Plus, it never hurts to be safe, and with his eyes being in close proximity to his brain, and infection in that area is always important to treat ASAP. Not to worry you, but w/ my experience as a nurse in pediatrics, I have seen some cases of eye infections that get pretty ugly left untreated, plus his age, he is probably going to have his hands in it, which is a preceptor for spreading it to the other eye, if it were to be an infection. It could be something more simplistic though, such as allergies or such, I'm not a MD and I haven't seen it. I would go with your instinct, b/c mommy normally does know "best." I'm a firm believer! ;) Good luck and I hope he recovers well. Have a good week.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.G.

answers from Spartanburg on

I would atleast call the doctor

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.P.

answers from Columbia on

This may sound scary, but a spider may have bitten him during the night.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Lynchburg on

if you do not know exacally what caused it...you should take him to the doctor

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.R.

answers from Norfolk on

J.,

I would get him to the doc or atleast call the office and let the nurse tell you if they want to see him sooner rather than later.

When I was little I use to have really bad allergies and to ease my puffy eyes my mom would place warm tea bags on my eyes. I don't think this actually help but it was nice to have something warm on my eyes. Just something to try until you see the doc. D.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.H.

answers from Fayetteville on

best to call the doctor...in case it's pink eye

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches