Warts on the eyelids: why they form and how they can be removed

These small bumps are harmless, but very annoying. To proceed with its elimination, you must first determine if the benefits of doing so outweigh the possible risks.

There are bumps that appear for various reasons on the skin and in different parts of the body. In general, these are almost always injuries with aesthetic involvement, but the majority do not usually represent a health risk. This includes warts on the eyelids, which are more annoying than others, due to where they grow .

They tend to acquire a filiform shape, that is, long and narrow. And although they are also called papillomas, they are not always caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Sometimes excessive sun exposure or aging itself are responsible.

Even though they should not worry us too much, we must pay attention to prevent them. If we decide to eliminate them, there are some treatments that are effective.

What are warts on the eyelids like?

These are small bumps that grow on the skin that covers the eyes. It could be said that they are benign palpebral tumors (referring to the eyelids), capable of settling in the upper or lower eyelid.

As with other warts, they do not pose a serious health risk. Even so, they require attention to determine their shape and the type of growth they carry. The diagnosis is important to certify that it is not another condition.

They usually acquire a color similar to skin . Sometimes a little more pinkish or yellowish.

In the eyelids they are formed by overlapping layers of skin that are long and thin. This gives them the name filiform. However, it is also possible that they appear in another format, as happens with the types of flat warts, which are more common on the lower eyelid.

The average measurement is between 1 and 2 millimeters . The larger the size, the greater the discomfort.

Types of eyelid papillomas or warts

According to a StatPearls medical journal , the most common types of eyelid warts are:

Flat: they are located on the lower eyelid and their characteristic is the surface without irregularities.
Inverted follicular keratosis: it is usually a papilloma on the margin of the eyelid, almost always as a single lesion.
Acrochordon: it is also referred to as squamous papilloma. It is a cord-shaped lesion , which does not always have a pedicle.
Molluscum contagiosum: it is an infection by a virus. The lesions are contagious and tend to appear in people with a depressed immune system.
Seborrheic keratosis: it is an excessive growth of cells in the eyelid, which pile up and gain volume. It can have different shades and have an inflamed base.
Reactive hyperplasia: it is the increase in the thickness of the skin due to an external agent that initiated irritation. They often occur after trauma with open wounds or burns.
Vulgar or viral: it is the wart that has its origin in the human papillomavirus or HPV. It is a contagious form and can generate multiple lesions, which develop progressively on the eyelid.

Why do they appear?

There are several causes that promote the growth of warts on the eyelids. Unless it is a virus infection, in the rest of the cases it must be assumed that different circumstances come together to cause the injury.

The factors most associated with eyelid papillomas are the following:

Age: aging leads to deterioration of the skin , the loss of elasticity of which facilitates the appearance of warts.
Trauma: the mechanism of origin of reactive warts is usually the disordered reaction of the skin to a cut or burn.
Sun exposure: Ultraviolet, or UV, radiation can cause abnormal cell growth anywhere on the skin, including the eyelids.
Infection: HPV is the largest representative. Although we must also consider the molluscum contagiosum virus. Viral agents, unlike other causes, can be spread through shared towels or hygiene items.

They are dangerous?

In general, warts on the eyelids are harmless , beyond the discomfort and aesthetic discomfort they cause. However, there are symptoms that require greater attention and a visit to a dermatology or ophthalmology specialist.

Home remedies to try to reduce eyelid warts

There are numerous home tricks to try to remove warts . For safety reasons, it is always advisable to attend a prior medical consultation to confirm that the lesions are benign and to corroborate the safety of the method we choose to apply.

It is worth remembering that the skin of the eyelid is one of the thinnest on the entire body. It lacks a layer of bottom fat to support it, so using a substance there could relatively easily reach the eyeball.

Garlic

Garlic has various properties for medicinal use. Among them, and of interest against papillomas, is its antiviral action . At the same time, it would be a stimulant of the immune system, which would help fight HPV warts.

Its therapeutic action is not fully demonstrated in the eyelid area. However, there are records of its effectiveness against HPV genital warts . This implies that it could work in the same way in another area of the body.

What would you have to do? Well, just take a fresh clove of garlic, crush it until it forms a paste and place it on the injury in a small amount.

Cover with a bandage and leave it on overnight. Then, she repeats the application regularly if you do not suffer from irritation on the eyelid, until you notice that the wart shrinks. According to anecdotal accounts, it is possible to combine this method with lemon .

potato slice

Another of the most recognized home remedies for warts is potato slices. It is believed that the high potassium content of the food would contribute to the reduction of the lesion .

There is no scientific evidence to support it. There are only anecdotal reports, but their harmlessness allows us to do the test safely.

Follow this step by step:

Wash a potato and cut it into thin slices.
Place a slice on top of the wart. Adjust with a bandage or patch to keep it in position.
Allow a full night to pass and remove.

As with garlic, there is no exact number of days of use . Repeat the method regularly to evaluate whether the wart shrinks or not.

Oregano essential oil

Oregano essential oil has antiviral, antifungal and antimicrobial properties , as stated in a review published in Molecules . In this way, it could be effective for warts with a viral origin.

It is possible to consume it in the form of an infusion or prepare the oil at home for application. In any case, it must be taken into account that its beneficial action could require a long time of use. And in its tea variant it may not have any effect, since the active compounds would not reach the site of action in their entirety.

Gallic acid

Gallic acid is an organic compound found in common tea, grapes, avocados, and some species of nuts . It has astringent and antioxidant properties, so it would help “dry out” the warts and promote their detachment.

In in vitro studies it has demonstrated activity against HPV . In any case, it must be understood that the tests were with extracts of the acid, which is difficult to achieve.

To try, get the product in cream, gel, or extract form at a health food store . A small amount is usually applied directly to the wart with a cotton swab.

Since it could be irritating to the surrounding skin, it is important to protect the entire region around the papilloma before proceeding. You can do this with a thin layer of Vaseline .

Home remedies that you should NOT use

There are two options for medical treatment of eyelid warts that you should not try because they have more risks than benefits. One of them is duct tape and the other is apple cider vinegar.

Regarding the first, there are scientific studies that recommend it as an economical alternative to cryotherapy for plantar warts . Now, this is because the sole of the foot has very thick skin, capable of withstanding the application of this tape repeatedly. On the eyelids it would be unfeasible because it would cause erosions, ulcers and ruptures of the small veins and arteries.

As for apple cider vinegar, this product has a tradition of medicinal use that is not without controversy . According to sporadic records in the scientific literature, it would be able to eliminate papillomas due to its destructive effect on the superficial layer of the skin .

The problem is that the same effect of the acetic acid it contains carries the risk of burns. Case reports have mentioned care for patients who presented to the wards with erosions due to using apple cider vinegar to treat dermatological problems, such as nevi or warts due to molluscum contagiosum .

The recommendation, then, is not to use it. Especially because the skin of the eyelid is more sensitive to chemical effects.

Medical treatments to remove warts on the eyelids

It is always important that you go to a specialist in dermatology or ophthalmology to assess the best approach for your case. Regardless of whether or not to use home remedies, these are only a complement and the professional may suggest elimination using one of the following techniques:

Surgery: the wart is removed with a scalpel from its root, after applying local anesthesia. In filiform specimens, the stem that connects them to the skin tends to be small, which makes the procedure easier.
Cryotherapy: In freezing therapy, liquid nitrogen is applied to the papilloma to stop the cells that make it grow. It is a simple technique, with little discomfort and requiring few sessions.
Laser or electrosurgery: consists of using a laser or electric current that burns the wart. It is a common technique for all bumps of this type.

Can eyelid warts be prevented?

Beyond the remedies to try to speed up the elimination and the different ways to remove warts, it is possible to prevent them. The essential measures are the following:

Maintain good hand hygiene at all times to reduce HPV transmission.
Get vaccinated against HPV if applicable, depending on your age and country of residence.
Avoid exposure to UV rays without using sunscreen on your face.
Dry your eyelids well after washing your face or bathing.
Don’t share hand towels.

While these bumps do not pose a serious danger, it is better not to have them. And if you already suffer from them, you must carefully evaluate whether they warrant intervention or not.

On the other hand, there is the responsibility of avoiding transmission to others when we are the carriers. Many of the prevention measures we mention are actually also ways to reduce contagion.