For an eyelid that is swollen and painful, it is essential to get a medical diagnosis. Before attempting any self help remedial measures, it is absolutely essential that you be aware of the nature of the problem. Sometimes, this can be caused due to a sty in the eye. Sties need not always be visible and obvious. They can also be within the surface of the skin, completely invisible to the naked eye. Sometimes, the eyelid can also get swollen in the manner described by you due to an internal injury of some sort. This can only be determined by a doctor. Sometimes, the presence of a minute foreign particle can also cause this kind of aggravated swelling. There are a lot of microscopic things we may not be able to see or feel but the eye is so sensitive and delicate to the slightest of things that it can sense the foreign particle and swell up. This is also a natural defense mechanism of the eye. Once again, unless examined with an ophthalmologist’s glass, this will not be visible. So the first step in this process is to check with a doctor and see what the exact nature of the problem is, and then go about finding a relevant solution. The eye is an extremely delicate organ and should not be trifled with under any circumstances.
If there is a sty in the eye, then warmth is the only thing that will help to draw it out. Make a paste with a single clove with just adequate water added to it to get a pasty solution. This can be scrubbed on a flat surface and the resultant paste can be applied to the top of the eyelid, just close to where the swelling is. Please be extremely careful that this does not get into the eye as it will then burn very badly. If this is some sort of a small particle, it will have to be carefully removed by a doctor. Do not attempt this yourself as you may end up damaging the eye instead. If it is something you can see with the naked eye too, it is not advisable to remove with hands. Instead, splash lots of cold water into the eye directly and this should be helpful in getting it out. If the inflammation persists for more than a week after trying these things, it would be advisable to get a second opinion.