Why do eyelids swell after crying?

Not entirely sure: The lacrimal glands which produce tears are part of the ocular adnexa and lie superior and lateral to the upper eyelids. There are also some minor tear glands within the eyelids themselves. Your eyelids shouldn't swell from crying, unless you are rubbing them vigorously with your hands. The tears drain through the nasolacrimal ducts and into the nasal cavity, hence the sniffling after crying.

Many Reasons: 28 y/o Female asks, Why do eyelids swell after crying? Many reasons: The emotion that induce crying, make the Tear glands at the upper outer eyelid corners secrete large amounts of salty watery tear down the cheeks & into the drainage tubes in the nose/ throat. These create itchiness, one rubs & scratches eyes, nose, face which turn red & swell up. Plus increase in Blood Flow make flush/puffy face