I'm not exactly sure, but it sounds like a sty. I've gotten them often since I've had UC, and once a couple years ago I had an infected tear duct that actually became so swollen that it appeared outside of the eyelid. Steroid drops took care of that. Found out we're more likely to get stys with UC. Could be something else, but every sty I get looks a little different than the last one. I simply wash my eyelids at least once a day with soap/water, and since I started doing that, I've noticed a sharp decline in the number of stys that I get. Of course I'll have to recommend an eye doctor...they can prescribe something to take the swelling down. The drops I was prescribed were pretty cheap, and worked quickly.
---Nathan--- 31 yr old male
Diagnosed May 2006 w/severe UC
Currently in mild/moderate flare
2 400mg Asacol 4X day
20 mg Prednisone
1 multivitamin/day
2 grams calcium/day
75mg Imuran/day
100mg Tramadol/day for abdominal pain (as needed)
1 Fioricet ever 4 hrs as needed for severe migraines