A painful eyelid condition with a red, raised area may suggest what diagnosis?

A painful eyelid condition characterized by a red, raised area is most commonly associated with a hordeolum, commonly known as a stye. This condition typically arises from an infection of the oil glands located at the base of the eyelashes, leading to localized inflammation, swelling, and tenderness. The painful nature of a hordeolum, coupled with the redness and raised appearance, is a hallmark of this diagnosis.

In contrast, blepharitis is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation of the eyelid margins, often causing irritation, crusting, and redness, but it usually lacks the acute pain and localized swelling associated with hordeolum. A chalazion is often less painful and characterized by a firm, painless lump on the eyelid that arises from the blockage of a sebaceous gland; it usually does not present with acute pain. Conjunctivitis, while it can cause redness and irritation, primarily affects the conjunctiva of the eye and typically does not manifest as a painful, raised area on the eyelid itself.

The specific presentation of pain, redness, and a raised area makes hordeolum the most fitting diagnosis in this context.