A stye (also called a hordeolum) is a small, red, painful lump that grows from the base of your eyelash or under the eyelid. Most styes are caused by a bacterial infection.
A chalazion is a swollen bump on the eyelid. It happens when the eyelid’s oil gland clogs up. It may start as an internal hordeolum (stye). At first, you might not know you have a chalazion as there is little or no pain. But as it grows, your eyelid may get red, swollen, and sometimes tender to touch. If the chalazion gets large, it can press on your eye and cause blurry vision. Rarely, the whole eyelid might swell.
Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids. They may appear red, swollen, or feel like they are burning or sore. There may be flakes or oily particles (crusts) wrapped at the base of the eyelashes too. This can increase the risk of styes.
SYMPTOMS OF A STYE vs CHALAZION
- A tender, red lump on the eyelid at the base of an eyelash is most likely a stye
- A stye is tender to touch but a chalazion is usually not painful
- A stye causes mild swelling of the eyelid and the chalazion can cause significant swelling, enought to affect vision
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is very common, especially among people who have oily skin, dandruff or rosacea. It can increase the risk of styes.
- If there is chronic yellow crusting on the eyelashes, use baby shampoo diluted in warm water to gently scrub the eyelids/eyelashes daily.
- Artificial tears may reduce redness, swelling and dry eye that can contribute to blepharitis.
How Do You Get Rid of a Stye or a Chalazion?
Warm compresses
- Soak a clean washcloth in hot water and hold it to the eyelid for 10–15 minutes at a time
- Repeat 3–5 times a day
- Keep the cloth warm by soaking it in hot water often.
- Styes usually come to a head and forms a pimple in 3 to 5 days and the hot cloth helps this happen. This pimple usually drains and heals in a few more days.
- For a chalazion, a warm compress helps the clogged oil gland to open and drain. You can help the gland clear itself by gently massaging around the area with your clean finger.
Drainage
For a stye, if a child is over 5 years old and cooperative you can try to help the drainage:
- When the center of the stye becomes yellow and comes to a head, you can gently open it with tweezers.
- Pull out the eyelash that goes through the pimple to start the drainage.
- Do not squeeze the bump - this can spread the infection.
Another option with styes is to wait for drainage to start on its own. Most often, this occurs 1-2 days after it comes ot a head.
Antibiotics
- An antibiotic for an infected stye may be recommended, but not all bumps in the eyelid require antibiotics.
- Most single styes respond to the treatment with heat. They don't need prescription antibiotic eyedrops.
- If there is more than one stye, antibiotic eyedrops may be required.
- Antibiotics may be needed if styes keep coming back. This usually happens to people who rub their eyes often and those who never wash lashes.
- Chalazions do not require antibiotics.
Steroid shots
- If the chalazion is very swollen, an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) may give you a steroid shot (cortisone) to reduce the swelling.
Surgery to drain the area
- If the stye or chalazion affects vision or does not go away after 3 months, it may need to be drained. This surgery is usually done by an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon).
Things to avoid when you have a stye or chalazion
- Popping and squeezing could spread the infection into your eyelid. Do not pop or squeeze the area.
- Do not wear eye makeup or contact lenses while you have a stye or chalazion.
- Avoid rubbing the eyes - it can worsen the symptoms.
When to seek medical attention:
- If there are multiple styes or the stye has been present more than a week with warm compresses, antibiotic eyedrops may be needed. A visit is required for evaluation prior to a prescription.
- If there are recurrent styes, a referral to an ophthalmologist may be required. A visit to discuss this and make the referral may be necessary.
- If the stye or chalazion is not resolving after 3 months or affects vision, a referral to an ophthalmologist is indicated.
