Stye and Chalazion

Stye on the Eyelash

What is a Stye and Chalazion?

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. There are two kinds of styes, external and internal.

When you first get a stye, your eyelid is usually red and tender to touch. Your eye may also feel sore and scratchy.

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 or stye. 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.

Stye and Chalazion

What is the difference between a stye and a chalazion?

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between a stye and a chalazion. A stye often appears at the eyelid’s edge, usually caused by an infected eyelash root. It often swells, sometimes affecting the entire eyelid.

A Chalazion is a bump that usually develops farther back on the eyelid than a stye. It is caused by a clogged oil gland and can become very large.

Chalazion on the Eyelid

Symptoms may include:

If you have Blepharitis, had a stye or chalazion before, have a skin condition, such as acne rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis or diabetes, you may be more likely to get a stye or chalazion.

These conditions can be treated with a warm compresses, antibiotic, steroid shot, or surgery to drain the area. Do not squeeze or try to pop the stye of chalazion, this just temporarily removes them and they often come back with this method.