Stye and Chalazion

A stye 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 stye: A stye that begins at the base of your eyelash. This is most likely caused by an infection in the hair follicle. The appearance resembles a pimple.
  •  Internal stye: A stye inside your eyelid. Most likely caused by an infection in an oil-producing gland in your eyelid.

A stye can develop if you have blepharitis. Blepharitis is a condition that makes your eyelids at the base of the eyelashes red and swollen.

When a stye develops, your eyelid is probably red and tender to the touch. The eye may feel sore and scratchy.

A chalazion is a swollen bump on the eyelid. This happens when the eyelid’s oil gland clogs up. It might start as an internal stye. As a chalazion gets larger, it can press on the eye and cause blurry vision. Possibly, the whole eyelid might swell.

Symptoms of a stye:

  • Painful red bump along the edge of the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes. The entire eyelid might swell.
  • A small pus spot at the center of the bump.
  • Feels like something is in the eye.
  • A scratchy feeling in the eye.
  • Sensitivity to light.
  • Crustiness along the eyelid margin.
  • Tearing in the eye.

Symptoms of a chalzion:

  • Bump on the eyelid, sometimes becoming red and swollen. Occasionally it can be tender.
  • Rarely an entirely swollen eyelid.
  • Blurry vision should the chalazion become large and press on the eyeball.

Treatment for a stye or chalazion:

  • Warm compresses
  • Antibiotics
  • Steroid Shots
  • Surgery to drain the area

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