What is a Chalazion?
A chalazion is a painless, blocked oil gland on the upper or lower eyelid that develops over weeks and turns into a bump on eyelid. It can cause the area around it to become red and swollen and may hurt when it first develops. The type of chalazia you have is determined by the oil gland that is blocked, such as an internal chalazion, external chalazion, or marginal chalazion occurring on the edge of the eyelid.
Chalazia are common, generally benign, chronic lipogranulomatous inflammatory lesions of the eyelid caused by clogged Meibomian glands, representing ~13.4% of all benign lid lesions. Being common also means they are relatively easy to treat. Sometimes, chalazion symptoms can be mistaken for styles or other eyelid infections, but they are different.
Chalazion vs Stye: The Difference
Chalazion disease is not a stye. A stye of the eye is an infected oil gland that is caused by bacteria and tends to be painful. While both are relatively common, a stye can cause more problems if left untreated, while a chalazion is generally benign.
Both conditions can be treated at home by applying a warm compress each day for 10-15 minutes at a time when eye glands are blocked. A stye should clear in a week or so, while chalazion treatment will take longer, sometimes months.
What Causes a Chalazion?
A chalazion is most often caused by improper eye hygiene, causing an oil gland in the eye to become blocked. You may be more likely to develop the condition if you have had one before, you have recurring eyelid infections or styes, you have other facial or skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea, have dry skin or eyes, or are undergoing hormonal changes.
Are Chalazions Contagious?
Since chalazia are not caused by bacteria, they are not contagious and cannot spread from person to person. They are caused by a blocked oil gland. The best way to prevent chalazia from happening is to practice good hygiene, including washing your hands before touching your face, washing your face regularly, removing makeup at the end of the day, and getting regular eye exams.
Will Hardened Chalazion Go Away?
They may, however, it may take longer than a regular chalazion and it may require medical intervention. When chalazion are hardened, they may not respond to at home care. If that is the case, a medical professional will be able to try steroid shots or surgical drainage. If you recognize the growth of a chalazion, it is important to start at-home treatments right away to limit the amount of time the chalazion is present.
How to Get Rid of a Chalazion
The easiest way to get ride of a chalazion is to avoid getting one in the first place by practicing proper hygiene, including washing one’s face and removing makeup each night, practicing proper contact lens care, and washing one’s hands before touching the face. If you have a chalazion, a warm compress can help speed healing, like mentioned above, and consider avoiding makeup and heavy ointments and creams while the chalazion is active. Massaging the area can help it to drain, but it is important to never try and pop the bump as this could cause lasting damage or additional problems with blocked glands.
The Chalazion Healing Stages
Since healing typically takes from one to four weeks, the chalazion will go through different stages. In the initial stage, the bump grows and may cause localized swelling or redness. When treating with a warm compress and gentle massage, you may notice that the bump will start to become smaller but has not disappeared yet. If it heals properly, the chalazion will open, leading to the chalazion draining on its own without intervention.
If not, the chalazion may require surgical removal, steroid injections, or antibiotic eye drops for chalazion. As with any basic surgery, the area may be swollen and bruised for up to two weeks but the gland and the eyelid will go back to normal and should not scar. Post-surgery, be sure to follow the chalazion specialist’s instructions and avoid strenuous activity.
How Long Do Chalazions Last?
While unsightly and annoying, chalazions are common and benign. These painless eyelid bumps will often resolve with at-home treatment, however, some especially hard ones may require surgical intervention. Regular eye exams and proper facial and eye hygiene practices can help to prevent the formation of chalazion in the first place.
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