Who Gets Styes and Chalazia
A stye, also called a hordeolum, is a red and tender bump that forms on or near the edge of the eyelid. It happens when an oil gland or hair follicle in the eyelid becomes infected with bacteria. Most styes are caused by a type of bacteria called staphylococcus, which is commonly found on the skin. A stye can make your eyelid swell, and it may feel sore or warm to the touch.
There are two types of styes. An external stye forms on the outside edge of the eyelid, usually at the base of an eyelash. It looks like a small pimple and tends to come to a head within a few days. An internal stye forms deeper inside the eyelid, within one of the small oil glands called meibomian glands. Internal styes can be more painful because they press against the eye.
A chalazion is a firm, round bump that forms in the eyelid when one of the meibomian glands becomes blocked. Unlike a stye, a chalazion is usually not caused by an active infection. Instead, it happens when the oil inside the gland thickens and cannot drain properly. The blocked gland becomes inflamed, and a small cyst forms around the trapped oil.
Chalazia tend to be larger than styes and can grow to the size of a small pea or bigger. While a chalazion is not usually painful once it fully forms, it can press on the eye and cause blurry vision if it gets large enough. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2023, chalazia and styes are among the most common eyelid conditions evaluated by eye care providers in the United States.
Some people are more likely to develop styes and chalazia than others. One of the biggest risk factors is a condition called blepharitis, a long-term inflammation of the eyelids that causes redness, flaking, and crusting along the lash line. When the eyelids are chronically inflamed, the oil glands are more likely to become blocked or infected.
People who have rosacea are also at higher risk. This skin condition causes redness and bumps on the face and can affect the eyelids as well. Other risk factors include poor eyelid hygiene, touching your eyes with unwashed hands, leaving eye makeup on overnight, and using old or contaminated cosmetics.
For some people, styes and chalazia can come back again and again. Recurring eyelid bumps are often a sign of an underlying problem with the oil glands. Chronic blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction are the most common reasons for repeated styes and chalazia.
If you keep getting eyelid bumps, it is important to see your provider for a thorough evaluation. Our team can check the health of your meibomian glands and look for conditions that may be contributing to the problem. In rare cases, a bump that keeps coming back in the same spot may need a biopsy to rule out other conditions.
How Stye and Chalazion Treatment Works
Most styes and many chalazia can be treated at home in the early stages. The most important home treatment is applying warm compresses to the affected eyelid. Soak a clean washcloth in warm water, wring it out, and hold it gently against your closed eyelid for ten to fifteen minutes. Do this three to four times a day. The warmth helps soften the blocked oil and encourages the gland to open and drain.
A washcloth cools down quickly, so you may need to reheat it several times during each session. Some patients find it easier to use a microwavable eye mask, as these hold heat longer and more evenly. After each warm compress session, gently massage the eyelid with clean fingers to help move the oil out of the gland.
Lid scrubs are another helpful part of home care. Use a gentle, tear-free cleanser or pre-made lid scrub pads to clean the base of your eyelashes each day. This removes debris, bacteria, and excess oil that can build up along the lash line.
You should contact your provider if your stye or chalazion does not improve after one to two weeks of consistent warm compresses. You should also call if the bump is getting larger, if the redness and swelling are spreading beyond the eyelid, or if you develop a fever. These could be signs of a more serious infection that needs medical treatment.
Other reasons to see your provider include pain that is getting worse, vision changes caused by a large bump pressing on the eye, and a bump that keeps returning to the same location. If you have a condition like diabetes that affects your immune system, it is wise to see your provider sooner, as infections can progress more quickly.
When home care is not enough, your provider may recommend an in-office procedure. The most common is called incision and drainage, sometimes also called incision and curettage. Your provider will numb the eyelid with a local anesthetic, then make a small opening, usually on the inside of the eyelid, to carefully remove the trapped material. The procedure is quick and most patients feel significant relief shortly afterward.
Another option is a steroid injection. Your provider may inject a small amount of corticosteroid medication directly into the chalazion to reduce inflammation and cause the bump to shrink over the following weeks. In some cases, your provider may recommend a combination of drainage and a steroid injection.
If your stye shows signs of a bacterial infection that is spreading, your provider may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment. In more serious cases, oral antibiotics may be needed. It is important to use the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if the bump starts to look better before you finish the medication.
What to Expect During Your Visit
When you come to Washington Eye Institute for a stye or chalazion, your visit will begin with a thorough examination of your eyelids and eyes. Your provider will ask about your symptoms, how long you have had the bump, and whether you have tried any treatments at home. They will also ask about your medical history, including any skin conditions or past eyelid problems.
Using a special magnifying instrument called a slit lamp, your provider will closely examine the bump and surrounding tissue. This allows them to determine whether you have a stye or a chalazion, whether it is internal or external, and whether there are signs of complications. Our offices are equipped with comprehensive diagnostic tools to give your provider a detailed view of your eyelid health.
If your provider recommends incision and drainage, they will explain each step before beginning. You will be given numbing drops for your eye and a local anesthetic injection in the eyelid area. A small clamp is placed on the eyelid to hold it steady and flip it so the provider can work on the inner surface. This helps keep the incision hidden and reduces visible scarring.
The drainage takes only a few minutes. You may feel some pressure, but you should not feel sharp pain because of the anesthetic. After the material is removed, your provider may apply antibiotic ointment to the area. Most patients can return to normal activities the next day, though mild swelling may last for a few days.
After treatment, your provider will give you specific aftercare instructions. This may include applying antibiotic ointment, continuing warm compresses, and avoiding eye makeup for a short period. Some swelling, mild bruising, or a small amount of drainage from the eyelid is normal in the days following a procedure.
Your provider will schedule a follow-up visit to check on your healing. If you had a chalazion drained, it is normal for some firmness to remain in the eyelid for several weeks as the tissue heals. Your provider will let you know when to contact the office if you have concerns between visits.
Your Journey Through Stye and Chalazion Care
Good eyelid hygiene is the foundation of prevention. Wash your hands before touching your face or eyes. Clean your eyelids daily, especially if you are prone to blepharitis or oily skin. Remove all eye makeup before going to bed and replace mascara and eyeliner every few months, as old cosmetics can harbor bacteria.
If you wear contact lenses, follow proper cleaning and storage instructions. Eating a balanced diet that includes omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, flaxseed, and walnuts, may help support healthy oil production in the meibomian glands. A study published by the National Eye Institute in 2022 found that consistent daily eyelid hygiene reduced the recurrence of eyelid infections and inflammatory bumps in patients with chronic blepharitis.
For patients who deal with recurring styes and chalazia, long-term management is important. Your provider may recommend daily lid scrubs, regular use of warm compresses even when you do not have a bump, and periodic in-office evaluations to monitor gland health.
If blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction is contributing to your eyelid problems, treating those underlying conditions can help reduce flare-ups. Your provider may prescribe low-dose oral antibiotics with anti-inflammatory properties, medicated eye drops, or other therapies tailored to your needs. At Washington Eye Institute, our team works with you to find a plan that fits your lifestyle. Our providers in Greenbelt, Rockville, and Cumberland are ready to help.
Most styes and chalazia are not emergencies, but there are situations when you should seek care right away. If you develop severe swelling that makes it hard to open your eye, if the redness spreads across your eyelid or onto your cheek, or if you have a fever along with eyelid swelling, contact our office immediately. These may be signs of a more serious infection called preseptal or orbital cellulitis, which requires prompt treatment.
Washington Eye Institute offers emergency eye care services for situations like these. If you are unsure whether your symptoms need urgent attention, call our office and our team will help you decide the right next step.
Questions and Answers
A stye is a painful, red bump caused by a bacterial infection of an oil gland or hair follicle at the edge of the eyelid. A chalazion is a firm, usually painless bump that forms when a meibomian gland deeper in the eyelid becomes blocked and inflamed without an active infection. Styes tend to come to a head like a pimple, while chalazia grow more slowly and feel like a hard lump under the skin.
A stye will often drain on its own and heal within one to two weeks with consistent warm compress treatment. A chalazion can take longer, sometimes four to six weeks or more, to resolve with home care alone. If a bump is not improving after two weeks of warm compresses, or if it is getting larger, see your provider to discuss other treatment options.
It is generally a good idea to avoid wearing contact lenses while you have an active stye or chalazion. The bump can cause irritation when a lens is in the eye, and wearing contacts may slow healing or increase the risk of spreading bacteria. Switch to glasses until the bump has healed and your provider says it is safe to wear your lenses again.
Styes are caused by bacteria commonly found on the skin, so the infection can potentially spread through direct contact. However, styes are not highly contagious in everyday situations. To be safe, avoid sharing towels, washcloths, pillowcases, or eye makeup with others while you have a stye. Wash your hands frequently and try not to touch or rub the affected eye.
Some people experience styes or chalazia only once, while others may have them return over time. Recurrence is more common in people with blepharitis, rosacea, or meibomian gland dysfunction. Following a daily eyelid hygiene routine and treating any underlying conditions can help lower the chance of future bumps. Your provider can create a plan to help manage your risk.
You should see your provider if the bump does not improve within one to two weeks of consistent warm compresses, if it is growing larger, if pain or redness is getting worse, or if you notice changes in your vision. You should also seek care if you develop a fever, if the swelling spreads beyond the eyelid, or if you keep getting styes or chalazia in the same area. Our team at Washington Eye Institute can evaluate the bump and recommend the right treatment.