​A stye and a chalazion are both lumps that occur in or along the edge of your eyelid.

Dr Valencia Foo, Associate Consultant from the Cataract & Comprehensive Ophthalmology Department at Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), a member of the SingHealth group, shares what is different between the two and home remedies to try to relieve the discomfort.

4 Home remedies for stye and chalazion

1. Use a warm compress

A common home remedy for stye or chalazion is the use of a warm compress. Simply soak a cotton pad in warm water and apply it over your eyelid for 10 – 15 minutes. Repeat this for another 3 – 5 times during the day. This will help to soften the hardened oil that is blocking the gland ducts, allowing it to drain.

2. Gently massage your eye

Gentle massaging of the eyelid for several minutes each day may help to promote drainage. Ensure your fingers are clean before doing this to avoid infection.

3. Perform an eyelid scrub

Dilute a few drops of baby shampoo with warm water and use a cotton bud to clean away any crusts that are present on the eyelids, particularly around the roots of the lashes, while keeping your eyes closed. 

4. Temporarily stop using eye makeup and contact lenses

Do not put on eye make-up or contact lenses to prevent further discomfort or irritation. Contact lenses or eye make-up can be easily contaminated with the bacteria from the stye.

How to prevent stye and chalazion from recurring

The best way to prevent a stye or chalazion from recurring is to observe and maintain good eye hygiene.

  1. Do not rub your eyes if you have allergies

  2. Wash your hands with soap and water before touching your face and eyes

  3. Remove dirt and makeup before going to bed

  4. Dispose old makeup and replace mascara and eye shadow every 3 months to prevent bacterial growth. Do not share makeup with anyone else

  5. Disinfect and clean your lenses thoroughly with a lens cleaning solution and wash your hands before putting on your contact lenses

  6. If you get recurring episodes of stye or chalazion, clean your eyelids regularly using an eyelid scrub or mix a little bit of baby shampoo with warm water

If the stye or chalazion does not go away, you should seek help from an eye specialist.

Stye vs chalazion: How to tell the difference

Most people find it difficult to distinguish between these two due to similarity in appearances and are often confused over it. Here's how you can tell the difference.

​
 ​Stye
 ​Chalazion
​What is it?

​An eye stye or hordeolum is a small pimple-like bump that develops from the root of an eyelash or under the eyelid. It is usually caused by a bacteria infection.

​A chalazion is a small bump or cyst that slowly forms on your eyelid when an oil gland is blocked.

​What are its symptoms?

  • ​Pain and swelling of your eyelid

  • A small pus spot at the centre of the bump

  • Crusting along the eyelid margin

  • Tearing

  • Sensitive to light

  • Painless bump or swelling in the eyelid that clears up on its own within a few weeks

  • May have pain with secondary infection or inflammation

  • Tearing and mild irritation

  • Blurry vision, especially when the chalazion is big and obstructing your vision

​What causes it?

​Often arises due to poor hygiene habits such as:

  • Touching your eye without washing your hands, 

  • Not disinfecting your contact lenses, and 

  • Using old or expired cosmetics.

​Often occurs in people with the following underlying conditions:

  • Chronic blepharitis 

  • Acne rosacea

  • Seborrheic dermatitis

  • Meibomian gland dysfunction

If your eye doesn’t get better, see an eye doctor

If the stye or chalazion doesn’t recede within a month despite trying these home remedies, you should consult an eye specialist for further treatment. 

“You should not attempt to pop a stye or chalazion on your own as it can cause more inflammation and infection of the eyelids,” advises Dr Foo.

“This might make it more prone to recurrences if the stye or chalazion is not drained adequately,” she added.

The eye specialist may recommend the following options, depending on the severity of your condition.

a) Antibiotics

You may be prescribed with a course of antibiotics, antibiotic ointment or antibiotic eyedrops to reduce the chronic inflammation on the eyelid.

b) Incision and drainage

If the stye or chalazion doesn’t clear up and your vision is affected, your doctor may recommend a minor procedure to remove the pus. 

This involves numbing your eyelid and making a small incision in the bump to drain out the fluid. It is performed as a procedure and takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes. 

If the chalazion keeps recurring, your doctor may take a biopsy of the lump to check for potential underlying causes.

Ref: G25

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