Chalazion vs. Stye: Differences, Symptoms & Treatments

Chalazion vs Stye: Understanding the Differences

If you have a sore lump on the upper eyelid margin or lower eyelid margin, it could be a chalazion or stye. Both conditions can appear very similar, but they occur due to different reasons. 

Overview: A Stye is a Bacterial Infection

A stye (medical term: hordeolum) is a painful red bump or cyst that develops on the upper or lower eyelid. Most styes are bacterial infections of the eye. 

A stye can grow on the outer eyelid at the base of an eyelash with the infection covering the hair follicle. This type of bacterial infection is called an external hordeolum or external stye. 

A stye can also develop inside the eyelid due to a bacterial infection of an oil-producing gland. This is called an internal hordeolum or internal stye. 

Most people develop a stye on one side, but you can occasionally get styes on both eyelids at the same time. 

Overview: A Chalazion is a Clogged Oil Gland

A chalazion is a swollen lump on the eyelid margin that develops from a sebaceous gland (oil gland). It occurs when tiny meibomian glands (oil-secreting eyelid glands) become clogged. Sometimes, chalazia develops from internal styes. 

Different Characteristics: How Do You Tell If It's a Chalazion or Stye?

It’s not always easy to tell the difference between a stye versus a chalazion. However, there are some key differences:

• A stye is very painful, while a chalazion is not usually painful. 

• Styes occur at the edge of the eyelid, arising from the eyelash follicles. Chalazia develops further back along the eyelid due to blocked meibomian glands (oil glands). 

• Swelling of the entire eyelid is more commonly seen with a stye and is less likely with a chalazion.

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Symptoms of Chalazions and Styes in the Upper or Lower Eyelid

Common Symptoms of a Chalazion

• A painless pea-like lump on the eyelid that may feel sore or tender.

• A swollen eyelid (it is rare for the entire eyelid to be swollen, however).

• Blurred vision (if a larger chalazion presses on the eye).

Note: A chalazion may be painful when it’s developing, but it typically goes on to become a relatively painless bead-like swelling in the eyelid.

Common Symptoms of a Stye

• A painful red bump at the edge of the eyelid and base of the eyelashes.

• A pimple or pus spot in the center of the bump.

• Possible swelling of the entire eyelid.

• Crusting along the eyelid margin.

• Grittiness (a scratchy feeling like something is in your eye).

• Sensitivity to light.

• Tearing or watering of the eye.

Comparative Analysis of Symptoms

Which Is Worse: Stye or Chalazion?

A stye is usually worse because it is much more painful than a chalazion and also more likely to cause swelling of the whole eyelid. 

Causes of Chalazions and Styes

Underlying Cause of Chalazion

A chalazion occurs due to meibomian gland dysfunction (blockage of an oil gland due to trapped oil secretions). 

Underlying Cause of Stye

A stye is a painful lump caused by an infection of the eyelash follicle. 

Risk Factors Contributing to Styes and Chalazia of the Upper and Lower Eyelids

Anyone can develop a stye & chalazion. However, the risk is higher if: 

• You have blepharitis (chronic inflammation of the eyelid glands).

• You’ve had a stye or chalazion in the past. 

• You have skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, or seborrheic dermatitis.

• You have medical problems such as diabetes.

Diagnosis of Chalazion and Stye

Medical Examination and Diagnostic Procedures

Your doctor can diagnose a stye or chalazion by looking at your eyelid. They may use a magnifying device or light to examine your eyelid more closely.

How To Tell If It's a Chalazion Or Stye?

You can tell the difference between a chalazion and stye based on the following features:

• Location: If the lesion is at the edge of your eyelid, it’s more likely to be a stye. If the lesion is further back along the eyelid, it could be a chalazion.

• Pain: If the bump is painful, it is likely a stye. A painless bump may be a chalazion.

• Swelling: If your entire eyelid is swollen, it is more likely to be a stye rather than a chalazion.

Treatment of Chalazions and Styes

Home Remedies for Chalazions and Styes

Warm Compresses

A warm compress and gentle massage with a clean finger can help open up and drain a blocked oil gland that is causing a chalazion. Warm compresses can also help to relieve stye symptoms. 

To apply a warm compress, hold a clean washcloth soaked in hot water to your eyelid for 10-15 minutes. Keep soaking the washcloth in hot water from time to time to keep it warm. Do this 3-5 times a day for symptom relief. 

Note: Make sure the water is not too hot or it may scald your skin.

Medicated Wipes and Baby Shampoo

A pre-moistened medicated cleansing wipe or baby shampoo can help relieve symptoms of a stye on the eyelid caused by infection. Medicated cleansing wipes can also give you relief from chalazion symptoms due to clogged oil produced by a meibomian cyst. 

Medical Treatments for Chalazia: Steroid Injections

A larger chalazion may need to be treated with a steroid shot (cortisone injection) to bring down the swelling.

Medical Treatments for Styes: Antibiotics

Eye infections caused by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics. If your ophthalmologist (eye doctor) feels the lump on your eyelid is a stye caused by an infection, they may prescribe an antibiotic ointment. Eye drops are usually not necessary. 

Surgical Treatments

Surgical Drainage

If a stye or chalazion does not go away with medical treatment or is affecting your vision, it may require treatment surgically, meaning it may need to be drained through a small incision. This procedure is done in the doctor’s office using local anesthesia.

Biopsy

If you get recurrent styes or chalazion, your eye doctor may perform a biopsy. This involves removing a small tissue sample from your eyelid to make sure there is nothing more serious going on. 

What Happens If A Stye Is Left Untreated? 

An infected stye can be very painful. If left untreated, an internal hordeolum (stye) can develop into a chalazion.  

What Happens If A Chalazion Is Left Untreated? 

If a chalazion is left untreated, it can grow in size and press upon your eye, causing eyelid swelling and blurry vision. A chalazion usually heals within a week with home treatment. Without treatment, it can take much longer, 4-6 weeks, for the meibomian gland to open up. Also, an untreated chalazion puts you at risk of developing another one. 

When to Seek Professional Help

Call your doctor if your stye or chalazion does not start improving after 48 hours of using home remedies such as warm compresses and medicated wipes. Also, seek professional medical care if the redness and swelling involve the entire eyelid or spread to other parts of your face such as your cheeks.

Prevention of Chalazions and Styes: General Eyelid Hygiene Tips

The best way to prevent styes and chalazia and maintain good eye health is to practice good hygiene. 

• Wash your hands before touching your eyes or removing contact lenses.

• Wash your face before going to bed to remove dirt and makeup. 

• Replace eye makeup every 3 months.

• If you get recurrent styes or chalazia, see your eye doctor for an evaluation. 

• Do not pop or squeeze a stye or chalazion, as this can spread the infection.

• Avoid wearing contact lenses and eye makeup if you have a stye or chalazion.

Check out our tips for healthy eyes.

Common Questions Answered

How Do You Get Rid of a Chalazion?

Treatment options for a chalazion include warm compresses and medicated pads for smaller chalazia and steroid injections and/or surgical drainage for larger ones. A biopsy may be necessary if you keep developing recurrent chalazia. 

Is It OK if a Chalazion is Left Untreated?

It is not advisable to leave a chalazion untreated. Without treatment, a chalazion can grow in size and cause eyelid swelling and blurry vision. Getting treatment can help you avoid prolonged symptoms, recurrence, and other complications. 

Do Chalazions Go Away On Their Own?

Chalazions can eventually go away on their own. A chalazion typically resolves within a week with home treatment but can take 4-6 weeks to heal without treatment. Therefore, treatment accelerates the chalazion healing process. 

Can a Stye Damage Your Cornea?

A stye will not damage your cornea. Most styes are relatively harmless and don’t cause any permanent eye damage.

Are Styes And Chalazions Contagious?

Chalazions are not caused by an infection and are not contagious. Styes are caused by a bacterial infection and small amounts of bacteria can spread from them, but they generally aren't contagious.