Eyelids have two main functions: to protect your eyes and to secrete, supply and drain your tears. Each eyelid contains special glands, called meibomian and sebaceous glands, that help with this process.
The meibomian glands are a few dozen oil glands at the edge of each eyelid near the eyelashes. The meibomian glands naturally produce an oily substance that is essential to the production of your eye's natural tears.1 The sebaceous glands are small oil-producing glands attached to hair follicles all over your body, including your eyelashes.1 These glands release a fatty substance (sebum) into the eyelash duct and skin's surface to lubricate the eyelid. A stye or a chalazion may develop if either of these glands or the eyelash hair follicle becomes blocked.2
What Is a Stye?
A stye, or hordeolum, is a tiny, red and painful bump that resembles a pimple and forms on or under any area of your upper or lower eyelid or eyelash base. Styes are created when a glad or follicle becomes infected and contains pus and inflammatory cells.
There are two types of styes: external (on the outside of the eyelid) or internal (on the inside). External styes are more common than internal styes, with most originating in the eyelash follicle or sebaceous gland on the outside edge of your eyelid. Internal styes originate in a meibomian gland on the inside of your eyelid within the tissue and push on your eye as they expand, becoming painful.
What causes a stye?
Dead skin cells, oil or dirt can build up and obstruct the oil glands around the eyelashes. When the gland or follicle gets blocked, bacteria grows, causing an infection, or stye.2 Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria usually cause the infection.
Styes can happen to anyone at any age, although they are more prevalent among people with certain conditions,2 including:
- Itchy eyes from allergies
- Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation, often caused by a buildup of excess bacteria)
- Use of contaminated mascara or eyeliner
- Makeup left on overnight
- Skin conditions, such as rosacea and seborrhea
- Diabetes and high cholesterol
- Rubbing your eyes
Stye symptoms2
- A red, painful bump at the base of the eyelashes
- Increased tear production
- Eyelid edge crusting
- Eyelid swelling
- Yellowish discharge (pus)
- Light sensitivity
- Feeling something lodged in the eye
Stye treatment
Styes usually resolve on their own within 7 to 10 days.3 However, some home remedies that may alleviate particularly bothersome styes include:3
- Keep it clean. Avoid wearing makeup and contact lenses while a stye is present.
- Clean your eyelid. Using mild soap and water, gently wipe away any eyelid drainage.
- Warm compress. Wet a clean washcloth in warm water and apply to your eyelid for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 to 5 times daily.
- Gentle eyelid massage. With clean hands, gently massage the area to assist the gland in clearing itself.
- OTC options. Over-the-counter pain medication and topical antibiotic ointment may alleviate discomfort and accelerate healing. Take care not to get the ointment in your eyes.
- Do not squeeze. Squeezing the stye may cause it to pop, increasing pain and irritation. If the stye pops on its own, thoroughly clean the wound and apply topical antibiotic ointment to prevent reinfection.
What Is a Chalazion?
A chalazion is a painless eyelid bump caused by a backed-up meibomian gland in the upper or lower eyelid, sometimes caused by an infected and inflamed stye. A chalazion is more common in adults aged 30-50 and seldom causes eyelid swelling.4
Chalazion causes4
- Previous stye or chalazion
- Chronic blepharitis
- Viral conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Viral infection
- Skin conditions, such as acne rosacea or seborrhea
- Medical issues, such as diabetes or tuberculosis
Chalazion symptoms4
- Painless eyelid bump
- Increased tear production
- Mild irritation
- Blurry vision, if the chalazion becomes too large
- A bigger chalazion may cause your eyelid to become red, swollen and tender to touch.
Chalazion treatment
Chalazion typically disappears without treatment within 2 to 4 weeks.5 If not, at-home treatments that could be helpful include:4
- Warm compress. Wet a clean washcloth with warm water and apply to the eyelid for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 to 5 times daily.
- Gentle eyelid massage. With clean hands, help the gland clear itself by gently massaging around the area.
- Do not squeeze. Squeezing the chalazion may cause it to pop, increasing pain and irritation. If the chalazion drains on its own, keep the area clean and refrain from touching the eyes.
When to Seek Medical Treatment for a Stye or Chalazion?
You may want to consult your ophthalmologist about a troublesome stye or chalazion if: it grows quickly or does not improve within a few days;2 the drainage contains a lot of blood, your vision is affected or you develop inflammation and redness around your eyes.6
Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic or antibiotic ointment for bacterial infections or a steroid shot (cortisone) to reduce inflammation. Your doctor may elect to drain a stye or chalazion that affects your vision or does not go away.3
Stye and Chalazion Prevention Tips
Practicing good hygiene is the best way to prevent a stye or chalazion. Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes or removing contact lenses. Before going to bed, wash your face and eyelids with water and mild soap to remove any dirt or makeup.4 Replace your eye makeup every 3 months.6
Whether you're getting an eye exam or needing medical care for a stye or chalazion, your CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a qualified vision care provider near you who accepts the CareCredit credit card.