It is quite common for a chalazion to be confused with a stye, which also appears as a lump on the eyelid. There are some differences between the two, however. As a rule, a chalazion appears further from the edge of the eyelid than a stye does, and it’s not usually tender – unlike a stye. The two also have different causes. Whereas a chalazion is associated with the oil-producing glands, a stye is an infection of the eyelash follicle.
Both conditions usually don’t cause complications. They require minimal treatment and will go away on their own. However, if you notice changes in your stye or chalazion, seek out medical attention to prevent complications.
Chalazion vs. stye: Signs and symptoms
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The most obvious sign of a chalazion is a lump on the upper or lower eyelid. Other signs and symptoms include a tender spot on the eyelid, a hard lump you have not seen before, increased tearing of the eyes, blurred or blocked vision, and sensitivity to light.
Symptoms of a stye include a red lump on the eyelid similar to a pimple or boil, eyelid pain, eyelid swelling, and tearing.
Difference between chalazion and stye – causes and risk factors
A chalazion appears when there is a blockage of an oil-producing gland in the upper or lower eyelid, known as meibomian gland (or tarsal gland). Some people are at a higher risk for chalazia, and the risk factors include having a prior history of chalazia and touching your eyes with dirty hands. Chalazia are also more common among individuals with rosacea and eye inflammation.
As chalazion is caused by the gland blockage, it could be associated with the following:
- Poor eyelid hygiene
- Rosacea
- Chronic blepharitis
- High blood lipid concentration (possible risk from increased blockage of sebaceous glands)
- Leishmaniasis
- Tuberculosis
- Viral infection
- Immunodeficiency
- Eyelid surgery
- Eyelid trauma
- Stress (causality not proven)
- Carcinoma
- Trachoma
- Seborrheic dermatitis
The main cause of a stye is a bacterial infection of the oil glands in the eyelid. The bacteria responsible for this infection is staphylococcus.
Risk factors for a stye include touching your eyes with unwashed hands, wearing dirty contact lenses (when you don’t disinfect them or put them in with dirty hands), leaving eye makeup on overnight, using old or expired cosmetics, having chronic inflammation of the eyelid (blepharitis), and having rosacea.
Diagnosing chalazion vs. stye
In many cases, your doctor will be able to diagnose a chalazion by simply looking at the lump on your eyelid. They will take into account your symptoms for a more accurate diagnosis. There are no specific tests for diagnosing a chalazion.
Similar to diagnosing a chalazion, your doctor will most likely be able to diagnose a stye by simply looking at the eye and examining the eyelid.
Treatment options for chalazion and stye
Treatment options for chalazia include medications such as eye drops or warm water compresses applied to the eye several times a day. If the chalazion does not go away or grows and blocks your vision, surgery may be required to properly drain it.
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Here are some remedies you can try at home if you spot a chalazion on your eyelid:
- Apply warm compresses
- Massage the eyelid to speed up drainage
- Place clean and warm guava leaves on the eye
- Make a solution with acacia leaves and apply it to the eye
- Mix apple cider vinegar with warm water and soak a cotton ball to place on the eye
- Use a cotton swab to put on castor oil to the area
- Apply green tea bags to the eye
- Cut open aloe vera leaves and place on the eyelid
- Boil parsley and use the water on the eyelids
- Always maintain proper hygiene: wash your wash, don’t touch your eyes with dirty hands, and protect your eyes from dirt and pollution.
A stye will often clear up on its own. If not, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops. If medication doesn’t help either, your doctor will cut open the stye to drain the pus and promote healing.
To manage your stye at home, avoid touching it, clean your eyelid, place a warm washcloth over the eye a few times a day, keep your eye clean, don’t wear makeup while you have a stye, and avoid wearing contact lenses until it clears up.
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
