Chalazion vs Stye
Common Eye Problems for Children
As a parent, a bump on your child’s eye can be grounds for immediate worry.
What is it? How did it get there? Does it hurt? How should I treat it?
When your child develops a bump on their eye – whether at the base of their eyelash, under their eyelid, or actually on the eyelid – it’s important to get to the bottom of what it is and how to heal it.
If your child is contending with a bump around the eye, we can quickly assess the issue and help the healing begin.
Your child’s bump is probably one of two eye infections: a chalazion or a stye. Continue reading to learn more about a chalazion vs a stye.
What is a Chalazion?
A chalazion is a swollen bump on the eyelid.
Why does it form? It forms when your child’s eyelid oil gland clogs. It may start as a common stye, and – at first – you may not know your child has a chalazion because they are fairly pain free.
How can I tell it’s a chalazion? As a chalazion grows, your child’s eyelid may become swollen, red, and tender to the touch.
Can a chalazion cause vision issues? In some cases, yes. If the chalazion grows large enough, it can press on the eye and cause blurry vision. In rare cases, a child’s whole eyelid may swell.
Chalazion Treatment
To avoid infection, it’s important to avoid squeezing or popping a chalazion.
To promote the healing process, there are a few safe steps you can take:
- Warm compresses – When a warm compress is applied to the affected eye (10–15 minutes at a time throughout the day, repeated each day until swelling begins to diminish), the hardened oil blocking the gland ducts begins to soften and drain.
- Gentle massage – When the eyelids are gently massaged (with clean hands), the hardened oil blocking the gland ducts can potentially start to drain more effectively.
- Over-the-counter treatments – Treatments such as ointments, solutions, and medicated eye pads can help promote the healing process, reduce irritation, and prevent infection. Before buying and applying any treatment to your child’s eye, we recommend coming in to see us first. That way we know exactly what the issue is and ensure you’re addressing the right issue with the right treatment.
What is a Stye?
A stye (also called a hordeolum) is a small red lump that’s often painful and forms at the base of your child’s eyelash or under the eyelid.
Why does it form? Most styes are caused by a bacterial infection.
How can I tell it’s a stye? There are two kinds of styes: internal and external hordeolum.
- An internal hordeolum is a stye inside the eyelid. Most are caused by an infection in an oil-producing gland in the eyelid.
- An external hordeolum is a stye that begins at the base of the eyelash. Most are caused by an infection in the hair follicle. It might look like a pimple.
When the stye is first forming, your child’s eyelid will probably be red and tender to the touch. Their eye may also feel sore and scratchy.
Can a stye cause vision issues? In some cases, yes. If the stye is large, it can distort the front surface of the eye and cause blurred vision.
Stye Treatment
It’s imperative to never squeeze or pop a stye, as these actions can lead to infection.
Styes usually resolve on their own within a few days. To help alleviate any pain and promote the healing process, apply a warm compress to the infected area for 10–15 minutes at a time, several times a day.
Over-the-counter treatments, such as ointments or oral antibiotics, may help the healing process, reduce irritation, and prevent infection. Before applying any treatment to your child’s eye, we highly recommend coming in to see us first to ensure the right issue is being addressed with the right treatment.
Quick Glance: Chalazion vs Stye, What’s the Difference?
Stye.
- Painful to very painful
- Usually appears at the eyelid’s edge
- Usually caused by an infected eyelash root
- Usually swells, sometimes affecting the entire eyelid
Chalazion.
- Not usually painful
- Usually a bump that develops further back on the eyelid than a stye
- Usually caused by a clogged oil gland
- Rarely does it cause the entire eyelid to swell
Recurring Styes in Children
Unfortunately, once a child has a stye, there is an increased chance of a child having another later on.
Even though styes can be treated at home, we like to see children who are experiencing recurring styes.
Depending on your child’s exact situation, we may prescribe oral antibiotics or antibiotic drops. In rare, severe cases, where the stye affects vision and does not subside, the stye may need to be drained. We can do this with a local anesthesia in our office.
Is It Safe to Send a Child to School with a Stye?
Generally speaking, it is up to the parent as to whether the child returns to school or not with a stye. It can also depend on the condition of the stye.
On rare occasions, styes may spread if the bacteria that causes them comes in contact with another child, such as from a contaminated towel or pillowcase.
Is It Time to Seek Medical Advice for Your Child’s Eye Bump? Contact iCare Vision
If you feel your child’s chalazion or stye is not healing properly, don’t hesitate to contact the eye experts at iCare Vision.
An examination for a chalazion or stye is a quick and painless process, and we’ll help your child’s eyes get back to feeling free again.
