About styes and chalazions
A stye is an infection of the eyelash follicle. Styes are usually caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus.
A chalazion is a cyst on the eyelid. Chalazions are caused by blocked oil glands in the eyelid.
Styes and chalazions are common eye problems in children.
Symptoms of styes and chalazions
Stye
A stye looks like a small lump at the base of an eyelash, usually on the lower lid. The lump might look red on lighter skin or grey, brown or purple on darker skin. The lump usually has a small yellow or white spot at the centre.
A stye can cause swelling of the surrounding eyelid and be quite painful.
The stye might also irritate the eye and make it water.
Most styes get better within a few days.
Chalazion
A chalazion looks like a small lump on the eyelid. The lump might look red on lighter skin or grey, brown or purple on darker skin. There might also be swelling on the surrounding skin of the eyelid, but it is rarely painful.
Chalazions can take a few weeks to improve.
Styes and chalazions usually don’t cause permanent damage to the eye or eyelid.
Medical help: when to get it for children and teenagers with styes or chalazions
Take your child to the GP if the stye or chalazion doesn’t go away within 4-6 weeks of starting the treatment below.
You should also see the doctor if your child has a stye or chalazion and also:
Always seek medical advice if your child’s eyesight is affected.
Treatment for styes and chalazions
To relieve a stye or chalazion, you can try warm compresses.
To make a warm compress, get a clean handtowel soaked in warm water and apply to the eyelid for 2 minutes at a time. Try to repeat the warm compresses at least 3 times a day. Gentle massage during the warm compress can help drain the stye – but don’t try to squeeze the stye or chalazion.
Antibiotic ointments are rarely used to treat styes, unless it’s a problem that keeps coming back. Oral antibiotics might help if there’s a significant infection.
Make sure that your child (and everyone else in the family) washes hands frequently to avoid spreading the infection. Use a separate towel for your child to dry their hands.