How long does a chalazion last?

How long does a chalazion last?

Eye health is important, so we know it can be alarming to see a red lump in your eyelid; however, we’re here to tell you that usually a chalazion is nothing to worry about and can often be treated at home. Chalazions are the most common inflammatory eyelid lesion, accounting for around 13.4% of all benign lid lesions.

In this post, we go into detail about what a chalazion is, what the symptoms are, what treatment and how long you should expect your chalazion to last. We also introduce ourselves at the Eye and Dental Clinic, so you know how we can help you.

What is a chalazion?

A chalazion is a small lump or cyst that develops over time in the eyelid. It can sometimes be alarming, but most of the time it’s painless and rarely needs treatment. It can often be treated from home if needed, doing a few simple things, or it will go away on its own without the need for treatment at all.

Your eyelids have tiny glands that produce an oily substance to help keep your eyes moist. When one of those glands gets blocked, a chalazion is formed, which is essentially a swollen, pain-free gland. A chalazion can also be the result of an infection; however, this is less common.

Don’t be alarmed if your chalazion is a little painful, particularly at the start, as this is normal. It shouldn’t be too painful, and it will subside as time goes on. Most of the time, a chalazion is a pain-free lump that is more annoying than anything else. It is most common in adults between 30 and 50 years old. Chalazions aren’t very common in children, but they can happen.

Symptoms of a chalazion

A chalazion can show on either the upper or lower eyelid as a lump or swelling. It’s easy to confuse a chalazion with a stye as they look quite similar, but a chalazion and a stye are different things. A chalazion often develops over a much longer period than a stye, and it’s usually under the skin of the eyelid rather than on the edge.

Chalazions feel firm to the touch, and they often aren’t painful, unlike styes; however, in some rare cases, a chalazion can be caused by an infection, and the lump can appear red and become quite sore. However, if you don’t know if you have a stye or a chalazion, don’t worry, as the at-home treatment is the same for both.

If you are developing a chalazion, some signs to look out for are:

• A painful lump or swelling under either the bottom or top lid.
• Mild irritation, particularly at the beginning, and watery eyes.
• As the chalazion grows, it could cause blurred vision.

Diagnosing a chalazion

To confirm if you have a chalazion, you’ll need to see an eye care clinic. Your specialist will examine your eye and offer treatment options if needed. When you see an eye specialist, expect them to ask you some questions and carry out tests to determine the state of your eye health.

You should expect:

• For your eye care professional to ask questions about your health history.
• For your eye care professional to examine your eye externally.
• Do a thorough eyelid exam by shining a bright light into your eye and using magnification to look closely at your eye. This will also allow your eye care professional to check the oil glands and see if they’re blocked.

If you think you have any eye health concerns, book an appointment and pay us a visit at the Eye and Dental Clinic in Bury.

How to treat a chalazion

There are several things you can do to treat your chalazion. Most of the time, it’ll go away at home with simple home treatments, but occasionally you will need to see a professional. Will a hardened chalazion go away? Over time, your chalazion can grow and harden, and yes, it can go away on its own if you follow good practice at home. Try the following:

• Follow good hygiene practices like washing your hands regularly and not touching your eye as this can make it worse.
• Avoid wearing makeup, particularly eye makeup.
• Use a warm compress. The pores in your skin become looser when they are around heat and open up the skin to clear out. This can help rid your eye of the chalazion. Do this for 10-15 minutes at a time, a few times a day.
• Use over-the-counter eye drops. You can buy eyedrops that can help to treat your chalazion without needing to see a doctor or eye care professional.
• If you’re still concerned about your chalazion even after trying the above methods, contact a doctor or eye care professional.

How to avoid a chalazion

A chalazion can also occur as a result of a bacterial infection; therefore, there are some steps you can take to avoid a chalazion.

• Make sure your hands are often.
• Try not to touch your eyes, but if you need to, ensure they’re clean.
• Change your towels regularly, especially any that you use on your face.
• Try not to share towels.
• Clean your hands before and after handling your contact lenses.
• Clean your makeup brushes regularly and don’t share makeup such as mascaras and eyeliners with other people.

How long does a chalazion last?

Now you know all about a chalazion, what the symptoms are and how to get rid of it yourself, you’re probably wondering how long it’ll take for your eyelid to get back to normal. Well, you’re in luck because a chalazion usually isn’t a long-term issue, and although it can be annoying, you can expect your chalazion to be completely gone within a month as long as you follow the at-home methods above.

In some cases, where the chalazion is quite large, it can take several months to completely go away, but you should see some improvement within that time. If you’re ever concerned about a chalazion or if you’re struggling to get rid of it, see an eye care professional or doctor for advice and further treatment.

You will know if your chalazion is healing because the lump and redness will slowly start to go down and be less visible over time.

Eye & Dental Clinic

We are the Eye & Dental Clinic, and we’re leading by example in both minor eye care and cosmetic dentistry, dental check-ups and emergency treatment. We are providing real people with remarkable clinical care, right in the heart of Bury.

We have a patient-focused approach, and we always take the time to get to know you to find out exactly how you want to be cared for, so you feel comfortable and welcome at our practice. We believe that you and your family deserve excellent care and service when visiting us for your dental and eye care needs.

Why not meet the team before you arrive, so you are familiar with some of our excellent staff members? It’s also a great idea to keep up to date with the latest news in eye and dental care, and we’ll make sure to keep you updated regularly.

To find out more about our practice, view our cancellations and missed appointments policies, our other policies and procedures, and how we handle complaints, to get to know how we operate and what we’re like as a practice.

To conclude, a chalazion is a lump or swelling in either the upper or lower eyelid due to a blocked gland or infection. A chalazion can usually be treated at home, but if you’re concerned, you will need to visit an eye care specialist. Make sure you keep up good hygiene practices and use a warm compress, and your chalazion should have gone away within a month.

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