What causes a chalazion?

What causes a chalazion?

We know it can be alarming when you wake up one morning, look in the mirror and find that one of your eyelids has a red, swollen lump starting to form. However, there’s usually no cause for concern, and it’s likely to be a chalazion. Sometimes the cause is unknown, but in this post, we explain what the most common causes are so you can try to avoid getting one in the future.

We are eye care professionals at the Eye & Dental Clinic, so if you need to book an appointment to get an eye lump checked out or for any other eye-related care, we’re here for you. Here you will learn what a chalazion is, what the symptoms and causes are and what at-home treatments you can try to speed up the healing process.

What is a chalazion?

A chalazion can sometimes be mistaken for a stye, as it is a small, painless lump or swelling that forms within the eyelid. The difference, however, is that a stye appears due to a bacterial infection, and they are often quite sore. A chalazion is typically caused by the blockage of one of the small oil glands located in the eyelid. These glands produce an oily substance that helps lubricate the eye by preventing the evaporation of tears.

Chalazia can be small and not very noticeable, or they can grow larger over time. While they are usually not painful, a larger chalazion can cause blurred or blocked vision if it presses against the eye. Whilst medical care is not always necessary, it’s important to seek an eye care professional if you are concerned about a chalazion.

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 or other lump isn’t serious, and it’s often a pain-free lump that’s more annoying than anything else.

How common are chalazions?

Getting a chalazion is one of the most common causes of eye lumps or swelling on the eyelid, so there’s no need to be alarmed. Anyone can get a chalazion, even children, but adults aged between 30 and 50 are most at risk of a chalazion.

Those who carry out poor eye care, such as not washing their hands before touching their eye to remove contact lenses, for example, or regularly re-using towels, sharing towels and other things such as makeup brushes and eye make-up, are most at risk of developing a chalazion.

Most of the time, the cause of a chalazion is unknown, and some people are more prone to getting them than others. Hormone imbalances can also cause a chalazion or even certain skin conditions. Overall, they’re pretty common and affect around.

Symptoms of a chalazion

If you think you may have a chalazion, these are the most common symptoms you may experience. A chalazion feels firm to the touch and often isn’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.

As you can see, these symptoms are similar to those of a stye. A stye is different in that it is caused by an infection, which makes it a little more painful and contagious. The good thing to note is that usually, chalazions aren’t contagious. If you are worried about your symptoms, always seek professional advice.

What causes a chalazion?

The main cause of a chalazion is inflammation due to a blocked oil gland in the eyelid. There are many reasons why this can happen, including:

• Hormones.
• Medical conditions.
• A build-up of bacteria.
• Allergies.
• Poor eye care.
• Improper hygiene.
• Poor diet.
• Becoming over-tired.
• Skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea.

How to treat a chalazion

If you’re unsure if you have a chalazion and you’re concerned about it, always seek medical advice. But, if you have a lump on your eye that isn’t painful, it is most likely a chalazion (although they can sometimes be a little painful), and if you have a lump on your eye that is quite painful, it’s usually a stye.

The at-home treatments you can do are the same for both conditions, but remember that a stye is contagious, but a chalazion is not, so it’s important to take care. Here are some things you can do at home to help it heal:

• Follow good hygiene practices like washing your hands regularly and not touching your eyes, as this can make the problem worse.
• Avoid wearing makeup, particularly eye makeup and do not use anyone else’s makeup or allow them to use yours.
• Use a warm compress, as the heat will loosen and open up your skin to clear it out. You can do this for around 10-15 minutes a few times a day.
• Over-the-counter eye drops are available to buy, or your eye care professional may provide you with some.
• Consult a professional for help if your chalazion gets worse or isn’t healing.

If you have a chalazion, expect it to last around a month, but some can take a little longer to heal. A hardened chalazion will eventually go away, but it can take longer, and this is usually nothing to worry about.

There are a few ways to tell if your chalazion is healing. Your eyelid will become less swollen and red, any discomfort will subside, and your blurred vision will decrease. However, in some cases, if your chalazion is left without professional treatment and carrying out simple home treatments isn’t enough, it can cause more serious conditions.

The Eye & Dental Clinic

At the Eye & Dental Clinic, we recommend you pay us a visit to check that your chalazion is healing as it should. Or, if you have any other eye care or dental needs, we’re here for you.  We are a friendly and professional clinic, welcoming the people of Bury and the surrounding communities, and we would be happy to welcome you too.

Our experienced eye care professionals will ask you questions about your medical and eye history, do a thorough examination, offer advice on how to help the chalazion heal and provide additional treatment if necessary.

We offer emergency dental appointments with flexible appointment times. See our deposits and missed appointments policy to learn more about how our practice appointments run. To learn more about us, see our practice policies and procedures.

Getting a chalazion diagnosed

When you come for your appointment, your eye care specialist will examine your eye using a bright light and a magnifier to check your eye health and the cause of the issue. They will also ask you some eye care history and some general health questions to determine the reason for your chalazion. Your eye care specialist will then recommend eye-care treatment that you can do at home, to begin with, and you should expect it to disappear within a few weeks.

To sum up, a chalazion is caused by inflammation due to a blocked oil gland in the eyelid. The cause of this is usually unknown, but it can be because of certain medical conditions, poor eye care and hygiene, being over-tired, or even certain skin conditions can cause it. The most important thing to remember is that the problem isn’t serious, but left untreated and if your symptoms worsen, it can lead to more serious issues, so make sure you get it checked out.

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