They look alike but are not the same. A stye is usually red and sore, sometimes with a white head at the lash line. A chalazion is usually a firmer, less painful lump inside the lid. Warm compresses are the first step for both. A lump that doesn't settle can be drained in the clinic, and in young children a larger lump on the upper lid can change the shape of the eye, so it is worth a check.
| What it is | Chalazion: a blocked oil gland. Stye: an infected gland near the lashes |
|---|---|
| Who gets it | Children and adults, more often with blepharitis, eye rubbing, rosacea or around puberty |
| What you might notice | A lump on the lid, redness, swelling or tenderness; a stye may have a white head |
| How it is treated | Warm compresses first. A lump that lasts can be drained in the clinic |
| When to book | If a lump lasts more than a few weeks, keeps coming back, or a child's upper-lid lump is large. Same day if swelling spreads or vision changes |
Chalazion or stye?
- Stye: red, sore bump at the edge of the lid, sometimes with a white head
- Chalazion: firmer lump further into the lid, often not painful
- Both: some swelling and redness around the lump
- Don't squeeze either one
Chalazion vs stye
From compresses to a quick procedure
Most settle with simple care. A lump that hangs around can be drained in the chair.
Warm compresses
For both. Don't squeeze. Keep lids clean, especially if blepharitis is a factor.
Drainage in the chair
For a chalazion, or a stye that hasn't settled: numbing, then a small drainage from the inside of the lid. It depends on how still a child can stay, and is usually easier from around age 10.
Steroid injection
Another option for a chalazion, done by an eye surgeon.
What studies show: in one trial, about 9 in 10 chalazia had gone within three weeks after drainage or a steroid injection, compared with about half with warm compresses alone.
Book a check, or get help today
Book an eye test if
- A lump has lasted more than a few weeks
- Lumps keep coming back, especially in the same spot
- Your child has a lump on the upper lid
- Your eyelids are often red, crusty or itchy
Get help the same day if
- Swelling spreads across the eyelid or around the eye
- The eye bulges, eye movements hurt, or vision changes
- Your child has a fever or seems unwell
These can be signs of a spreading infection. Go to your nearest emergency department, or call us on (03) 9404 5279 in clinic hours.
Questions parents ask
Are a chalazion and a stye the same thing?
No. A stye is an infected gland; a chalazion is a blocked one. They are treated a little differently.
Do I need antibiotics?
Usually not. A chalazion isn't an infection. A stye usually settles with compresses; see us if redness spreads.
Why does my child keep getting them?
Blepharitis, eye rubbing, rosacea and puberty make them more likely. Daily lid hygiene helps.
Can a chalazion affect vision?
In young children, a larger lump on the upper lid can change the shape of the eye and cause astigmatism, so it is worth a check.
How long do they take to go?
Often days to weeks. Some take longer, and sources differ on how long.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. It draws on: