Eng English
China 中国人

Eng English
China 中国人
  • News
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Law
  • Education
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Science
  • Digital
  • Automobiles
  • Trở lại Thể thao
  • Health
Friday, 30/1/2026 | 17:01 GMT+7

How chalazion and stye differ

Chalazion forms due to oil gland blockage, while styes are typically caused by bacterial infection, both leading to swelling and discomfort around the eye.

Understanding the distinctions between these two conditions helps in choosing appropriate treatment and preventing recurrence.

Symptoms

Both chalazion and stye swellings can be red and inflamed, but key differences exist.

Styes often present with crusting along the eyelid margin, a gritty sensation as if a foreign body is in the eye, pain in the affected eyelid, a pimple-like appearance, burning or stinging, and light sensitivity. Stye swelling typically subsides after about 3 days, sometimes accompanied by tearing in the affected eye.

Chalazion swellings are generally firmer than styes, developing slowly over several months. Many resolve on their own within a few weeks. Beyond the firm lump, chalazion usually causes no symptoms. If symptoms occur, they may include blurred vision from a large swelling or widespread swelling around the eye.

Causes

Chalazion forms due to blockage of the Meibomian oil glands in the eyelid, which are responsible for keeping the eye moist. Risk factors include blepharitis, rosacea (a skin condition causing facial redness), seborrheic dermatitis (a type of eczema causing skin flaking), tuberculosis, viral infections, and chronic conditions such as diabetes and dyslipidemia.

Styes are typically caused by bacterial infection and come in two types. An external stye appears at the base of an eyelash, usually due to an eyelash follicle infection. An internal stye develops inside the eyelid, resulting from a Meibomian gland infection.

Blepharitis can cause styes. Occasionally, an initial stye may later transform into a chalazion.

Diagnosis

Both chalazion and stye are generally not dangerous, and not all cases require treatment. However, if they cause discomfort, an eye specialist should be consulted. A doctor can diagnose by examining the eyelid area, using a slit lamp for a closer look to differentiate between chalazion, stye, or other conditions (such as basal cell carcinoma).

Treatment

Styes are typically more painful and uncomfortable than chalazion, which often causes few or no symptoms. While treatment for these two conditions shares similarities, not all methods are suitable for both. Potential measures include:

Antibiotics are beneficial for styes caused by infection but are ineffective for chalazion.

Warm compresses can accelerate healing. Apply a clean, warm, moist cloth three to six times a day for 10-15 minutes each time, or use a warm eye mask.

Over-the-counter medications like stye ointments and eyewash solutions are helpful for styes but not effective for chalazion.

Steroid injections help reduce chalazion swelling.

Surgical drainage may be indicated by a doctor if the swelling affects vision. Do not attempt to squeeze or pop them at home to avoid spreading infection. If chalazion or styes recur frequently, a doctor might recommend a biopsy to rule out more serious conditions like sebaceous gland carcinoma.

Prevention

Individuals who have experienced chalazion or styes have a higher risk of recurrence. Prevention measures include avoiding rubbing eyes, washing hands thoroughly before touching eyes, not sharing washcloths, maintaining eyelid hygiene, replacing eye makeup every 6 months, not sharing cosmetics, promptly treating eyelid infections, and properly cleaning contact lenses.

Bao Bao (Source: Very Well Health)

Readers can submit ophthalmology questions here for a doctor's response.
By VnExpress: https://vnexpress.net/chap-mi-va-leo-mat-khac-nhau-the-nao-5011837.html
Tags: chalazion stye eye conditions

News in the same category

Does brown rice water help detoxify the liver?

Does brown rice water help detoxify the liver?

Does consistently drinking brown rice tea help detoxify the liver, prevent cirrhosis, and hepatitis A and B? (Anh Tho, 30, TP HCM)

Tips to boost energy in 10 minutes

Tips to boost energy in 10 minutes

Sipping cinnamon tea, smelling peppermint, or listening to a favorite song can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping the body relax and increase energy.

6 signs of high cholesterol appearing in the legs at night

6 signs of high cholesterol appearing in the legs at night

High cholesterol often manifests as swollen, cold, and tingling legs, along with varicose veins and discomfort at night.

Teenager diagnosed with purpuric rash

Teenager diagnosed with purpuric rash

Huy, 14, developed small red spots on his leg skin; two days later, his leg swelled, and a purple rash appeared. Doctors diagnosed Henoch-Schonlein purpura.

Early detection of cervical cancer despite no symptoms

Early detection of cervical cancer despite no symptoms

Ms. Hong, 46, undergoing regular follow-ups for positive HPV tests, now has a biopsy confirming early-stage cervical cancer.

The secret to a Japanese woman's 11 kg weight loss without exercise

The secret to a Japanese woman's 11 kg weight loss without exercise

Satoco successfully shed 11 kg by adopting a light, plant-based diet and maintaining a relaxed mindset throughout her journey, foregoing intense workouts.

Doctor kneels in road to perform CPR, saving accident victim

Doctor kneels in road to perform CPR, saving accident victim

Doctor Nguyen Huy Tien performed continuous chest compressions for two minutes, saving a 22-year-old man who suffered cardiac arrest after a traffic accident on Nguyen Chi Thanh street.

How to treat an anal abscess?

How to treat an anal abscess?

Swelling and pain in the anus, with symptoms resembling an abscess: is it dangerous, and how is it treated? (Nhu Quynh, 36)

Excess bone removed from heel

Excess bone removed from heel

Tuan, 42, experienced heel pain due to an accessory bone and underwent surgery to have it removed.

The dual burden of caring for relatives undergoing dialysis

The dual burden of caring for relatives undergoing dialysis

Tran Nam, 33, works night shifts while caring for his mother, who undergoes dialysis three times a week, as treatment costs reach tens of millions of VND monthly.

Eng English
China 中国人
  • News
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Law
  • Education
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Science
  • Digital
  • Automobiles
FPT Tower, 10 Pham Van Bach Street, Dich Vong Ward,
Cau Giay District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Email: contacts@vnportal.net
Tel: 028 7300 9999 - Ext 8556
Advertise with us: 090 293 9644
Register
© Copyright 2026 vnnow.net. All rights reserved.
Terms of use Privacy policy Cookies