How to Differentiate Between a Chalazion and a Stye on Your Eyelid

H. isDo you have a lump on your eyelid and can’t tell if it’s a chalazion or a stye? Here’s how to differentiate between these two different slimes.

Situation

A sty it is a red, painful lump near the edge of the eyelid. It usually grows from the base of an eyelash or under the eyelid. Most styes are caused by a bacterial infection. We can distinguish two types of stye: external (starting at the bottom of the eye and often caused by an infected hair follicle. It can look like a pimple); inside (develops inside the eyelid as a result of an infection in the sebaceous gland). Symptoms of a stye include: swelling of the entire eyelid; a small spot of pus in the middle of the lump; sense that there is something in the eye; sensitivity to light; crust on the edge of the eyelid; tearing in the affected eye.

Chalazion

A chalazion is an enlargement of a sebaceous gland in the eyelid. It starts as an internal stye but is usually painless. You may not notice any symptoms at first. As it grows, your eyelid may become red, swollen, and sometimes tender to the touch. If a chalazion grows large, it can press on the eye and cause blurred vision. Unlike the stye, the chalazion usually grows further back on the eyelid. It is caused by blockage of the sebaceous gland and rarely affects the entire eyelid.

In summary

A stye is painful, often forms at the edge of the eyelid and is caused by an infected eyelash root. Chalazion is usually painless, grows further back on the eyelid, and is caused by a blocked sebaceous gland. Chalazion is a swelling but it is not contagious. A sty is usually caused by a staph infection. Go to a specialist for proper diagnosis and proper treatment.