A chalazion is a painless inflammation of the glands around the eye that causes a small lump in the eyelid. It can lead to an eye infection if left untreated. Warm compresses and antibiotics are recommended treatments, and a doctor may drain or remove the chalazion if necessary. It is important to seek medical treatment for any eye condition. A chalazion is not a stye, which is an infection of the glands around the eyelid caused by bacteria. Rubbing your eyes frequently can cause a chalazion, so it is important to wash your hands before touching your eyes.
A chalazion is an inflammation of the glands surrounding the eye. Typically a chalazion takes the form of a small lump in the upper or lower eyelid, often near the edge. While the lump usually isn’t painful, it is unsightly and, when it bursts, it can lead to an eye infection. Therefore, it’s important to get treatment for a chalazion when it appears. A chalazion may also be called a tarsal or meibomian cyst, a reference to the glands involved.
Normally, the glands around the eye produce small amounts of oil to lubricate the eye and surrounding skin. The oil, also called sebum, prevents the evaporation of fluid on the surface of the eye and also helps seal the eyes when they are closed. Sometimes, the glands start producing oil that is too thick to flow out, and the oil blocks the gland. The gland continues to produce oil, causing an inflamed lump to appear.
Left alone, a chalazion will eventually discharge. However, using warm compresses and gentle massages can help speed up the process. This is usually recommended by a doctor, who also prescribes antibiotics to prevent eye infection. In some cases, a doctor may drain or remove the chalazion if that seems to be indicated. It’s important to seek medical treatment for any eye condition, as an untreated eye condition could have a lasting impact on your vision.
A chalazion is not a stye. A stye, sometimes a sty, is an infection of the glands around the eyelid, rather than inflammation. Unlike a chalazion, which is caused by overproduction of sebum, a stye is caused by a bacterial agent, commonly Staphyloccocus. A stye is also characterized by more extreme pain. The treatment for a stye can vary, which is why it is important to be treated by a doctor for eye diseases, so that you can be sure that you are receiving the appropriate treatment.
There are some steps that can be taken to prevent a chalazion. They often appear when people rub their eyes frequently. If you rub your eyes, you may want to visit a doctor to find out what is the underlying cause of the pain or irritation that leads you to rub your eyes. You should also wash your hands before putting them around your eyes or other mucous membranes, as these delicate tissues are more likely to become inflamed or infected than your skin.
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