Chalazion: How to Care for Your Child

A chalazion (kuh-LAY-zee-en) is a lump on the eyelid caused by a blockage of one of the small oil glands. It usually gets better in a few weeks with simple home care.

• Wash your hands before and after touching your child's eyelids.

• Apply warm compresses on the closed eyelid four times a day for about 10–15 minutes.

• After using the warm compress, gently massage the eye area according to your health care provider's instructions.

• Each day, gently wash the closed eyelid with warm water and eyelid wash (available in drugstores) or a drop of baby shampoo mixed with water. Rinse thoroughly.

• Don't squeeze or pop the chalazion or rub the affected eye.

• If your child uses makeup or wears contact lenses, have them stop using them until the eyelid is healed.

• The chalazion hasn't gone away after 1 month of home care.

• The chalazion gets bigger.

• Your child has eye pain.

• Your child has blurry vision or other vision changes.

How do chalazions happen? Chalazions happen because of a blocked oil duct in the eyelid. Most start as a red swelling on the eyelid, then become a bump no bigger than a pea. Rarely, a chalazion can grow larger and cause vision changes until it shrinks.

How does a chalazion differ from a stye? A chalazion is from a blocked oil duct that causes a bump in the middle of the eyelid. It usually develops slowly and isn't painful. A stye is from an inflamed and infected oil gland at the edge of the lid near the lashes. It comes on suddenly and usually is painful.

How long do chalazions last? Most chalazions last a few weeks. If a chalazion doesn't go away in a month, a visit to the eye doctor is usually recommended.