A chalazion is a redbump on the eyelidthat develops when there is a blocked oil gland.
A stye, orhordeolum, develops where your eyelashes start or under your eyelid.Bacterial infectionsusually cause styes.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
How Do You Tell If It’s a Chalazion or Stye?
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Symptoms of a stye include:
Chalazion bumps are usually firmer than that from a stye.
They usually grow slowly and may develop over a few months.
Often, a chalazion can go away on its own within a few weeks.
Besides the hard bump, a chalazion may not cause symptoms.
Unlike chalazions, blepharitis and styes develop because of bacteria.
Chalazion vs. Stye Causes
Here are the different causes of chalazions and styes.
Risk factors for chalazia include:
Stye Causes
Most of the time, bacterial infections cause styes.
There are two kinds of styes and they have different infection-linked causes:
Blepharitis can cause styes.
Sometimes, a bump can start out as a stye and become a chalazion.
Chalazia and styes are diagnosed with anexamination of the eyelid area.
Which is Worse: A Stye or Chalazion?
A stye is resulting from an infection and a chalazion is resulting from blocked oil glands.
Both conditions may cause redness or swelling, though styes usually hurt more.
This could include antibiotics for a stye or steroid shots for a chalazion.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is the difference between a stye and a chalazion?
Carlisle RT, Digiovanni J.Differential diagnosis of the swollen red eyelid.Am Fam Physician.
2015;92(2):106-112.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What are chalazia and styes?
Raleigh Eye Center.When should I see a doctor for a stye?.
Cleveland Clinic.Stye (sty).
