Introduction

A chalazion is an inflammation within the gland of the eyelid.  It forms over several weeks and appears as a reddened lump or bump on the eyelid.  A chalazion can cause eyelid tenderness and painful swelling.  In some cases, chalazia can be treated at home.  A doctor should treat a chalazion if home treatments fail or the condition gets worse.  

Anatomy

Your child’s skin is composed of three major layers, the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue.  The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin.  It protects the inner layers of skin from the environment.  The dermis is made up of connective tissue and provides structure.  It contains hair cells, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands that secrete oils to moisturize skin.  Subcutaneous tissue contains fat cells that insulate your child’s body and make the skin appear plump or full.

Meibomian glands are a type of sebaceous gland located in the eyelid.  Meibomian glands produce oils and tear film that lubricates the eyes.  Each of your child’s eyelids has about 100 meibomian glands.  They are located near the eyelashes. 

Causes

A chalazion occurs when the duct of a meibomian gland is blocked.  If the duct is obstructed, oil from a meibomian gland cannot drain.  As more oil is produced, it builds up and causes a lump or bump to form on the eyelid.  Eventually, the gland breaks open.

Chalazia are not the same thing as styes, although they may appear to be similar.  Styes form in the glands and eyelash follicles that are closer to the surface of the skin.  A stye usually causes more pain and looks more infected.

Symptoms

Chalazia develop more frequently on the upper eyelid.  A chalazion may begin as a swollen area that slowly increases in size over weeks to form a small lump.  A chalazion can cause eyelid tenderness and painful swelling.  The affected area may appear red.

In some cases, chalazia can cause the eyes to produce more tears.  Your child’s eyes may be more sensitive to light than they were before.  A large chalazion can cause astigmatism if it puts pressure on the cornea in your child’s eye.  Astigmatism causes blurred vision and eye discomfort.

Diagnosis

You should contact a doctor, dermatologist, or an ophthalmologist, a doctor that specializes in eye disease, if your child has eyelid redness or swelling that gets worse, and causes blurred vision, fever, headache, or severe pain.  You should contact your doctor if your child has significant swelling, redness, or if both eyes are swollen.  A doctor can diagnose a chalazion.  The doctor will examine the outside and inside of your child’s eyelid and will also test your child’s vision. 

Treatment

Some chalazia can be treated at home.  It can be helpful to apply a clean warm compress to the affected area for several minutes a few times a day.  The warmth can help soften the oils and promote drainage and reduce swelling.  You should not try to “pop,” burst, or scratch the chalazion.  Chalazia can take about a month to heal.

You should contact your doctor if your child’s chalazion does not respond to treatment, grows larger, or comes back.  Your doctor can treat your child’s chalazion with medication.  In some cases, chalazia are surgically removed.  

Prevention

Keeping your child’s eyelids clean and dry may help promote healing.  Your child should avoid wearing eye make-up if she develops a chalazion.  Avoid “popping’ or squeezing a chalazion, this will only make the condition worse.

Am I at Risk

Is My Child at Risk? 

Risk factors may increase your child’s likelihood of developing chalazia.  Children with all of the risk factors may never develop the condition; however, the chance of developing chalazia increases with the more risk factors your child has.  You should tell your doctor about your child’s risk factors and discuss your concerns.

Risk factors for chalazia:

_____ Chalazia are more common in adults, although they can occur at any age.
_____ If your child has had a chalazion, he or she is at risk to have another one.  It is common for chalazia to recur.
_____ Hormone increases in the teenage years or during pregnancy may contribute to chalazion formation.
_____ Poor eyelid hygiene increases the risk of chalazia.
_____ Seborrhea, chronic blepharitis, and acne rosacea are conditions that are associated with an increased risk for chalazia.
_____ It appears that stress is linked to chalazia, but that association is not clear.

Complications

In rare cases, the duct of a meibomian gland can be blocked by skin cancer.  Your doctor will perform a biopsy if skin cancer is suspected.  A biopsy involves taking a tissue sample for examination under a microscope.

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