Signs and symptoms of a sty or chalazion include:
- A red lump on your eyelid that is similar to a boil or a pimple
- Eyelid pain
- Eyelid swelling
- Tearing
Risk factors for stye and chalazions
You are at increased risk of a stye or chalazion if you:
- Touch your eyes with unwashed hands
- Insert your contact lenses without thoroughly disinfecting them or washing your hands first
- Leave on eye makeup overnight
- Use old or expired cosmetics
- Have blepharitis, a chronic inflammation along the edge of the eyelid
- Have rosacea, a skin condition characterized by facial redness
Prevention of stye and chalazions
To prevent eye infections:
- Wash your hands.
Wash your hands with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer several times each day. Keep your hands away from your eyes. - Take care with cosmetics.
Reduce your risk of recurrent eye infections by throwing away old cosmetics. Don’t share your cosmetics with others. Don’t wear eye makeup overnight. - Make sure your contact lenses are clean.
If you wear contact lenses, wash your hands thoroughly before handling your contacts and follow your doctor’s advice on disinfecting them. - Apply warm compresses.
If you’ve had a sty before, using a warm compress regularly may help prevent it from coming back. - Manage blepharitis.
If you have blepharitis, follow your doctor’s instructions for caring for your eyes.