Chalazion Explained: The Harmless Eyelid Bump That Usually Clears Up on Its Own
Updated: 2 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick answer
A chalazion is a harmless, usually painless eyelid bump that forms when a tiny oil gland gets blocked. [1] Unlike a stye, it is not caused by bacteria. [1] Treat it with warm compresses for 15 minutes at least three times a day and never pop it. [1] See a doctor if it does not clear, keeps returning or blurs your vision.
What the research says
According to PubMed:
Warm compresses help, but older chalazia are harder to clear. In a randomized trial of 149 patients, hot compresses alone, with tobramycin, or with tobramycin/dexamethasone for 4–6 weeks produced complete resolution in 18% of lesions overall, with no significant difference between the three treatments; every group still saw a mean size reduction (1.20, 1.69 and 1.54 mm). Lesions that fully resolved had been present for less time (1.5 vs 2.2 months), and the authors suggest considering incision and curettage or a steroid injection for chalazia present more than 2 months. (Wu et al., Acta Ophthalmologica, 2018) [2].
Lid hygiene is a useful part of treatment. In a randomized trial of 50 patients with acute chalazion, 44% of those using lid hygiene alone had resolution at 1 month, compared with 87% of those who also had in-office microblepharoexfoliation (an eyelid-margin exfoliation procedure) (P = 0.007). (Zhu et al., Cornea, 2023) [3].
A steroid injection can work as well as surgery for many chalazia. In 118 patients with primary chalazion, an intralesional triamcinolone injection was as effective as incision and curettage for both medium (3–7 mm) and large (over 7 mm) chalazia. (Singhania et al., Nepalese Journal of Ophthalmology, 2018) [4].
What is a chalazion?
A chalazion is a red, swollen bump on your eyelid. It's sometimes called an eyelid cyst or a meibomian cyst. [1] It slowly forms when an oil gland (called a meibomian gland) becomes blocked. [1] At first, the chalazion may be painful, but after a little time it usually doesn't hurt. [1]
Your eyelid has tiny glands that make an oily substance to help keep your eyes moist. When one of them gets blocked, it begins retaining oil and swells. [1] Eventually the fluid drains, irritating the surrounding eyelid skin, and that irritation can lead to a hard lump filled with oil and fluid. [1]
A chalazion typically forms on the underside of your upper eyelid, but it may occasionally form on your lower eyelid. [1] Chalazia (the plural) usually develop in adults between the ages of 30 and 50. They're not common in children, but they can happen. [1]
Chalazion vs. stye: how can you tell them apart?
It can be hard to tell a chalazion from a stye, and a chalazion can form because of a stye. [1] They're different conditions, though. Both form because of blocked oil glands, but the details set them apart.
What are the symptoms of a chalazion?
The main chalazion symptom is a bump on your eyelid, usually the upper lid. It may hurt when it first appears, but the pain quickly goes away. As it grows, it may become red, swollen and tender. [1] Other symptoms can include:
What causes a chalazion?
A chalazion develops when something blocks a small oil gland in your eyelid. These meibomian glands release a thin layer of oil that helps keep your eyes moist. A blocked gland retains oil and swells, and when the fluid eventually drains it irritates the skin around it. [1]
Are chalazia contagious?
No. Bacterial infections don't cause chalazia, so bacteria can't spread from person to person. [1] You can't catch one from someone else, and no one can catch one from you.
Who is more likely to get a chalazion?
Chalazia are very common and anyone can get one, but you may be more likely to if you:
Risk factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
A previous chalazion | If you've had one, you're more likely to have another [1] |
Chronic blepharitis | Ongoing eyelid inflammation [1] |
Certain skin conditions | Dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis) or rosacea [1] |
Dry skin | Affects the skin around your eyelids [1] |
Hormonal changes | Shifts in your hormones can contribute [1] |
Can a chalazion affect my vision?
In some cases, yes. A larger chalazion can press on the surface of your eye (the cornea), which can lead to blurred and decreased vision. [1] That's one reason to have a big one checked.
How is a chalazion diagnosed?
You'll usually see an eye care specialist — an optometrist (a vision care professional who examines and treats eye conditions) or an ophthalmologist (a medical doctor who specializes in eye and vision care). [1] Expect three parts to the visit:
Exam step | What happens |
|---|---|
Health history | Your provider reviews your complete health history to find underlying issues that could contribute to a chalazion [1] |
External eye exam | A complete exam of your eye, eyelid, eyelashes and skin texture [1] |
Thorough eyelid exam | A bright light and magnification are used to look at the base of your eyelashes and check the oil glands' openings on the underside of your eyelid [1] |
What is the best way to get rid of a chalazion?
Most cases of chalazion can be treated at home, and most go away in a month or less. [1] First, an important warning: never push on a chalazion or try to pop it. You can cause inflammation and infection. [1] Instead, try:
Home-care step | How to do it |
|---|---|
Warm compresses | Wet a clean washcloth with warm water and hold it on the affected eye for 15 minutes, at least three times a day, to help the blocked oil gland open up [1] |
Good hygiene | Don't wear eye makeup while you have a chalazion, keep the area clean after it drains, follow good eye health practices, and avoid touching your eyes [1] |
If the chalazion doesn't go away, see an eye care specialist. Treatment in the office may include draining the fluid through a small cut (incision) or an injection of steroids to reduce swelling and inflammation. [1] In a randomized trial, a triamcinolone injection worked as well as incision and curettage for medium and large chalazia (Singhania et al., 2018) [4], and a separate trial suggests moving to these options sooner for chalazia present more than about 2 months (Wu et al., 2018) [2].
How long does a chalazion last?
How long a chalazion lasts depends on how you care for it. With proper home management, a chalazion may heal in about a week. [1] If left untreated, it can take four to six weeks to heal, and some persist for many months. [1] Chalazia that have been present for a while are less likely to clear with home care alone, so don't wait indefinitely if yours isn't improving. [2]
Will I get more chalazia?
If you've had one chalazion, you may get another. [1] Good eyelid hygiene helps prevent future ones. [1] If you also have symptoms of eyelid inflammation or dry eye, our guides to blepharitis and dry eyes may help.
How can I prevent chalazia?
Avoiding styes can help you avoid a chalazion, since some chalazia form because of styes. [1] Good hygiene is the key:
Prevention habit | What to do |
|---|---|
Hand washing | Wash your hands thoroughly and often, and always before touching your eyes [1] |
Contact lens care | Wash your hands before removing lenses, clean them thoroughly with disinfectant and lens cleaning solution, and throw daily and limited-time lenses away on schedule [1] |
Face washing | Wash your face daily to remove dirt and makeup before bed; your provider may suggest a special eyelid scrub or baby shampoo if you're prone to blepharitis [1] |
Makeup hygiene | Throw away old or expired makeup, replace mascara and eye shadow every two to three months, and never share makeup [1] |
When should I see my healthcare provider?
See an eye care specialist if a chalazion doesn't go away with home treatment, if you keep getting chalazia, or if a large one blurs your vision. A bump that keeps coming back in the same spot, especially in an older adult, may need a biopsy to rule out a rare eyelid cancer that can look like a chalazion. Good questions to ask: Do chalazia usually go away on their own? How long will mine take to heal? What treatment do you recommend? What can I do to prevent future ones?
What can I expect in the long run?
Finding a lump near your eye can be worrying, but chalazia aren't usually a cause for concern and are very treatable. Most cases go away with self-care and good eyelid hygiene. If one persists and doesn't seem to be getting any better, contact your eye care specialist.
What's the bottom line?
A chalazion is a common, harmless eyelid bump caused by a blocked oil gland — not an infection, not contagious, and usually painless after the first few days. Warm compresses for 15 minutes at least three times a day, no eye makeup while it heals, and steady eyelid hygiene are the first steps. Resist the urge to pop it, see an eye care specialist if it lingers or keeps returning, and know that quick, straightforward office treatments exist if you need them.
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Conclusion
Finding a bump on your eyelid is naturally alarming, but a chalazion is one of the least worrisome things it could be. It isn't an infection, it won't spread to anyone else, and in most cases a warm washcloth is the best medicine. If it lingers, an eye care specialist has simple options to help.
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Related reading on Rinnit
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a chalazion?
A chalazion is a red, swollen bump on your eyelid, also called an eyelid cyst or meibomian cyst. It slowly forms when a small oil gland (a meibomian gland) in the eyelid becomes blocked.
Is a chalazion the same thing as a stye?
No. Both form from blocked oil glands, but a stye is a bacterial infection at the edge of the eyelid that can be painful, while a chalazion forms farther back on the eyelid and generally isn't painful.
Can a stye turn into a chalazion?
Yes. A chalazion can form because of a stye, which is one reason the two conditions get confused.
Where does a chalazion usually appear?
A chalazion typically forms on the underside of your upper eyelid, but it may occasionally form on your lower eyelid.
Does a chalazion hurt?
A chalazion may be painful at first, but the pain usually goes away quickly, and after a little time it typically doesn't hurt.
Are chalazia contagious?
No. Bacterial infections don't cause them, so they can't spread from person to person.
Who usually gets a chalazion?
Chalazia usually develop in adults between the ages of 30 and 50. They're not common in children, but they can happen.
What causes a chalazion?
Something blocks a small oil gland in the eyelid. The blocked gland retains oil and swells, and when the fluid drains it irritates the surrounding skin and can lead to a hard lump filled with oil and fluid.
Am I more likely to get a chalazion?
Anyone can get one, but you're more likely if you've had one before, have chronic blepharitis (eyelid inflammation), have a skin condition like dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis) or rosacea, have dry skin, or are going through hormonal changes.
Can a chalazion affect my vision?
A larger chalazion can press on the cornea (the surface of your eye), which can lead to blurred and decreased vision.
How do I treat a chalazion at home?
Hold a clean washcloth wet with warm water on the closed eye for 15 minutes, at least three times a day. Skip eye makeup while it heals, keep the area clean after it drains, and avoid touching your eyes.
Can I pop a chalazion?
No. Never push on a chalazion or try to pop it. You can cause inflammation and infection.
What if a chalazion doesn't go away?
See an eye care specialist. Office treatment may include draining the fluid through a small cut (incision) or an injection of steroids to reduce swelling and inflammation.
How long does a chalazion last?
With proper home care, a chalazion may heal in about a week. Left untreated it can take four to six weeks, and some last many months. Older chalazia are less likely to clear with home care alone.
Will I get more chalazia after having one?
You may. If you have one chalazion, you may get another, so good eyelid hygiene is important.
How can I prevent a chalazion?
Wash your hands often, care for contact lenses properly, wash your face daily to remove dirt and makeup, clean your eyelids with a special scrub or baby shampoo if you're prone to blepharitis, and replace mascara and eye shadow every two to three months without sharing makeup.
What's the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?
Both can examine and treat a chalazion. An optometrist is a vision care professional who examines and treats eye conditions, and an ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in eye and vision care.
When should I see a healthcare provider?
See an eye care specialist if the chalazion doesn't go away with home treatment, if chalazia keep coming back, or if a large one blurs your vision.
Are chalazia dangerous?
Generally no. Chalazia aren't usually a cause for concern and are very treatable. Most cases go away on their own with self-care and good eyelid hygiene.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something you have read here. If you have an eyelid bump that doesn't improve with home care, keeps coming back, or affects your vision, see an eye care specialist for a proper evaluation.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Chalazion. Cleveland Clinic. Last updated January 8, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17657-chalazion
Wu AY, Gervasio KA, Gergoudis KN, Wei C, Oestreicher JH, Harvey JT. Conservative therapy for chalazia: is it really effective? Acta Ophthalmol. 2018;96(4):e503-e509. PMID 29338124. https://doi.org/10.1111/aos.13675
Zhu D, Gupta RR, Stein RL, et al. Randomized prospective evaluation of microblepharoexfoliation BlephEx as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of chalazia. Cornea. 2023;42(2):172-175. PMID 35867627. https://doi.org/10.1097/ICO.0000000000003090
Singhania R, Sharma N, Vashisht S, Dewan T. Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TA) versus incision and curettage (I & C) for medium and large size chalazia. Nepal J Ophthalmol. 2018;10(19):3-10. PMID 31056570. https://doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v10i1.21661
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