Have you ever experienced a bump growing in your eyelid? The bump found on your eyelid is called a chalazion. However, you should not confuse a chalazion from a stye or hordeolum though both may involve having bumps on the eyelid. All you have to keep in mind is that a chalazion is merely an inflammation on the eyelid. On the other hand, a sty or hordeolum is a more serious one because this already involves acute infection of the gland. You’ll further understand this condition as you continue reading this article.
Symptoms
Chalazion formation would cause redness, swelling, heat and pain on the affected area. More specifically, you may expect the following signs and symptoms to be present along with the formation of bump on the lid:
- Usually, the bump on the eyelid grows up to 1/8 of an inch and this appears to be just localized on one area.
- The bump also grows in size as the inflammatory process progresses. So, you would notice that the bump is gradually growing bigger. Do not fret though because this just normal.
- It is also normal to experience pain as the chalazion or eyelid bump increases in size. However, when the pain becomes unbearable, you should consult your doctor the soonest because this could be an indication of an ongoing infection.
- Blurring of vision may also be reported in some cases.
Causes of bump on Eyelid
For you to better understand how a chalazion forms, it would be best if you first acquaint yourself with a small background on the anatomy of the eye. To begin with, your eyes have special types of glands called Meibomian glands. There are actually 30-40 glands of this type in both the upper and lower eyelid. The primary function of these glands is to help secrete oil into the tears. When these glands become blocked, this is the time that bumps would begin to form. At times, there are also certain instances that the body would trigger inflammatory process that would lead to swelling, redness, warmth and pain in some cases. Nonetheless, even with the presence of an inflammation in a chalazion this does not yet involve infection just like that in a sty.
Typically, the oils produced by the Meibomian glands flow directly right through an opening at the rear end of either the upper or lower eyelashes. There are certain situations that the oil produced by these glands becomes too thick to the extent that this would start blocking the opening. With the opening getting blocked with oil, the Meibomian glands continue to produce more oil causing the area to become stuffed. As a result, bump would form into the eyelid.
Examination
So as your condition to be properly diagnosed you may seek consultation from an ophthalmologist. The examination typically involves inspection of the skin on the eyelid, specifically around the bump. Your doctor may alongside conduct a vision test.
Treatment
Bump on the eyelid can actually just be treated at home. There are several ways in which you can treat bump on the eyelid. Here are some of the ways in which you can treat a chalazion:
Home Remedies
Warm compress
Get a warm towel or cloth and soak it in lukewarm water. You can then apply this to the pump. Applying warm compress would help reduce inflammation. This also facilitates drainage of the blocked oil. Warm compress should be applied for about 5-10 minutes four times a day.
Gentle massage
Gently massaging the affected area would also help promote faster healing.
Avoid popping
Also, you should resist the temptation of popping the bump so as not to aggravate the condition.
Medical Intervention
Antibiotic eye drops
Should an infection be suspected, your physician would usually prescribe you with an antibiotic eye drop.
Steroid injections
Steroid injections may also be given to help halt the ongoing inflammatory process.
Tetracycline
There are a number of conditions which will thicken the oil produced by the Meibomian glands. If this is the case, tetracycline would most likely be prescribed as this helps lessen the thickness of the oil.
Surgery
A chalazion should be gone within a few days. Nonetheless, if this persists for up to several weeks and begins to manifest symptoms which make you feel uncomfortable, surgery would oftentimes be required. The surgery involves the removal of the chalazion. This may also be indicated especially when the appearance becomes too repulsive.
These are just some of the ways in which you can treat bumps on the eyelid. You can also prevent chalazion formation in the future simply by warm compress application and using mild baby shampoo to cleanse the lids. Overall, bump on the eyelid can be considered to be just a minor condition. This is not also contagious so you don’t have to worry.
Bump on Eyelid Pictures
Photos, Images and Pictures of bump on eyelid…
I am 10 and I think that I have this is this an appropriate age to have it at? Also, does it at all hurt? I don’t want to feel pain please help! I just noticed it two days ago!