Stye Treatment London

What’s the difference between a stye and a chalazion?

A stye is an acute, often painful red lump that forms on or near the edge of your eyelid, usually due to a bacterial infection of an eyelash follicle or oil gland. It tends to develop quickly, may resemble a pimple, and can cause swelling, tenderness, and even tearing or light sensitivity.

A chalazion, in contrast, is a slower-growing, typically painless bump caused by a blocked Meibomian gland deeper in the eyelid. Unlike a stye, it usually lacks redness and pain unless it becomes secondarily infected. Chalazia often persist for weeks or even months and may not resolve without treatment.

How long does a stye or chalazion take to go away?

A small, uncomplicated stye may resolve on its own in 3 to 7 days with regular warm compresses. Early treatment with antibiotics or improved lid hygiene can often speed recovery.

Chalazia tend to last longer. Many resolve within 2 to 6 weeks, but some may persist for several months—especially if underlying causes such as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) are not addressed. In such cases, more targeted treatments, including in-clinic therapies or minor surgery, may be necessary.

At Eye Clinic London, we design personalised treatment plans to not only manage the current issue but also reduce the risk of future ones.

Can stress or lack of sleep trigger these conditions?

Yes, stress and sleep deprivation can significantly impact eyelid health. Stress affects hormone levels and immune function, which may in turn affect oil gland secretions and eyelid inflammation. Sleep deprivation reduces the frequency and completeness of blinking, which impairs the natural cleaning and lubrication of the eyelid margin.

This combination creates a perfect storm for developing either a stye or a chalazion. At Eye Clinic London, we don’t just look at the eye—we consider your lifestyle and offer strategies to minimise these contributing factors, including blink training, sleep hygiene tips, and stress-sensitive care.

Is it safe to wear makeup with a stye or chalazion?

Wearing makeup—especially eye makeup—while you have a stye or chalazion is not advised. Makeup can trap bacteria, block oil gland openings, and further irritate already inflamed eyelids. This can delay healing, spread infection, or even lead to new lesions. Applying mascara or eyeliner to an affected eye can also contaminate your brushes or products, increasing the risk of infecting the other eye. We recommend stopping makeup use entirely until your condition is fully resolved. At Eye Clinic London, we also advise on safe cosmetic hygiene practices to help prevent recurrences.

When can I resume makeup after surgery?

After a chalazion drainage procedure, it’s best to wait 1 to 2 weeks before applying makeup to the eyelid. This gives the incision site time to heal properly and reduces the risk of bacteria re-entering the area.

When you do resume makeup, you should use only new, sterile products and brushes to avoid reintroducing bacteria. If you’ve had repeated episodes, we may suggest switching to hypoallergenic or non-comedogenic products and always removing makeup thoroughly before bed. We’ll advise you personally during your follow-up at Eye Clinic London.

Why do mine keep coming back?

Yes, stress and sleep deprivation can significantly impact eyelid health. Stress affects hormone levels and immune function, which may in turn affect oil gland secretions and eyelid inflammation. Sleep deprivation reduces the frequency and completeness of blinking, which impairs the natural cleaning and lubrication of the eyelid margin.

This combination creates a perfect storm for developing either a stye or a chalazion. At Eye Clinic London, we don’t just look at the eye—we consider your lifestyle and offer strategies to minimise these contributing factors, including blink training, sleep hygiene tips, and stress-sensitive care.

Do all styes or chalazia need antibiotics?

No. Antibiotics are useful only if there’s an active bacterial infection—usually in the case of styes. Signs that antibiotics may be needed include pain, pus, spreading redness, or feverish symptoms.

Chalazia are blockages, not infections. Unless a chalazion becomes secondarily infected, antibiotics are often unnecessary and ineffective.

Can a chalazion resolve without surgery?

Yes, many chalazia do resolve without surgery. Warm compresses, gentle massage, and eyelid cleaning can often clear the blockage over time—especially in early stages.

However, if the lump is large, persistent (more than 4–6 weeks), or affecting your vision or appearance, we may recommend a simple incision and drainage procedure under local anaesthetic. It’s quick, safe, and very effective. At Eye Clinic London, we perform this in a sterile, calm setting and provide clear aftercare support to ensure fast healing.

Is the surgery for a chalazion removal painful, and what is recovery like?

Despite the word “surgery” sounding intimidating, chalazion removal is a very minor and low risk procedure. It’s typically done under the local anaesthetic, meaning only the eyelid is numbed and patients remain awake throughout. The procedure usually takes 10 to 15 minutes, and there is very little discomfort involved.

The lump is drained from the inside of the eyelid, so there are no external cuts or visible scars. Most people describe the experience as quick and straightforward.

After the procedure, there maybe mild swelling, redness, or bruising that settles withing few days. Most patients feel well enough to return to work the next day, although it’s best to avoid strenuous activity and eye makeup for at least a week. Full healing generally takes 1 to 2 weeks, and a short course of antibiotic drops or ointment is often prescribed to prevent infection.

Do contact lenses make it worse?

Wearing contact lenses doesn’t directly cause a stye or chalazion, but poor lens hygiene can raise your risk. Dirty fingers or lenses can introduce bacteria to your eyelid margin. Rubbing your eyes while wearing lenses can also worsen inflammation or trigger gland blockages.

If you’re prone to these conditions, we may suggest switching to daily disposable lenses, reinforcing strict hygiene habits, or even taking breaks from lens wear during flare-ups. Our optometrists at Eye Clinic London work alongside your treatment team to keep your eyes comfortable and safe.

Can rosacea or skin conditions cause these issues?

Yes, ocular rosacea is one of the most common skin-related causes of the repeated chalazia or styes. Rosacea can inflame the eyelids and disturb the function of the meibomian glands. Other skin conditions like seborrhoeic dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis can also affect oil gland balance and increase the risk.