Stye. Chalazion. Even the names of these two eye conditions sound unappealing — and that’s not even to mention how they can make you look.
If you’ve never heard of a stye or chalazion, then you’re not alone. Even though they’re both incredibly common eye conditions, many won’t become familiar with what either are until they develop one for themselves. Many also aren’t aware that practicing proper eyelid hygiene can prevent having to deal with these unsightly, uncomfortable infections in the first place.
Instead of treating styes and chalazia after they develop, we wanted to take some time to explain how a simple change to your hygiene routine can help prevent eyelid conditions, saving you from painful infections.
WHAT IS A STYE, ANYWAY?
Styes are infections that cause a red, painful bump to form near the edge of your eyelid. They will collect pus, look like a boil or pimple, and can be painful or tender.
Usually caused by Staphylococcus — the bacteria responsible for staph infections — styes can develop on both the inner and outer eyelid. An external stye can be caused by an infection that develops in the eyelash follicle, or the Zeis and Moll glands that lubricate your eyelashes.
An internal stye is usually more painful and is caused by an infection of the eye’s meibomian glands, which are responsible for tear quality. This infection of the meibomian glands is a type of disease called “blepharitis,” which is connected to various side effects like dry eye and tear gland dysfunction.
OK, GOT IT. WHAT’S A CHALAZION?
A chalazion forms when swelling causes a bump to develop on the eyelid. This can cause your eyelid to feel tender and appear red and puffy. If a chalazion grows large enough, it can press on your eye and cause temporary blurry vision.
Risks for developing a chalazion include blepharitis, Demodex mite infestations, and rosacea, all of which can be caused by blocked eyelid glands and poor eyelid hygiene. A chalazion can also form from a healing internal stye.
GROSS! SO, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING STYES AND CHALAZIA?
Styes and chalazia are often caused by infections, but are there certain risk factors that make developing one more likely? Of course!
You’re more likely to develop a stye or chalazion if you:
- Forget to remove your makeup before going to sleep
- Use makeup after it’s expired
- Change your contacts without washing your hands first
- Change your contacts without washing your hands first
- Rub your nose and then touch near your eye
ARE THERE STEPS I CAN TAKE TO PREVENT STYES AND CHALAZIA?
While these eyelid infections don’t often require medical attention and will likely heal on their own with time, the pain, discomfort, and unsightly swelling are certainly less than desirable symptoms.
Luckily, practicing proper eyelid hygiene is a simple way to help protect your eyes against infection, and we’ve made eyelid hygiene easy with our Blephadex wipes and foaming cleanser.
Backed by research and trusted by countless doctors, our Blephadex products use a patented formula of tea tree oil and coconut oil to deeply cleanse and moisturize your eyelids. But not only that, they also help kill Demodex mites and help keep your eyelid glands from becoming clogged, preventing the infections that cause styes and chalazia.
Protecting your eyelids from unsightly, uncomfortable infections is as easy as making Blephadex part of your daily (and nightly) routine. When you’re ready to take eyelid hygiene seriously, give our Blephadex wipes, foaming cleanser, or warming wipes a try.
