Does your child have a small, purulent-bloody lump on the eyelid? It’s possible it’s a chalazion. Learn how to recognize a chalazion, what causes it, and how it can be treated.
What is a chalazion?
A chalazion is a small, gelatinous, purulent-bloody nodule that erupts on the upper or lower eyelid. Although it does not hurt, it can cause discomfort – it is hard and unfavorably located. It may be accompanied by redness and swelling. Chalazion occurs as a consequence of chronic inflammation of the meibomian gland. As a result of the closure of the secretion ducts, a nodule is formed, which may grow slightly over time.
The causes of the appearance of chalazion
Circumstances favoring the occurrence of chalazion include, among others:
- uncompensated vision defect in children,
- uncured, recurring external barley,
- staph infection,
- hyperactive meibomian glands (commonly seen in people who wear contact lenses),
- rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis.
How can chalazion be treated?
1. A chalazion sometimes heals on its own. The nodule may be absorbed or break through on its own, but it must be remembered that this happens rather sporadically. 2. Conservative treatment can be started with compresses and compresses. Applying chalazion several times a day (approx. 20 minutes each) usually helps to reduce inflammation. You can use chamomile, green tea or fresh parsley for this purpose. In order to reduce the swelling and try to drain the mass residing inside the nodule, it is also worth using massages.3. If the chalazion does not go away within two weeks, you should consult your doctor. Contact with a specialist is also recommended when the patient has problems with visual acuity or suffers from eye pain. The doctor then prescribes ointments with antibiotics and cortisone, drops or oral medications.4. When conventional methods fail, the chalazion is surgically removed. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis and is based on incision of the skin and curettage of the chalazion. Afterwards, the patient receives an antibiotic and a special dressing is applied to his eye.