A chalazion and a hordeolum are both bumps on the eyelid. A hordeolum, also called a stye, is caused by bacterial infection, while a chalazion results from an obstructed gland.

Knowing whether you have a chalazion or a stye can help you treat the lump in the most effective way to help it heal.

While both often go away on their own and respond well to home remedies, some people may benefit from medical treatment. That may include antibiotics for a stye or surgery to drain a large chalazion.

This article will cover what you need to know about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments for chalazia (the plural form of chalazion) versus hordeola (the plural form of hordeolum) and their relationship to conditions like blepharitis.

A hordeolum, also known as a stye, and a chalazion can look similar. But they usually feel different. While a chalazion may start as a red and tender area of the eyelid, it usually turns into a lump that’s not painful. A hordeolum, on the other hand, is quite painful.

They also have different causes. A hordeolum is caused by a bacterial infection, while a chalazion results from an obstructed gland. If a hordeolum (stye) isn’t treated properly, it can become a chalazion.

If your eye feels irritated and you notice a lump on the eyelid, it may be hard to tell if you have a hordeolum or a chalazion. Your other symptoms may provide additional clues. These may be the same symptoms a doctor uses to give a formal diagnosis.

Chalazion symptoms

Symptoms of a chalazion include:

Hordeolum symptoms

Symptoms of a hordeolum include:

  • painful bump on the eyelid, either outside on the eyelid margin or inside the eyelid
  • swollen eyelid
  • visible pus at the center of the lump
  • light sensitivity
  • more tears than normal
  • eye irritation, like scratching or feeling like there’s a foreign body in the eye
  • crusting along the eyelid

Although chalazia and hordeola look similar, they usually have very different causes. Chalazion usually results from inflammatory processes due to the clogging of oil glands in the eyelid. Styes result from a bacterial infection.

Chalazion causes

The primary causes of a chalazion are obstruction of the oil glands (meibomian glands) along the rims of the eyelid or the oil glands (Zeis glands) at the eyelash follicle.

You may be more likely to get a chalazion if you have risk factors that include:

Hordeolum causes

Styes usually result from a bacterial infection in the:

  • sebaceous glands along the rims of the eyelid, known as meibomian glands
  • sebaceous glands surrounding the eyelashes, known as Zeis glands

Typically, the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus causes styes.

You may be more likely to develop a stye if you have risk factors that include:

  • stress
  • conditions that affect the immune system
  • rosacea
  • blepharitis
  • chronic dry eyes

A chalazion is a hard, painless lump from blocked oil glands. A hordeolum is a painful lump caused by a bacterial infection.

A hordeolum and chalazion are different kinds of eyelid bumps. One doesn’t always lead to the other.

However, if a hordeolum, or stye, isn’t properly treated, it can cause a chalazion. A stye can prevent the normal drainage of the eyelid’s oil glands, which then become blocked up, causing inflammation in the eyelid.

In contrast, if left alone, a chalazion is unlikely to lead to a hordeolum, or stye. But if the chalazion ruptures, especially when picked at and irritated, the debris can cause inflammation inside the eyelid and behave as if it were a hordeolum. Bacteria can also enter this way.

You should avoid picking at any lump around your eye.

Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid. It shares many of the symptoms of chalazion and hordeolum, such as:

  • discoloration
  • burning
  • itchy eyes
  • and irritation

Blepharitis also causes dandruff-like flakes near the base of the eyelashes.

Unlike the other two conditions, Blepharitis does not cause a lump on the eyelid. However, blepharitis can increase your risk of getting a hordeolum or chalazion.

Their causes can sometimes overlap.

Blepharitis may develop if you have too much bacteria on the eyelid, and bacteria can also cause a stye. A chalazion and blepharitis may develop if your eyelid’s oil glands become clogged.

Doctors can determine whether an eyelid lump is a hordeolum or chalazion by physically examining the eye. They will typically also ask about your symptoms.

They may diagnose a stye if the lump is painful or tender to the touch or if you have burning or swelling in one eyelid.

If the lump isn’t tender and there’s little to no discoloration in the surrounding eyelid, they may diagnose a chalazion.

Chalazia and hordeola usually get better without treatment after a few weeks. Although it’s tempting to pop a stye or chalazion, this can do more harm to the eye area. If you have an infection, popping the lump may spread it.

Self-care measures done a few times daily can help speed the process of resolving the chalazion or hordeolum. A doctor can offer medical solutions like medications or surgical drainage if these methods don’t work.

Chalazion treatment

  • applying a warm compress to the chalazion for 5 to 10 minutes at a time, several times a day
  • gently massaging the eyelid around the chalazion after applying the compress
  • surgical incision to drain or remove the contents of the lump
  • corticosteroid injections to reduce swelling

Hordeolum, or stye, treatment

  • applying a warm compress several times daily for several minutes at a time
  • gently massaging to assist with drainage
  • topical antibiotics and corticosteroids
  • oral antibiotics in the case of eyelid infection
  • surgical drainage if previous treatment doesn’t work

If a lump on the eyelid causes a lot of discomfort or pain, you might want to see an eye doctor. Even if the lump will resolve on its own, waiting for it to heal may cause distress if it’s large or affects your vision.

If a hordeolum or chalazion doesn’t get better, a doctor may discuss treatment options like surgical drainage.

Consider seeing a doctor if:

  • Home treatment doesn’t bring down inflammation.
  • The lump doesn’t get smaller with a warm compress and eyelid massage.
  • The lump is painful, or you suspect an infection.
  • The hordeolum or chalazion doesn’t go away after a month.
  • An eyelid lump comes back.
  • The bump makes it hard for you to see.
  • The bump irritates your eyeball or cornea.

To prevent a bacterial infection that may lead to a stye, try to practice eyelid hygiene, including:

  • washing your hands before touching your eyes or putting in contacts
  • not sharing makeup and replacing makeup supplies every few months
  • trying not to rub your eyes
  • protecting your eyes from dust and pollution

To promote healing and prevent reinfection, it’s best to avoid wearing makeup or contacts while you have a stye.

Chalazia often come back. To lessen the frequency of recurrence, you can follow the same preventive hygiene measures as for hordeola. In addition, it may help to:

  • wash your face every evening, including removing all makeup before bed
  • scrub the eyelid area regularly with baby shampoo

Treatment for styes and chalazia is similar, focusing on eye hygiene, warm compresses, and eyelid massage. However, the conditions have different causes and symptoms.

Identifying whether you have a hordeolum or a chalazion can help a doctor determine which medical treatments, such as antibiotics or surgical drainage, may be an option if home treatment doesn’t work.