When a child has a red bump on or along their eyelid, it is usually either a stye or chalazion. Those are two different conditions, but both are common inflammations in children that are rarely serious. A stye is usually caused by a bacterial infection and results in a painful red lump that grows near the eyelash base or under the eyelid. A chalazion, the most common type of eyelid bump, is caused by a blocked gland and is usually further back on the eyelid. They are usually not painful. Both conditions tend to heal on their own and can be treated with warm compresses.
A stye may be caused by an infection in the hair follicle or in an oil-producing gland in the eyelid. Chalazia typically happen when an oil gland near the eyelid is blocked.
Your child's eyelid may suddenly appear red, tender, or swollen. The eye may feel hot or itchy. There may be crusting or tearing. A chalazion may start as a hard cyst under the skin. If it gets large, it may press on the eye and cause blurry vision. Inflammation and swelling may spread to the area around the eye. It could take several weeks to heal.
Your doctor will review the symptoms and medical history. Doctors diagnose these problems by closely examining the eyelid. An external hordeolum may be diagnosed if a stye begins at the base of the eyelash. An internal hordeolum is a stye inside the eyelid. Most are caused by an infection in an oil-producing in your eyelid. If there is a hard lump inside the eyelid, the doctor will probably diagnose it as a chalazion.
Usually, treatment is not required. A warm compress and over-the-counter eyedrops can be used to help relieve symptoms and pain. The compress, applied several times a day for a few minutes, may even help the bump heal faster. Do not squeeze or try to pop these bumps. In some cases, the eye doctor may recommend antibiotic eye drops or an oral antibiotic. Once a child gets a stye, they are more likely to experience reoccurrences.
The Cizik Eye Clinic opened in 2007 and is housed in Memorial Hermann Plaza at 6400 Fannin Street. It includes dozens of exam areas, multiple operating rooms, and laser suites equipped with the most sophisticated equipment available for patient care.
People travel from across the country and the world for treatment at the Cizik Eye Clinic, in part because our affiliation with the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth provides unmatched resources and expertise. Our friendly staff works diligently to make your visit pleasant and efficient, as we maximize patient flow through everything from routine eye exams to the most advanced eye surgeries.
Our physicians are faculty members at McGovern Medical School and are board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology or are board eligible. At the Cizik Eye Clinic, we understand that the eye is a small part of a whole patient who deserves top-notch, comprehensive care in a cutting-edge facility.
At Robert Cizik Eye Clinic, we offer patients access to highly specialized eye and vision care. To ask us a question, schedule an appointment, or learn more about us, please call (713) 486-9400, or click below to send us a message. In the event of an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room.