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Stye & eyelid bump treatment in Bellflower
Styes and chalazia are common, usually harmless, and very treatable. The right care helps them heal faster and keeps them from coming back.
Stye or chalazion?
A stye is a painful, red bump at the edge of the eyelid, usually caused by a blocked, infected oil gland or eyelash follicle. A chalazion is a firmer, usually painless lump further back on the lid, caused by a blocked oil gland without active infection.
Both often improve with warm compresses. If a bump lingers, keeps coming back or affects your vision, we can examine it and recommend the next step.
Seen by Dr. Mai in Bellflower
Most symptom visits are billed to medical insurance, including Medicare and Medi-Cal plans. Call early in the day for the best chance at a same-day visit.
What can cause styes & eyelid bumps?
Most causes are very treatable. A proper eye exam tells you which one you’re dealing with.
Blocked oil glands
Thick oils clog glands along the eyelid margin.
Blepharitis
Ongoing eyelid inflammation makes styes more likely.
Contact lens & makeup hygiene
Old makeup and unwashed hands can introduce bacteria.
Skin conditions
Rosacea and oily skin are linked to recurring styes.
When should you see an eye doctor?
Book an eye exam if…
- A bump hasn’t improved after about a week of warm compresses
- Styes keep coming back
- The bump is large or pressing on your eye
- Your eyelid is crusty, flaky or inflamed
- Your child has a bump that won’t go away
Get emergency care if…
- Redness and swelling spreading across the eyelid or face
- Fever with a swollen eyelid
- Vision changes or pain moving the eye
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If we’re open and it isn’t life-threatening, call us right away at (562) 867-4716.
How we find the cause and treat it
Your visit is with Dr. Loi Thanh Mai. Our team speaks English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Exam
We check the bump, eyelid margins and tear film.
Diagnosis
Stye, chalazion, blepharitis, or something that needs a closer look.
Treatment
Warm compress plan, lid hygiene, and prescription medicine if infected.
Prevention
Daily lid care to help stop styes from coming back.
Simple steps that may help
These tips can ease mild symptoms, but they don’t replace an eye exam, especially if symptoms are new, getting worse, or affect your vision.
- Apply a warm compress for 10–15 minutes, 3–4 times a day
- Gently massage the eyelid after the compress
- Don’t squeeze or pop the bump
- Skip eye makeup and contact lenses until it heals
- Keep eyelids clean with a gentle lid cleanser
Styes & Eyelid Bumps: common questions
Have a question about your symptoms? Call (562) 867-4716.
How long does a stye last?
Most styes improve within about a week with warm compresses. A chalazion can take several weeks.
Can I pop a stye?
No. Squeezing can spread infection and make it worse. Warm compresses help it drain on its own.
Are styes contagious?
Styes aren’t typically spread like pink eye, but wash hands and avoid sharing towels or makeup.
Why do I keep getting styes?
Recurring styes are often linked to blepharitis or oil gland problems. A daily lid care routine can help prevent them.