Chalazion
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Effective Natural Remedies for Chalazion

| Modified on Oct 24, 2024
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Essential Oil Remedy on Earth Clinic.

If you have ever had a chalazion cyst, we are sure you will agree that they are gross, for lack of a better term. If you are one of the few who regularly develop cysts or styes, there are a few natural remedies that should help you get rid of this issue for good (hopefully).

If you are trying to eliminate a chalazion, try warm compresses, guava or acacia leaves, or castor oil.

What Is a Chalazion?

Your eye is considered a mucus membrane, which means that not only does it stay moist, but it also regularly collects dust and bacteria. While most of the time, your eye “self-cleanses” to eliminate the debris it collects, sometimes it is unable to altogether remove toxic material and develops an infection. One of the most common forms of infection in your eye is a chalazion or bacterial infection located in the oil glands situated just behind your eyelashes. (1)

Depending on the development stage of your chalazion, you may experience few to no symptoms or more pervasive symptomology. Generally, chalazia (the term used for more than one chalazion) develop in a series of steps beginning with slight eyelid pain or twinges. Following this initial pain, your eyelid will often swell and form additional discharge.

The condition then typically progresses to the characteristic “bump” on your eye. Then when you aren’t looking, the bump will disappear. Chalazia are relatively similar to styes except that chalazia are typically larger and may not hurt. (2)

Top Natural Remedies for Chalazion

When it comes to treating a chalazion, prevention is generally your best friend. If you begin feeling twinges or pain in your eyelid, you should start hot compresses as soon as possible to prevent the condition. If a bump appears, though, you do have a few treatment options.

1. Warm Compresses

According to research (and personal experience), it is best to use warm, not hot compresses. The compress helps to soften the oil that is lodged in the gland and expedites the removal of bacteria. You should place a warm, damp washcloth over your closed eye for at least five minutes four times a day.

2. Guava Leaves

Guava leaves contain anti-inflammatory compounds that help treat the swelling and pain that are common of chalazia. You can use this remedy in conjunction with a warm compress by merely placing the leaf on the affected eye and then covering both with a warm damp cloth.

3. Acacia Leaves

Acacia leaves help relieve inflammation and eliminate the infection. For the most effective benefits, boil a handful of the leaves in water and then drain them. Use the moist leaves as a compress on your eyelid.

4. Demodex Mite Elimination

Two Earth Clinic readers have suggested a connection between chalazion and Demodex mites. One reader suggested Ivermectin as a succesful treatment option. Another reader suggested two essential oils, lavender and tea tree oil mixed in vaseline, and applied to the eyelash line twice a day.

Please keep reading below for many more natural remedies for chalazion from our readers below and let us know what you tried!

Related Links:

10 Natural Stye Treatments for Fast Relief
Effective Mite Infestation Treatment: Top Natural Remedies
Ted's Borax & Peroxide Mange Treatment for Dogs

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Activated Charcoal

2 User Reviews
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Posted by Bruci (Huntington, Wv) on 12/30/2016
 ★★★★★

I've had a few chalazion in my right eye for quite some time now, over a year. I've tried everything; apple cider vinegar, epsom salt, hot compresses, steam facials, etc. One day, I found a post (on here, actually) about activated charcoal. I've heard a lot of great things about its benefits, so I decided to try it. I mixed about 3 tablespoons of activated charcoal, 2 tablespoons of flaxseed (ground), and added about a half cup of water. I let the mixture sit for about 15-20 minutes to thicken. It should have the consistency of a paste. I got a paper towel, put a spoonful of the mixture on it, folded it over to enclose the mixture, and placed it over my eye. I also put a sandwich bag over the towel to prevent the mixture from drying, and wrapped gauze around my head to keep it in place. I slept about 7 hours with it on my eye, and when I woke up, I noticed my bottom eyelid got bigger, and when I pulled down my eyelid, I noticed whitehead-like spots. I decided to continue the treatment, and I've been doing it for 2 days now. So far, a few of the chalazion (chalazia?) have popped on their own. I'm going to keep doing this every night before bed & hope they're all gone within the next few days.

By the way, I found all needed items on Amazon. Activated Charcoal powder, ground flaxseed. IMPORTANT: Do not mix activated Charcoal with anything metal. The Charcoal will pull the the impurities from the metal.

Replied by Aishwarya
(New Jersey)
04/28/2017

Hi there, how was the progress on this? When you say popped on their own, did you see them drain out themselves in the morning?

Activated Charcoal
Posted by Mary (Wisconsin) on 07/29/2014
 ★★★★★

To treat a chalazion, I opened up an activated charcoal capsule, mixed with hot water, put on bump left for 30 seconds or so, washed off with baby shampoo and hot cloth. Noticed a big difference immediately. I thought to do this because it works with my white head zits, so thought to give it a try. After a few days, the bump was almost entirely gone. Someone else on this page mentioned a charcoal poultice too. Charcoal is known to absorb toxins, 5 times its own weight.

Replied by Shriram Kakade
(Ahmedabad, Gujarat)
08/19/2014

Hi, thanks for the site, I have a chalazion for 4 months now, it started small but steadly growing. eye drop given by doctor is milflox PLUS(0.4) How much time will take to cure?

Replied by Saiqa
(Uk)
10/05/2014

Hi I was wondering where I could buy this activated charcoal from? I've had my chalazion for about 8 months and it doesn't seem to be going.

Replied by Krystal
(Modesto)
10/07/2015

You can get the charcoal pills from any drug store like walmart, walgreens, riteaid or cvs. Ask for some help finding them.

Replied by Ruby
(Houston, Texas)
07/13/2016

How many times a day do you apply the charcoal/ water mix onto your chalazion?

Replied by Pris
(Tx)
11/11/2022

How much water did you mix with the capsule?

Allergy Drops

Posted by Julie (Kiel, Wisconsin) on 02/19/2012

My daughter who is five years old has had a chalazion for a couple of years. I did all that I read to do; used warm compresses and washed eye out, etc, but did not seem to help. I bought over the counter natural allergy drops for the eyes and it is clearing up very nicely!

Replied by Antonio
(Vega Alta, Pr)
03/20/2012

My 5yr old has had it for almost 1yr doing compresses and johnsons baby shampoo and flax oil but no difference yet. What drops did you use exactly?

Replied by One Year And Standing
(D.c., D.c. Usa)
06/10/2012

Did she ever reply back to you? What specific drops? Why did she not think to state the specific drops?

Replied by Michel
(Hillsboro, Oregon)
07/14/2012

Go to a rite aid or a similar type of store and ask for eye drops to get rid of styes- they're similar and thats what I got. U cant find a eye drop that say chalazion on it probably cuz most people dont know what it is.

Replied by Miyanda
(Livingstone, Southern Province)
09/28/2012

Hi, thanks for the site, I have a chalazion for 3 months now, it started small but steadly growing and am afraid it could grow bigger, my request is a specific name of drops that can help in case we don't have it in Zambia, I can try elsewhere. Thank you.

Replied by Asma
(Pakistan)
01/07/2014

I am from Pakistan. My daughter is having chalazion in both eyes, and in spite of doing all measures and antibiotics no change is found, please, Julie can you tell me more about the allergy drops specially the generic name of the medicine. I will be thankful to you......Jaweria

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee, Usa)
01/07/2014

Dear Jaweria,

I am not Julie and she has not seemed to be back to Earth Clinic for some time. I do not know the name of the drops.

I do know a couple of things that you could try. Activated charcoal has been used before to help this condition.

http://www.charcoalremedies.com/chalazion

Here is how to make a charcoal poultice, about half way down the page:

https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/charcoal2.html#poultice

You can also try chamomile tea bags. Pour hot water over tea bags to moisten. When cooled to a comfortable temperature, apply to each eye for 5-10 minutes 2-4 times a day.

Let us know how it goes!

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Jennifer
(Texas)
03/10/2014

I had a chalazion a couple years ago. I never had one before and I went to my doctor 2 times and 2 different specialist. The first time I went to the doctor, I was told that I had a stye. The doctor told me that it would go away on its own, but prescribed some antibiotics and told me to take it until the bottle was empty. Of course any doctor will say to keep a warm compress on the eye. I put a warm compress on the eye constantly during this time frame and my eye would look like it was going down, but the next morning it looked swollen again and my eyelashes would be sealed shut. I went back to the doctor and we decided to lance the chalazion. The doctor flipped my eyelid and gave me a shot to numb the eyelid, but it didn't work. I felt the entire procedure. I had to wear an eye patch for a day. When I took the patch off, my eye was still swolen. It eventually went down and then I got a chalazion in my other eye.

I decided to go to my optometrist next. The doctor told me that the stye would go away on its own with warm compresses. I told him that I had been using the compresses and it didn't seem like it was working, not to mention that I hated getting up every few minutes to warm the compress so that I could keep holding it on my eye. The doctor prescribed me some eye drops. I used the drops, but this did not work.

I went to a specialist and he reiterated what the other doctors said, but he gave some good information. He told me that I didn't have a stye, but a chalazion. He told me that we could remove my glands, but my chalazion wasn't big and this was the first time I had it so he said that would be extreme. This doctor gave me a prescription for a different antibiotic. I took those pills until I came across a post about apple cider vinegar. I didn't dilute mine. I used a little ACV on a cotton ball and just swiped my eyelid a couple times a day. This burns a little bit, but it's not bad. Within a few days, the chalazion was gone. I haven't had any more problems and I wish I would have tried this to begin with. Although I have insurance, I still paid nearly $300 for 4 doctor visits and 4 prescriptions, not to mention going through a painful procedure where I felt everything. The ACV works!

Replied by Teeg
(La)
03/10/2014

My eyedoctor told me to wash my eyelids with baby shampoo every so often--I haven't had a stye or chalazion since.

Replied by Mike
(California)
02/17/2017

Are you sure it wasn't just the prescription he gave you?

Replied by Anne
(Canada)
11/23/2017

Hi, I just wanted to clarify for people regarding warm compresses. They are actually made by taking some rice (or oats) and placing them in a clean cotton sock or enclosing in clean cotton material. Place that in the microwave for 1 & 1/2 to 2 minutes. This type of warm compress holds the heat and a little moisture. These should be applied to the eye for 10-15 minutes at a time.

Warming up a washcloth every few minutes doesn't work the same way as doing this. Before we had microwaves, people used hot water bottles to apply warm compresses.

Replied by Renee
(NC)
07/16/2022

There seems to be some confusion on which eye drops to use. My husband just saw an eye doctor about a chalazion. The key to selecting the right eye drop is to get one specifically for allergies. The doctor gave us samples of a prescription allergy eye drop called Alrex. I just searched online and quickly found two over-the-counter natural allergy eye drops: Similasan Allergy Eye Relief and Opcon-A Allergy Eye Drops by Bausch & Lomb.

Also, be aware of that if you've already been using a prescription antibiotic eye ointment, there's a good chance you've developed an allergy to it and you need to stop using it and get an allergy-relief eye drop. (This was my husband's case.)

I also love the activated charcoal suggestion. I have inexpensive capsules that can be opened up and used with distilled water to form a poultice.

One last thing, regarding the suggestions for using various oils, I develop styes any time oils get near my eyes, including castor oil, flaxseed oil, etc., so oils may not be good for all of us.

Apple Cider Vinegar

27 User Reviews
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Posted by Darlene (Bozeman MT USA) on 02/13/2024
 ★★★★★

Just want to share my continuing success with using a cotton ball lightly soaked with apple cider vinegar (with “the mother”) to cure my upper eyelid chalazion: held directly onto the closed eyelid for about 10 minutes 2x a day. Nothing else seemed to be working but in only 3 days my chalazion is softening and diminishing with the acv.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by bpang (Fairfax, VA) on 04/17/2022

I have a massive chalazion that's been there (on the upper eyelid) for 3 months. I've tried everything (heat, massages, ACV) nothing seems to be working! It is higher up at a distance from my lash line and seems to be growing from within the eyelid-is that why the ACV application isn't working?

I tried ACV for 5 days- it just burnt my eyelid and created 2 huge red marks on my eyelid. Haven't noticed any drainage yet.

Any advice or at home remedies would be greatly appreciated!

Replied by susan
(New York)
04/18/2022

What worked for me:

Tea Tree oil IN STEAM ONLY:

Heat up water on stove, when it begins to steam put a comfortable amount 5 ish drops of tea tree oil in the water, Put towel over your head, CLOSE YOUR EYES and lean into the steam so fumes permeate around eye. When smell dissipates, add a few more drops and repeat.

Mine was a sty I had for over a month and this cleared it in 2 days.

Replied by Jay
(Canada)
04/18/2022

Regarding the chalazion that's been there (on the upper eyelid) for 3 months:

I have found that a Tea Tree Antiseptic Cream or Tea Tree Oil Ointment works best for this problem. These both have a very low percentage of actual Tea Tree Oil, so they are both safe to use around the eyes. The problem is usually cleared up within 2 or 3 days with multiple daily applications of the treatment.

bpang
(fairfax, VA)
04/21/2022

Thanks for your suggestion, Jay! Could you let me know how many times do you apply TTO ointment? Also, did you apply it directly on the chalazion or on the lashline/eyelid margin?

Replied by Peggy
(Oregon)
04/18/2022

It's not exactly the same, but when I had a sty, I used coconut oil and colloidal silver. Twice a day, morning and night before bed I washed my face, and got a clean cloth really hot under the water and used it as a compress, three times for about a minute or until it's cooled down a lot. Then I got a pea sized dab of coconut oil and rubbed it over my eye and let it penetrate inside too (makes your eye blurry for a minute or so, no worries), then I put a drop of silver inside my eye. It cleared up the sty and I now do that every few months to keep my eyes healthier and unplugged.

Jay
(Canada)
04/22/2022

Reply to bpang (fairfax, VA):

I applied the TTO ointment to the complete eyelid (actually both eyelids) a couple of times a day (it does not need to be a thick coating- just enough to cover the area) and certainly when going to bed to let it work overnight. I found it might sting slightly as it acted on the infection but that only occurred on the first application and only lasted a few minutes at most and indicated to me that it was indeed attacking the infection. I continue to use the TTO ointment and TT antiseptic cream interchangeably for any eye, ear, nose, and other skin irritation with great results. In all these situations the problem issue is resolved within a day or two.

Hope this helps.

Replied by PB
(NC)
04/23/2022

I have found lots of success using activated charcoal and bentonite clay along with press n seal to keep the poultice on where ever my issue might be. Using either one or both is good for reducing inflammation and pain as well as drawing out the infection.

AC can be bought in capsule form usually at the local drug store. A binder is always needed with it. Bentonite Clay also can be bought in capsule form but might be easier to find online. When ever I use a poultice I try and change it every few hours.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sue (North Carolina) on 04/15/2021
 ★★★★★

During pollen season I seem to get at least one huge chalazion. In years past even though I did the heat and black tea bags, they would just swell and swell and I'd end up taking antibiotics.

This year on day 1, I read on this site about ACV with the mother and did it 4 times a day plus once waking up in the middle of the night to apply it.

Each time I did heat for about 10 minutes (Bruder eye mask is great) followed by 4-5 minutes of a Q-tip dipped in ACV with the mother. The ACV seemed to really take the infection out. It's 3 days later and not gone but is improving well. I"m so relieved and thankful for the other writers who wrote so I'm adding in my experience. Hope it helps you too.

Replied by Sue
(Charlotte, NC)
05/20/2022

Update to my post from last year. It was the first time in about 8 years that I didn't have to get on an antibiotic for this! I do have the beginning of one now (pollen season again) and am hopeful it will

Subside with heat ;Bruder mask with disposable liner) and the ACV with the mother. The reason I'm posting though is that the propensity to get the chalzion is way down since I started an antihistamine (Claritin or store brand) and Zaditor eye drops! It's amazing as from April

On I used to do heat 4 times a day and was constantly in the verge of a chalzion. Now I do heat occasionally and wear glasses and usually a hat when outside, we'll worth it! . I got the chalzion this year because yesterday I was outside without sunglasses and then didn't do hear in the evening even though my eye felt a little iffy.

Hope this is helpful to someone! The Claritin and zaditir were a game changer for me!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jay (Winnipeg, MB) on 06/30/2020
 ★★★★★

Had a HUGE stye that turned into a chalazion and I was going at it hard with the hot compresses (4-5 times a day, at least 15 minutes at a time). This only made it get bigger. One thing to keep in mind is that heat increases sebum (oil) production in hair follicles, including the follicles of lashes. This can cause the follicles near the chalazion to clog up and impede drainage.

There's a good chance my follicles were already clogged by the huge stye my chalazion started out as. The excessive heat didn't help matters. Anyways, I decided to lay off the heat, just applying a compress twice a day, for 10 min at morning and 10 min at night.

I use the eye mask you can put in the microwave—it stays warm and you can easily re-heat. I bought mine from an optometry clinic but you can probably find one on Amazon. Anyways, I reduced compress use to 10 minutes at morning and night, followed by gentle pressure with cu-tip against the chalazion (as well as rolling it down the cyst toward the lash line).

In between doing this, so about 5 times a day, applied Apple cider vinegar with the “mother“ using a cu-tip. Dipped q-tip in vinegar, touched it against Kleenex so it wasn't dripping wet, then rolled q-tip over cyst and massaged gently into cyst, for about a minute. Got as close to the lash line as possible without getting any in my eye.

Chalazion is gradually shrinking (took a few days to notice a difference) and the lash follicles near the chalazion that had been filling with oil are draining as well.

In addition to the vinegar it's probably important to not overdo it with the heat. Too much heat also likely causes some inflammation and swelling which will just keep the silly thing from draining or make it worse. I would suggest at least try going down to warm compress 2-3 times a day, 10 minutes at a time, and use the vinegar.

It is absolutely working for me!!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Asalt (Colorado) on 12/18/2018
 ★★★★★

All those warm compresses, tea bags and massage did nothing for my chalazion. But Apple Cider vinegar made a HUGE difference in 2 days. It's now day 4 after ACV directly on a qtip about 4 times a day and it's almost gone. Thank goodness for this site - I was considering surgery since this little bugger wouldn't respond to anything else, and hearing people's terrible experiences made me try this as a last resort. TOTALLY WORKS! Use organic acv with the mother, I just put a few drops with an eyedropper and hold/wipe for a minute or two and then done!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Soumya Gupta (India) on 09/26/2017
 ★★★★☆

Hi,

I had a chalazion and I had surgery for it. After few months I got another chalazion in the same eye, but I do not want to go for any surgery now. I read about ACV and I started fermenting my eye with it and also drank it once a day. The chalazion has minimized a lot but when I stop using ACV fermentation it pops up again. What should I do to remove it permanently but not surgecally.

Replied by Simone
(London)
04/14/2018

Hi

Thank you for your post. I was just wondering how you are getting on. I had a chalazion the size of a pea last September. It kept growing, so I opted for surgery. It's been nearly six months and my eyelids still a bit swollen. How did it take your eyelid heal after the first surgery? Did it ever go back to normal?

Sorry to disturb you. Look forward to hearing from you.

Regards, Simone

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jasmine (Atl, Georgia) on 02/16/2017
 ★★★★★

I initially tried the Castor Oil treatment for my chalazion and it seemed to be working, however it was very slow. So, I switched over to the apple cidar vinegar and the results were amazing! My eye lid went from swollen like a black eye to a what looked like a pimple on my eye lid. To barely noticeable dark lid in 3 days. I took a q tip swab dipped into the Apple Cidar Vinegar and dadded my right eye lid lightly making sure not to get it in my eye and on top of the swollen bump, 3 times a day. I did not drink any of the vinegar, so I know it works with just direct application. I love Apple Cider Vinegar.

Replied by Michael
(New Zealand)
02/18/2017

To Jasmine,

Now might be a good time to do a follow-up with a heated (but cooled down of course) good quality, Chamomile Tea bag on the affected eye. This nifty trick has given good results to eye problem sufferers in the past. Read more about assistance under the "Eyes" section on this Site.

Good luck with your progress. Eyes are precious!

Michael

Replied by June
(Toronto)
03/29/2017

Hi, I have a chalazion inside my left eyelid... I would like to try the apple cider vinegar..is it a must to buy it "with mother"? Because it's hard to find in Toronto.... Thanks

Replied by Joan
(Toronto)
12/10/2017

I am in Toronto and I buy apple cider vinegar from the health food stores. Here's a couple of options: Healthy Planet, The Big Carrot.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rebecca (A) on 02/01/2017
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

December 2016 I woke to find a sudden pain like my eye was swollen and later that day I went to my optometrist. At that time I was told I had a stye and got drops and told to use hot compresses. Four days later it was a fun blown stye/chalazion!! I was given a steroid shot and a eye patch that is a compress by an ophthalmologist in Florida on vacation. Fast forward a week or two and my dermatologist took a biopsy! That's right! It was drained a bit on my top right lid. Then I had medication and compresses again. It looked BAD. I then on the same day decided an oclioplasric surgeon would be best. I got in on a whim and had 3 injections inside the top lid!!!! Them told to do compresses. 2 months later and and other visit. One more injections was put in and other day I was told in the middle of February if it was not gone prepare for surgery!!!!! I watched videos and knew the surgery might be pretty invasive since I would be put to sleep....

Well Jan 31st I read up and found this site. THANK you everyone before me for your post. I followed suit and bought apple cider vinegar with the "mother". I put it on with a cotton ball for five minutes and had a tablespoon in 8 0z of water. In before bed I did another cotton swab of apple cider vinegar for 5 minutes and then I warm eyepatch.

AMAZING RESULTS in the FIRST few hours. I woke up in the middle of the night and looked in the mirror. I could not believe my I almost look like my other eye. It is been about 2 months and I've been suffering with this inflamed redness with a chalazion bump in the middle. I'm going to keep this up for as long as possible and pray that this means it will be completely gone very soon period 4 on the outside it already looks amazing. Thank you again everyone for your post and I'm so grateful I found this site. But most of all I am grateful that I tried the natural approach using apple cider vinegar. ONLY A FEW HOURS AND SO FAR SO AMAZING!!

I tried to post before and afters. You're only allowed me to pull up one. I have no problem sharing if anyone needs to see my pictures. It looks almost a hundred percent better this morning!


Replied by Maggie
(Gympie)
01/29/2018

I know it's late but if you still have photos I would love to see them. I have had surgery and it came back not even two weeks later. I also have Blepharitis and I'm so self conscious about my chalaxion :( I just don't know what to do anymore..

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Barbara (Aiken, South Carolina) on 12/23/2016 23 posts
 ★★★★★

I have had success with ACV and warm compresses for chalazion. (I began using castor oil but had no success.) At first I diluted the ACV with water because some on this site said that the ACV would burn, but I had no success until I used the ACV full strength. I would apply the ACV with a cotton swab/Q-tip, being careful to not let it drip into my eye. I would apply it several times a day, always with a clean cotton swab. I also used warm compresses five or six times, each morning. Eventually, I stopped using the ACV and applied warm compresses occasionally. I began using full strength ACV about four to five weeks ago. The chalazion is almost gone.

I was also drinking ACV in a glass of water each day, so I do not know if that may have been a factor as well.

Replied by Aishwarya
(New Jersey)
04/26/2017

Hey I just wanted to know your progress. I started using ACV on my chalazion for a good week or two and although initially I saw some improvement, I haven't seen much after that and it feels like the swelling in the morning has grown. This makes me not want to continue with it. Did you have a similar experience? I see that you took it for a few weeks, did you see a steady improvement?

Replied by Barbara
(Aiken, South Carolina)
04/27/2017
23 posts

The improvement was gradual and steady, but I was using warm compresses (hot tap water on a washcloth) as well as the ACV described above. My chalazion has been gone for some time now. If I touch the outside area of my eyelid, sometimes I think I can feel a very, very tiny bump, the size of a pinhead perhaps, but it has never swelled again. I would not hesitate to use the ACV full strength and warm compresses again. I would like to add, that it is my chalazion was caused by using old mascara, the kind in a tube with a brush. I knew better than to use old mascara as bacteria will build up in it.

Replied by Aishwarya
(New Jersey)
04/28/2017

Thanks for the reply! How long did you have the chalazion before you started this method? I have had for quite some time now, over a year, despite doc visits, antibiotics, etc. I am going to continue with ACV for a couple of more weeks, hopefully I see some results!

Replied by Barbara
(Aiken, South Carolina)
04/29/2017
23 posts

My chalazion was about a week old when I knew my eye was a problem on November 7,2016. I remember because I visited a friend that day and it was embarrassing. It was under my left top eyelid near the corner like Rebecca's above photo. I had swelling and redness, but never any pain. I came to this site for information and tried castor oil for about a week with no success. It was about another week after trying the ACV that I went full strength ACV, so by early December I saw improvement and then posted my success on December 22 or 23. Don't forget the hot compresses. I believe they were equally important. I did hot tap water on a wash cloth five or six times every morning. My results were not as quick as Rebecca's, but there was gradual improvement. I would give yourself a month of ACV and compresses. If it's not showing improvement, I would increase the number of times you apply the ACV during the day. I have no way of knowing, but I think that the ACV killed the bacteria? (So many people who posted on here about chalazions have had surgery and antibiotics with no results. I'm afraid of doctors anyway.)

Replied by Christina
(Westchester, Ny)
02/13/2018
★★★★★

I have had a small chalazion on my upper right eyelid for almost 4 months. It formed after a stye I had there did not drain properly. I recently made an appointment to have it surgically removed. While searching the Internet for more info on the surgical procedure I will be undergoing, I came across your website and thought I'd give some of these natural remedies a try while waiting for surgery . Last night and this morning I dabbed/massaged a qtip saturated with " straight" Apple Cider Vinegar with " the mother" --not diluted with water. Then with a fresh q tip I massaged some coconut oil on the site to soothe it and further address the inflammation of the chalazion. I left the coconut oil on for about 15 minutes then wiped off with a warm to hot damp wash cloth. Then I used a hot compress for about 5 minutes on the area pressing down where the chalazion is. I truly cannot believe it! The chalazion has shrunk dramatically!! I can barely see or feel it. This is just after two treatments. I am going to continue doing this three times a day. I'm hoping to cancel surgery if this great result continues. Thank you so much for your website!

Replied by Azimah
(Goodlands)
08/30/2020

Should I rinse the Apple Cider Vinegar or wipe it after some time?

Replied by Missm
(New York)
09/01/2020

ACV will stop the itch a bit. Chalazions often come with a demodex mite problem.

Look for posts under demodex eye mites.

Use a heat pack, it will break up the hardened area. Use this multiple times a day. It does work, ask me how I know :)

To treat the mites which cause the inflammation, you will need to use diluted tea tree oil and lavender at eyelash base for about 6 weeks.

You need to change your bed linens, especially your pillow, several times a week. Wash in borax and dry high heat to kill mites.

You do not want to use any oils for dilution of teatree oil and lavender except for MCT or fracionated coconut oil. Eye mites feast on face oils and applied oils! You must keep your face very clean - use only aloe as moisturizer!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Janc1955 (Las Vegas, Nv) on 12/17/2016
 ★★★★★

I wanted to post to give a thumbs up for apple cider vinegar with the "mother" to treat chalazia. My first chalazion was on my right upper lid and was there for the better part of a year. I halfheartedly tried a variety of home remedies to get rid of it when it first cropped up, but since it wasn't all that visible and I work from home so have no need to get dolled up very often, I ultimately gave up and just left it alone. One morning it was just not there anymore, which I was very happy about.

A few months later, however, another chalazion appeared, this time on the lower lid of my left eye. This one was quite visible, and not in a good way. I tried the warm compresses, etc., but nothing was happening, so I made an appt with an ophthalmologist to get confirmation it was a chalazion and to see what he suggested. He suggested warm compresses using a hard-boiled egg wrapped in a damp facecloth. The egg sort of fits nicely into the eye socket and maybe touches more of the eye or something. I made a follow-up appt for 2 wks later, and went home to start the egg compresses. Meanwhile, the doc was going to get an authorization from my insurance to lance the thing if I had no luck with the egg.

So I did the egg compress quite diligently 3-6 times a day - so diligently that I created a little burn on my face below the chalazion. Sigh. I wasn't seeing much progress, so as my follow-up appt got closer and I knew I'd be getting the thing lanced, I decided as a last resort to try apple cider vinegar on the inside of my eyelid, knowing it would burn (I've gotten ACV in my eye before by mistake), but figuring it wouldn't be any worse than a needle.

So for a few days, before I did the egg compress, I poured a tiny bit of ACV in the bottle cap and dipped a Q-tip in it, then pulled my lower lid away from my eyeball, and dabbed the Q-tip with the ACV on the inside of the lid, then waited for the burning to subside. Then I did it again if I felt brave. I also swiped the Q-tip over the bump as well. Then I'd do the warm egg compress for several minutes, and roll the egg over the chalazion in sort of a massaging motion.

A couple days of that routine, and my left eye started producing yellow gunk, which I assumed was the oil finally being released from the chalazion, and the bump started to shrink. It's not all the way gone yet, but I feel good enough about the progress I'm making that I'm going to cancel my follow-up appt and continue the ACV and egg compresses until the chalazion is completely flat.

I'm hoping the skin over the chalazion will return to it's normal color and texture at some point, because right now it's rather discolored and puffy. (And not in a good way! )

Replied by Alyssiana
(West Warwick, Rhode Island)
04/24/2018

You put the apple cider vinegar on the inside of the lid, not just on top?

Replied by Janice
(Durham, NC)
05/15/2018

I've had cataract surgery September 2017. Can I use organic apple cider vinegar on a chalazion inside my lower eyelid?

Replied by Sheetal
(Haryana)
11/21/2021

Did u put apple cider vinegar inside the eye? I have a painful chalazion inside the eyelid very close to the nose. I am so terrified. Please help.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tejak (Ljubljana, Slovenia) on 09/22/2016
 ★★★★★

Hi!

I usually don't post things on the internet, however this site saved me from my quite big chalazion on my upper eyelid. I had it for about two months and my husband insisted I get it operated, I made my doctors appointment, and because it was three weeks away I wanted to try some home remedies to avoid the operation. I started with warm compresses, then read posts on this site and included ACV...little in a cup with warm water and on the eyelid with a cotton-ball and made sure just a little got in my eye, but very little, cause it hurts! First nothing, my skin on the eyelid just got burned, and got swollen pretty bed...so I said this doesn't work and stopped the compressing and just put in a few drops of physiological solution every few hours. Two days later I was sleeping and as I woke up, I could hardly open my eye. I rushed into the bathroom and see that my chalazion was finally unblocked...so I continued compressing, ACV and phys. solution...it has not been a full week and it is almost gone completely, and it was really big. So I gladly cancelled my doctors appointment. So I don't know exactly what really made my chalazion disappear, maybe a combination of the three "remedies", but it got better really fast when I started with ACV, and I was not really constant with it, maybe one or two times a day for about ten minutes, I also put some ACV directly on the chalazion with a q-tip.

Don't over do it, because it will burn your skin.

So this is my story and I hope it will help somebody else, but just a warning, when you attack your chalazion stay home, because when it prepares to open up, you look like somebody punched you in the eye...at least me, my eyelid was really swollen and red...so it was a good thing I didn't plan any outings ;)

Good luck!

Replied by Q
(Houston)
10/17/2016

Just wondering but did you apply the ACV on the outside of the eyelid or the inside? When you apply the ACV, do you wash it off after a certain time? leave it on?

Replied by Brandon
(Fresno)
02/22/2018

Did the skin where the chalazion was clear up? Did redness fade?

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jack (Usa) on 04/15/2016
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My story.

My eye was bothering me back in January and I did not know why. I never pulled my eyelid back to have a look until maybe 3-4 weeks in. That is when I saw it. It was about the size of a lentil at the time and I figured it would just go away on its own. It did not go away. So I started applying warm compresses once in a while but was lazy and did not do it often. Two weeks ago a few days before a trip to the UK it got bigger to about the size of pea and I started to worry. I looked around on the internet and found out what it was called and what caused it. Sadly, I also stumbled upon a youtube video of Chalazion surgery that freaked me out. I started using the warm compresses religiously with no effect.

While in the UK I did more research and happened upon this excellent site. Sadly, I could not find ACV with mother in the small town I was in and so I just used the filtered stuff. I honestly don't think it had much of an effect. I returned back to the states last Sunday and went straight to the health food store to buy ACV with the "mother". I also saw other remedies and my plan was to attack this little bugger from multiple angles

This was my strategy:

I drank 1 TBSP ACV diluted in 6-8 oz water each morning and evening

I heated a 1-1 ratio of ACV in the microwave (45-60 s) or used a hot kettle to mix with AVC. I also either used the hot kettle to heat a rag or wet a rag placed in coffee mug and also heated that in microwave. Just get them hot.

I dipped a cotton round in the mixture, gently closed my eye and rubbed across it 3 or 4 times to “clean it”. Then I dunked another one, placed over my eye and use the rag as a warm compress on top of it. I did this 3-4 times a day with the last one around 8p. I also used a clean cotton round to do the other eye just in case.

Before bed time I open an activated charcoal capsule and mixed with warm water to make a paste. I used a Q-tip to place the mixture on the Chalazion on the OUTSIDE of my eye and left it there for 30 minutes or so. I washed this off with baby shampoo. Hard to get off so be careful not to get in your eye. Then I applied castor oil to the Chalazion on the OUTSIDE of eye using a Q-tip. I put it on fairly thick and left it there to dry out overnight. Lady at drugstore must have thought I had some issues as charcoal and castor oil are often used for gastro problems. Next morning start again.

After just a day or so the swelling on the outside started to go down but I did not notice any change in size of the Chalazion itself

Thursday (only 4 days later) while in the airport working on my laptop my vision in that eye started to get blurry. Went to the mirror in he bathroom and saw white gunk in my eye and could see the Chalazion had a small head on it that was leaking. Gross, yes. But a relief that the method was working. I tried squeezing it softly but did not want to do it too much so I left it alone and throughout the flight I would dab eye occasionally with a clean cotton round (new one each time). Little by little more gunk was coming out.

The Chalazion is not gone yet but it is more than half the size it was and looks flatter than before. I am not giving up on the process as I want to make sure this completely goes away.

My takeaways that I hope helps other in the same boat I was in.

Be persistent and don't miss treatments.

Use as hot a compress and ACV mixture as you can stand. You don't want to burn your skin.

Try multiple remedies.

I was not a fan of putting ACV directly on the Chalazion with a Q-tip but when I wiped my eye or used the compress some ultimately made it in.

I think the ACV with mother is really necessary as I used the filtered version for 5 or 6 days with no effect.

Good luck

Replied by Carolina
(Fl)
09/07/2016

How long did you leave the compress on your eye for?? I just did with a cotton pad, without the rag, for 5 min and when I go to look in the mirror the whole area that was touched by the cotton pad is red. It doesn't hurt or anything, but I was wondering if this was normal. Thank you


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