02/19/2012: Julie from Kiel, Wisconsin: "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! "

03/20/2012: Antonio from Vega Alta, Pr replies: "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?"

06/10/2012: One Year And Standing from D.c., D.c. Usa replies: "Did she ever reply back to you? What specific drops? Why did she not think to state the specific drops?"

07/14/2012: Michel from Hillsboro, Oregon replies: "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."

09/28/2012: Miyanda from Livingstone, Southern Province replies: "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."

04/11/2013: Leona from London, England: "i'm from london and this is the fourth chalazion I have had. First, I was supposed to have it operated but it just came back on the other eye, I tryed gold and compresses, it worked, but now it doesnt work. How long does it take to go away with the apple cider vinegar?"

06/19/2012: Sheila from San Diego, Ca replies: "Update on my chalazion situation: I believe my main problem is acidosis. I just had a bout of pink eye, only recovering now, and consuming more alkalizing foods has made a significant difference in my visible health.

When I had a breakout of eczema last year, I can probably attribute it to pH imbalance, over doing on the alkalizing though."

[YEA]  08/17/2012: Jennifer from Arlington, Tx replies: "I went to 3 different doctors or 4 occasions for chalazions. This happened over a 2 month time span. I never had one before. I had the first one lanced, then a week later, I got another one in my other eye. I kept a warm compress on it as I had done before, as well as using an eye wash and eyelid wash pads. The second one went away, then I got another one in the other eye again. I spend hundreds of dollars to see specialist and purchase prescription medication. Nothing worked until I added the apple cider vinegar to my daily regimen. I was disappointed that I spent so much money going to the doctor, when all it took was apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball. I'm just grateful it worked and I haven't had an issue since then."

08/22/2012: Daisy from El Paso, Tx replies: "How long did it take for you to notice the chalazion shrinking?"

09/20/2012: Kamilicica from San Francisco, California replies: "How long did it take to notice your chalazion was shrinking from the ACV?"

09/28/2012: Miyanda from Livingstone, Southern Province replies: "This sounds interesting, I have one chalazion on my top left eye and havent yet visited any doctor, how ever, I will try the ACV as well, thank you and God bless."

10/17/2012: Steven from New York, Ny replies: "After swiping your eyelids with the cotton ball, do you rinse your eyelids right afterwards while your eyes are still closed?"

11/02/2012: Pax from Houston, Tx replies: "I had mine in June 2012. Now, I am free."

11/30/2012: Help from A-town, Pa replies: "Exactly what kind of ACV did you use... Im 16 and im like crying everyday because I have one on my upper right eyelid... I hate it I had it for probably 3-4 months... :C help"

[YEA]  03/14/2013: Sammy from Kuwait replies: "Hi everyone, I was fed up from getting continuous chalazions not until I took your regimen and tried it. I must say that I have spent around 1500 dollars removing them surjically. But I tried the vinegar part and oh my God it is disappeariing day by day.

However, I soak an ear pad the one you clean your ear with and apply it directly to the chalazion. It stings for a while but after that it sort of pulls the pus in the chalazion and allows it to float on top of it forming a head. From here the chalazion oozes and become smaller and smaller each day. I apply Garlic Vinigar on it not apple cider. Anyhow I think any form of vinigar will work.

Thanks so much for this as my chalazion is disappearing thanks to you ;)

Sammy from Kuwait"

[YEA]  11/14/2012: Relief from West Coast, Ca: "Son is 14 and has had 2 chalazions: at 7 months old baby dr exam, dr said she 'just came from a seminar that taught a terrific new infant massage therapy' and pressed her knuckle hard into my son's left eye socket saying she was massaging the bone?! I grabbed him and left. Next day his eyelid center had half-inch ball-shaped chalazion. Crying painful, pushing into eyeball, couldn't open lid or blink. 3 days later, it seemed larger. Different dr referred us to eye dr who matter of factly told me he'd be glad to lance it but baby would lose his eye as dr never used eye shield or guard and baby still would have a good eye. Instead, I took baby home, put gentle moist warm wet baby washcloth on eyelid to cleanse mucus and watering.

Called my mom (72 yrs old). She told me put a dab breastmilk or room temp regular whole milk on chalazion. Within an hour, swelling reduced. I reapplied again, then a very slightest dab aloe liquid from my garden plant. Next day, chalazion was half size. In 2 days more it was gone forever, no scar. At 14 he had an identical chalazion lump grow to cover entire backside of one earlobe. Since no pain we didn't pick, pierce, lance. After 1 month, it was about same size, but tender. We applied gentle wet warm washcloth to soothe and soften. It showed reducing next day after slight dab hydrogen peroxide, milk and aloe. Next day we dabbed milk, aloe, olive oil and kept it clean, dry. It is almost gone in a few days. Seemed these last 3 did most help. Thank you forever mom. Love this site. Thank you."

[YEA]  02/28/2013: Franky from Beirut, Lebanon: "Castor oil really works for a chalazion. It's better than any treatment. Just keep applying it topically on the bump everyday. It can take from 2 weeks to 6 months depending on your immunity. But it will surely go. Take 2 day breaks when using for more than 2 months. You can help your immunity by staying off wheat sugar and junk or fried food. Castor oil really really works. Please help spread the word to the people here because I dont have much time."

03/19/2013: Ajj from Toronto, On replies: "Do you rub it on the outside of your eyelid? Or in the inside?"

[YEA]  02/24/2010: Jack from Scranton, Pa: "Fish Liver Oil or Cod Oil with Vitamin A and D

Been suffering from recurring and embarrassing Chalazions for many years, having useless surgery where they completely missed the Chalazion altogether or it came back in the same spot weeks later... Surgery doesn't unclog the problem, which is a blocked meibomian gland. You can even see them if you look closely on your eyelid, separate from the eyelashes on the moist edge of your eyelids, you see many tiny hole openings. Some will be filled with fatty white blockage.

Within 60 days my Chalazions were gone for good after researching Vitamin A and D from Fish Liver oil. Being deficient in both, I took two softgels per day for sixty days and by the sixtieth day, the Chalazions were gone completely, though it is a gradual process that requires patience for those who want instant results from the awkward eye bumps. Warm compresses never helped me unfortunately, as the doctor suggested. Hope this helps. If you try it, be consistent and don't overtake vitamins per day.

This is available at most stores that have vitamins. Now I take one per day and it's been over two years and no Chalazions have recurred since. It really worked.

Keep in mind, there is no instant solution other than surgery, which leaves a big black and blue mark, swollen eyelid for a week, and the glands are still blocked, so it came back in the same spot weeks later... The doctor didn't even mention that vitamin A or fish oil could solve it. I think he either didn't know, or rather have more business when there's more problems."

11/26/2011: Tony from Santa Barbara, California replies: "Jack, will regular fish oil pills work? Or does it have to be fish liver oil? Or cod oil? And what does the vitamin A anf D do to help? Thanks. Also was wondering why would people get the surgery if a steroid shot does the same thing pretty much? Or does it? I appreciate sites like these and all of everybodys input. Ive had this chalazion problem for almost a year. Started out as just one on my upper lid, then a month later the lower. Ive had them pop and form a scab, super annoying and embarrasing, I wear sunglasses at night, (people think I'm on drugs). Now there is two on my upper lid and still one on the lower. One on the upper has grown and is pretty large, it is sore and painful at night, why? And how did it grow? Ive been to a Dr. and researched the internet. I don't want surgery cuz most people say it comes back anyway and leaves huge scarring. Thinking bout the steroid shot?

Anyhow, internet research says chalazion will go away on its own but can take as long as a year or possibly longer. That's why I still have it, I guess, just been toughin it out, as its almost been a year. But it has gotten super worse!! Can't handle it anymore. And yes I've done hot compresses, but not that much at all, (doesnt seem to help). I started taking fish oil capsules, hopefully that helps. Thanks for reading, and I appreciate any input or advice."

[YEA]  09/09/2009: Carolyn from Central, Va: "After my doc put me on an iodine pill, my chalazions went away, except for a very tiny remnant of one that wasn't noticeable to anyone but me. A few months later, after starting daily doses of neem extract (10 drops taken internally), the remaining chalazion went away, as well as most of my rosacea bumps."

04/28/2010: Taylor from Wilder, Vermont, Usa replies: "I've had a chalazion for the past year or so in both of my eyes. One stayed very small, only noticing it by the feel of the bump when I rubbed my eye. The other got very large and swollen, affecting my ability to open my eye. This only happened because it got infected, and I needed a steroid shot in the chalazion to reduce the swelling. It stayed away for a half a year, and now it's returning. I'm wetting a washcloth and placing in the microwave on one of those beanbag/rice heating pads and laying down with them over my eyes. Also, I'm going to start washing my eyes with baby shampoo mixed with water because that reduces the oil blockage without pain. My chalazions do not hurt as well."

04/29/2010: Tricia from Ireland replies: "My 5 yr old got one last August which we tried treating as a sty. This obviously didn't work.... Because it wasn't hurting her in anyway the docs advice was to leave it alone. If it started to hurt this would mean infection and then sonething would have to be done about it. So I decided to go with his advice. Out of the blue, on the last day of March, it just disappeared. Literally overnight. But her "eye allergy" started up within 2 days. Every year during April her eyes get mucus and itchy. We had her checked out the first year it happened and this was the diagnosis. She doesn't suffer any other form of allergy. I can't help but wonder are the two related. If the chalazion reappears I am going to try local honey to see if the pollen helps."

[YEA]  05/18/2011: Sheila from San Diego, Ca, Usa: "Unfortunately, I cannot say which of the remedies I have been using (for other conditions) did the trick to heal my chalazion. The chalazion appeared on my lower left eyelid a little over 5 months ago. In those 5 months I used warm compresses, tea bags, colloidal silver drops, rue fennel wash, etc. It would decrease in size on occasion after one of the above treatments, but stayed noticeable. My PCP recommended an opthalmologist, but I didn't want to see more doctors for something that wasn't an emergency so I searched Earthclinic.

In early April 2011, I started using the Castor Oil for the chalazion, and had started ACV as a tonic for my overall health.

I believe my consumption of diluted ACV (2 teaspoons in 10 ozs, once sometimes twice a day) did the most good, but I was also taking very low doses of Potassium Iodide (300 mcg a day), and I had also started using Castor Oil in/on my eyes (at bedtime, one drop swiped on each eyelid, or one drop in the chalazion eye.

Cautionary note: The ACV I consumed also triggered or boosted my immune system, and possibly raised my body's histamine levels. I've been recovering from a bout of Contact Dermatitis (Dx as per an MD), or a bout of Urticaria/Angioedema (self-Dx'ed)."

05/18/2011: Sheila from San Diego, Ca, Usa replies: "One last thing to note, my chalazion is hardly discernible; no bump, but a tiny shadow on the eyelid margin, and the tissue on the interior of the lower lid is soft again with only some discoloring at a darker pink/reddish. I'm pretty pleased with my results... and no prescribed meds! Now I'm just waiting for a lash or two to grow back out at the spot."

06/03/2011: Sheila from San Diego, Ca, Usa replies: "My chalazion is gone.

There is a tiny bit of a 'scar' or discoloration on my eye margin, but my eyelashes have grown back in that spot, and there is no longer a bump. There is also no longer 'structural damage' as my PCP called it on the inside of my lower lid.

To the other things I was using, I added Vit A (25000 IU) per day to my supplement regimen, and as an added boost, I used one drop of colloidal silver on the inner lining for two days before bedtime to kill off any infection. I had used colloidal silver before, for pink eye."

10/13/2011: Yana from Utica, Mi replies: "Where can I get colloidal silver? Can I get it online?"

[YEA]  02/20/2012: Beege from Sonoma, Ca replies: "After reading about castor oil on this site, I had to try it, as it removed warts on my fingers as a child... I bought the castor oil on Saturday, applied it once then, once Sunday, and once so far today, on a cotton pad, covered with a warm gel eyemask, and a heating pad. When I got out of the shower today, the chalazion, which was birthed in December, was 3/4 gone. Props to castor oil."

06/26/2012: Shina from Abilene, Tx replies: "What type of Castor oil did you buy? Was it an eye drop? How long did it take the chalazion to disappear? I have one for 6 months and I want to clear it. I don't want any surgery. Thanks so much."

12/07/2012: Nina from Boston, Ma replies: "I've had this chalazion on my upper left eyelid for a little more than a month. After reading your comments, I've decided to try all of these multiple remedies (castor oil, applying the ACV and drinking the teaspoons of ACV daily, washing my eye with baby shampoo and added Vitamin A to my diet). I've been doing this for about 2 days as well as continuing wih the warm compresses. I'll let you all know if my chalazion shows any improvement in about a month."

12/12/2012: Sarah from Ottawa, Ontario replies: "Nina! DO you see any improvements on your chalazion? Has it gotten any better for you? I have been suffering from chalazion for the last 2 years. I have gotten several surgeries. I will try the ACV and the castor oil and let you all know if I see any improvements also."

01/20/2013: Alizeh from Winderemere, Orlando: "Best remedy for Chalazion? I am in immense pain right now :( Have chalazion on my lower eyelid. It's heavy, inflammed and really tender.. Puffy and swollen too. Please guide. Thank you"

01/21/2013: Sarah from Ottawa, Ontario replies: "Hi Alizah, I also had chalazion last month and it went away in the matter of 3 weeks. I did the following:

1. I took salmon oil capsules with my meals. 2 a day.

2. I made a concoction which I drank once a day. 1/3 cup of milk, 1 tsp of turmeric powder, around 1/2 tsp (or a bit less than that) cinnamon powder, 1/2 tsp honey. I first warmed up the milk, then mixed the turmeric powder, cinnamon powder and the honey in it and drank it.

3. Then I did this before going to bed. I first washed my eye with johnson baby shampoo. Then I basically soaked a cotton pad in castor oil, put the pad on top on my eyelid where the chalazion was and then put a heatpad on top of that and hot compressed for 15 min. I did not wash my eye after, so I still had the castor oil on my eyelid as I went to bed.

4. I also went to accupuncture twice during my chalazion episode, Once a week.

So after following this regime my chalazion went away in less than 3 weeks :)

Hope this helps you."

01/22/2013: Alizeh from Winderemere, Orlando replies: "Thank you for sharing your tips with me. What makes me angry is that it reoccurs on the same spot every now and then. How should one get rid of this? Thanks a bunch."

11/25/2011: Kotami from Orlando, Florida replies: "This is the first place I come to look up remedies. The chalazion I had last Sunday(11-20) has nearly disappeared already (its Friday 11-25). All the white stuff is gone just a small pink bump remains.

I used the hot compress method faithfully for 3 days straight (2x a day) and also a boric acid based eye wash twice a day. You can find the eyewash just about anywhere. I also became very careful to clean the area around my eyes with a dabe of baby shampoo and water in case the chalazion was caused by blepharitis. I also used a rise of ACV (just a drop) and water on a cotton ball as well.

My suggestion to women is be careful about what you use for eyemakeup removal as anything too oily can get in the eye and cause problems. Don't use anything petroleum based!"

12/23/2009: Dianna from Austin, Tx replies: "this could definitely be a stye that just hasn't worked it's way out yet. i would put castor oil on it. my brother had this and i started him with castor oil and it went away pretty quick. just pat some on there and it doesn't hurt your eyes if you get it in them."

01/17/2010: Reeni from Jakarta, Indonesia replies: "@Dianna from Austin, Tx. Thanks for your advise. I heard that styes hurt but mine does not, even when I press it. Could it still be a stye?"

01/18/2010: Sarah from San Diego, Ca replies: "My daughter gets styes and sometimes it is just a swollen area.. nothing red or inflamed that I can see. We always take a green tea bag, soak it in warm water for 30 seconds or so, wring it out so it doesn't drip everywhere, and have her lay down with the green tea bag over her affected eye. Repeat as needed, but it usually only takes a day or two to clear up. :)"

05/10/2010: Derry from East Greenwich, Ri, Usa replies: "I get styes once in while and have always used a warm tea bag (from a cup of hot tea) on them-an old remedy passed from my Mom."

09/03/2010: Wes from Kailua-kona, Hi replies: "I had a Chalazion, and it hung around for about 3 months, until I started putting warm compresses on it.... AND without disturbing the eyeball or inside the lid, I would GENTLY massage it a bit with a dull fingernail (BUT DON'T SQUEEZE IT) just to create movement... And 4 days after I started the procedure, it was gone.... Try to understand that your body is trying to heal it for you, but it just needs a tad of help on this one.... Most of all, believe in the Law of Attraction and know it is not a big deal.... Maybe some eyedrops too, by the way."

08/16/2009: Hopeso from England replies: "Hi - I've got a Chalazion under my right eye lid. Doctor sent me to the Opticians and he gave me some ointment to put in my eye for about 2 weeks. Went for check up but not completely gone so had to put more ointment on it. A week later and I still feel that it is not gone but is much better. Is there an natural remedy that I could use because I feel it will come back and I do not want to use the ointment anymore."

08/18/2009: Dianna from Austin, Tx replies: "have you tried putting castor oil in the eye? it helps with lots of eye problems and it doesn't hurt."

10/08/2009: Kate from Salida, Co replies: "I have done hot-compresses. Fold a washcloth into quarters, then soak in HOT water. Apply hot washcloth to affected eyelid. Continue to reheat the washcloth as needed and keep in over they eyelid for about 20 minutes at a time. Do this 3 times/day until the chalazion disappears. If you catch them early, they won't develop very big.

Also, I tend to get them as small bumps on the edge of my eyelids first. To prevent: Before I wash my face/brush my teeth, I take a clean washcloth, get a corner wet and scrub my eyelids. I look down to get my upper lid, then look up to get my lower lid. (It helps to pull the lower lid from the eye to clean really well.) If I notice a small whitehead-looking-thing, I scrape it off with the washcloth. Be very careful not to get the washcloth in the eye. (This may take a couple of tries, especially doing it to a young child.) If I can scrape it away, it usually keeps a chalazion from developing. Hope this helps!"

03/24/2010: Brian from Stuart, Florida replies: "Hot compresses to loosen up the gook that gets stuck in the glands. Hot compresses took me a while to figure out. Folded a washcloth in half. Rolled it tightly. Put it on just boiled water. Waiting 5 or so minutes until it was just cool enough to handle. Then wrung out the water to prevent drips. Washcloth is now super hot but moist not dripping. Held on chalazion and unrolled washcloth as it cooled AA the center stays warmer longer. This loosens it all up and let's the flow out and go away."

[YEA]  09/01/2011: Mtnspirit from Boulder, Co: "Over the course of the summer, my 9 yo daughter developed styes on both of her eyes. We treated them, with fair success, with Tulsi tea, an Ayurvedic tea from India known as "holy basil". Recently, though, a sty on her left eye began to grow, looked hot and inflamed, and was higher up the eyelid, toward the crease, then her previous styes. My research pointed to the develpment of a chalazion, a somewhat deeper and more difficult infection to clear.

After being informed by a friend that in her youth she was treated for a similar infection by having the inflammations lanced and drained (which resulted in some very faint scarring) while going on a round of antibiotics and using antibiotic ointments and eyedrops, I redoubled my efforts to clear up this lingering ailment. Not only was it tender and painful to the touch, it looked ugly, red, and "angry" as another friend indicated.

I am studying Ayurveda, and decided to use triphala (an ayurvedic combination of the herbs amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki known as "three fruits" used traditionally to soothe skin irritations and burning, red eyes) and turmeric (known Ayurvedically as "haridra") - a powerful and soothing combination, which would fight infection while decreasing inflammation and breaking up any underlying blockage in the pores of the eyelid and eyelashes.

All medical information online says to be patient with natural remedies of sty and chalazion outbreaks - treatment can take 2-4 weeks.

Using triphala/turmeric eye wash, we cleared up my daughter's chalazion in LESS THEN 5 days.

Here's our integrated treatment approach:

1. Hot packs, or fomentation, 3-6x per day; we averaged about 4x/day for 3 days. Read online about proper preparation of hot packs for the eyes, being mindful and careful not to prepare hot packs that are too hot. Gently clean the pores along the base of the eyelashes with the warm cloth to remove waxy buildup, and massage the eyelid gently to encourage drainage.

2. Application of neem oil (sesame oil which has been infused with a decoction of powdered neem), externally, to the eyelid. Medicated neem oil (NOT essential oil of neem) and powdered neem is available online through reputable Ayurvedic herbal distributors.

3. Eye drops prepared with triphala and turmeric, 2-3 drops 2x-3x/day.

When preparing eye wash or eye drops, you MUST thoroughly disinfect and sanitize all work surfaces and equipment (pots, spoons, droppers, measuring cups, drying racks/towels, etc).

Bring 1/2 c. distilled water to a boil, add 1/8 tsp ea: powdered triphala and turmeric, and steep 10 minutes (as if making tea).

Strain thoroughly through a fine mesh sieve lined with clean muslin or other cotton or silk cloth, and set the strained liquid aside to cool. This is your eye wash, and great care must be exercised to keep it fresh. Store in a disinfected jar in the refrigerator.

Bring eye wash to room temp, or body temp, before using in the eyes.

Apply 2-3 eyedrops to each eye, 2-3x per day.

We applied eyedrops morning and night before applying other ointments or medicated oils. My daughter reported some stinging in the infected eye, which would pass quickly.

4. Apply castor oil compress to eyelid at bedtime. Apply 1-2 drops castor oil directly to the eyes, and cover the wound with a piece of cotton secured by a bandage. Castor oil encourages the draining of the wound, helping to draw out infection. It is also traditionally and safely used directly in the eyes to sooth red, irritated eyes.

This is a more complicated protocol of healing then other posts, but will be very helpful in the treatment of chalazion, preventing the need for a physician's visit and more invasive treatments.

Peace and healing blessings!"

10/29/2011: Ugly_stye from Kansas City, Missouri replies: "Hi! This sounds amazing. I had a chalazion for two weeks and used hot compress and it went away. Unfotunately there is still an ugly scar tissue (pink bump) where the chalazion used to be. No pus though. Do you know of any remedies to get rid of the scar tissue?

--Thanks!"

12/30/2011: Becca from Toronto, Ontario, Canada replies: "I have had a chalazion on my upper lid for 4 weeks. Over the last 10 days I have been diligent with hot compresses with the water mixed with Epsom salts ( 50/50) and this seemed to help bring it down a tiny bit. Yesterday I couldn't keep up with my 4-6 times per day of compresses as I had a full day back to work after the holidays. Has anyone dealing with chalazions noticed that they can look more inflamed/larger somedays and smaller, as if going away, on others? I'm really trying to avoid surgery like the plague, so any additional tips or advice to get rid of this little bugger will help tremendously! Peace and love"

07/16/2012: Michel from Hillsboro, Oregon replies: "I'd be scared of putting anything in my eye not prescribed by a doctor but I also had a chalazion and I can tell you I did the compress as well and it didnt do much for me eithe. So I tried something different I've had boils in the past and tumeric is an all natural antibiotic that can get rid of many things cancer, boils and apparently chalazions. So the reason I mention boils is because a boil is a clogged pore that gets bigger and bigger well a chalazion is a clogged tear ducked thats pretty similar so I decided to try the all natural remedy to get rid of boils for my chalazion. So take one teaspoons of tumeric powder twice a day (morning and night) what I do is I put honey in my mouth to coat it and then dump the teaspoon of tumeric in my mouth and make sure u eat food first might make your stomach upset. Also drink it down with plenty of water. You can take it how ever you want I just found that this was the most tollerable way. I also washed all my pillow cases and wash my face and eye with warm water and gently massaged the lump while washing too loosen it up and help the stuffin the tear ducked break up and move into the blood stream. My eye swole up and I did nothing about it for a week until it got bigger and everyone notice and it was getting sore. Then I took action and did this and in two days it has gone down tremendiously and no one notices it anymore and its almost gone.... I hope this helps you its been extremely helpful for me and it cant hurt to try unless your allergic to tumoric but if you not than no side effects."

[YEA]  06/11/2012: Jennifer from Sunrise, Fl, Usa: "I have been struggling with allergic reactions to something - with what I suspect is a food allergy - the past several weeks and have been dealing with constant eye infections/irritation, and almost daily eczema flare-ups. Just a few weeks ago, when I arrived in France, I developed a chalazion over my left eye, something I've never had before. I tried applying some tea tree oil over it to no avail. Some days it would go away, some days it would come back with a vengeance. It seemed to worsen when my general allergies worsened. Like another reviewer commented below, there seems to be a connection between the two.

I looked for some remedies on Earth Clinic and the internet and saw that a lot of people recommend warm compresses and massage. I am in France at the moment and some people told me that in France, the cure is to rub the chalazion with a gold ring or gold cross. Strangely enough, the folk remedy is similar in the U. S. , to rub it with a gold wedding ring. It seemed like a strange remedy, but I decided to give it a try. Every day I would rub the area with the back of my gold ring gently. I'm not sure if it's just the massage or if it really matters if the ring is gold or not, but it works. I also applied warm tea bags over the eye several times a day.

Today, the chalazion came to a head, and I sterilized a needle and drained the chalazion myself. It relieved a lot of the pressure and now my eye looks so much better. (However, due to the obvious danger of putting a needle that close to your eye, I seriously warn against it unless you have a steady hand and - like me - you are a contact lens wearer who doesn't flinch when you touch your eye. If you have any doubts, please go to a doctor to drain it professionally. ) I've also been taking coconut oil every day which has stopped a lot of my allergic reactions.

I hope this helps someone else - best of luck, Jennifer"

11/29/2012: Erin from Tucson, Az replies: "My daughter had an allergic reaction to makeup remover cloths the other day and had a lump under each eye suddenly appear. After washing her eyes with water, one completely dissapeared, and the other is now quite large and red. I agree that it is an allergic reaction, so she won't be using the cloths any more. Thank you for your imput on this site, we are trying the rubbing and warm tea bags you recommended."

02/22/2012: Chris from Portland, Or replies: "Hi Ry and All, My 2 year old son had an issue with chalazions for about a year. During that year we tried most of the above remedies, including the warm compresses 5 times a day, on each eye of A 2YR OLD! We had multiple doctors tell us once he is 5 to look into surgery to have them removed. We left the last doctor visit with two perscriptions, one for an external steroid and one for an oral steroid, he left the option up to us. Up to this point they were about 85% of each of his upper eyelids and about 20% of one of his bottom eyelids. None of the remedies had helped to reduce them much they stayed about the same size although the warm teabag compresses did appear to remove some of the redness.

We met a vendor who farms bees at our Portland Farmers Market in downtown Portland, OR. He was schooling us on the nutritional benefits of bee pollen and the way he herds his bees to different types of fruits to influence the taste of the pollen, we were sold on it as a vitamin suppliment. We began giving our son 1/2 of a teaspoon twice a day and taking it ourselves as well. Within 2 weeks we had noticed our son's chalazions were 1/4 of their normal size. A month later they were gone, only the little pink spots of where they were are left on his eyelids.

It has been almost 8 months now and we still buy our pollen from the same guy and still take it as a vitamin suppliment. My son has not had any chalazions since.

I am not comfortable posting someone else's contact information online but if you are interested in trying some of the pollen to see if it helps, feel free to shoot me an email.

Thanks for listening and sharing!

[chris.minor0[at]gmail.[com]"

08/01/2012: Chris M from Portland, Or replies: "Hi All, I have received an amazing amount of inquiries regarding my post here so I put up a small web page explaining our experience with the pollen and chalazion. Please have a look and if you have any questions you are still welcome to email me!

https://sites.google.com/site/cmchalazion/"