Recurring Chalazions

Hi, desparately seeking answers.  My 3yr old daugther has been stricken with 4 chalazions since Feb.  She had one removed surgically less then a month ago and I thought perhaps we were in the clear.  Alas today she has another rearing its ugly head.  I have consistently been washing eyes with baby shampoo and she is still using hte steroid/antibiotic ointment prescribed after the surgery so im pretty much at a loss to what is causing this...  Surely this can not be right from now on. The dr basically says there are no answers just try the preventative but its so frustrating.  Could it be the pool?  could it be vitamin deficiency?  she has great hygeine.  I wash her hands as often as I can.  Sure she sticks her finger up her nose and rubs her face but no more than the average kid.   Please, please any advice will be appreciated...

[John C Hagan]

Chalazions drive adults crazy when they reoccur and are double trouble in kids and in the concern their parents suffer. There often isn't a simple answer. It has nothing to do with hygeine and is an oil gland problem (much the same as seborrhea and acne). It is not due to any vitamin deficiency. You are a good parent.

If you daughter has any rashes on her face I would see a derematologist. In adults chalazia can occur with patients with skin diseases like acne and acne roseacea. If her hair is oily wash frequently and don't let her bangs or hair get in her eyes. (In adults peek a boo bangs with oily hair can transfer hair oil to the lids).

There are several commercial products that many of our patients find better than baby shampoo, all are available without a prescription: Eye-Scrub, OcuSoft, and the new TheraTears Sterilid foam cleaner. Worth a try.

Some of the medications used in adults cannot be used on your child (tetracyclines) because of dental problems they cause. And of course chalazia removal is an office procedure on most adults but in a three year old is usually an general anesthesia procedure. Also kids that age will not tolerate intra-chalazion injections of steroids.

Use a good internet search engine and search "blepharitis" and "chalazia" that will help you understand the problem, treatment, etc. Stay close to the ophthalmologist of your choice. Know that other kids have this problem. Know that they usually outgrow it. The pediatric opthalmologist in our group hasn't had to do a surgical chalazion removal  more than twice on any one pediatric individual under general anesthesia.

Most chalazia you can "out-wait".

Good luck mom

JCH MD

[shalsjbp]

My 2yr old son also has a recurrent chalazion problem. It started with one on his lower left eyelid. This grew to the size of peanut. We tried everything! First with the normal antibiotic treatments both orally and externally but it didn't work. Next we consulted 2 opthomologists and one pediatric opthomologist, and all suggested surgery. However my husband and I did not want to put our son through that and decided to just see if it would subside by itself in time.

When a second chalazion started coming up on his upper right eyelid, we decided to try alternative medicinal treatments ( before having to opt for surgery). We consulted an ayurvedic doctor, who truthfully told us that although he did have medicines to cure the problem , it would take alot of time. He suggested we consult a Homeopathic doctor, as they had medicines that we act more quickly and which tasted better ;-)

We consulted a Homeopathic doctor who prescribed a medication called ' Thuja' and an ointment called 'Beckoment' ointment. There was an initial reaction to the medication immediately. Within 1 week the larger chalazion on his left lowe lid begin to weep and become smaller. However in the 3rd week we noticed that the medication effect had little effect. After another consultation  'Silica' tablets was added. So now we were giving him the 'Thuja' (Thurs & Sun only), 'Silica tablets and the Beckoment ointment. After a further 3 weeks, the chalazion on his lower left lid has disappeared completely and the one on his right upper lid is getting smaller.

However to our frustration and disappointment another chalazion is growing again on his left lowe lid, however in a different place closer to the outer corner of the eye. We are still consulting the Homeopathic doctor and at the moment he has been put on some 'Calcarea Sulphurica' Tablets and is still continuing with the 'Thuja' and 'Silica' tablets, as well as the ointment.

Will be seeing the doc tomorrow. Will update if they are any more positive results

SJB

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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