Chalazions Continue to Develop in Both Eyelids

DEAR DR. ROACH: Are oral antibiotics ever prescribed to treat chalazions, in addition to eye drops and ointment? I have had two this year for seemingly no reason. They were treated with tobramycin eye drops, ointment and warm compresses. The first one didn’t resolve with those meds and was excised surgically. That eyelid then became infected without a chalazion and was treated with a second round of antibiotic drops. It remains a bit puffy and pinkish in color, which I chalked up to the new normal appearance.

Now, a chalazion has developed in the other eyelid. I don’t wear eye makeup and use an eyelid cleanser recommended by my ophthalmologist. I am an otherwise healthy 76-year-old woman. Could there be a systemic bacterial or viral infection causing chalazions to keep developing? -- M.W.

ANSWER: The terms for different types of eyelid lesions can be a bit confusing. Most people are familiar with a stye, which is a localized inflammation of the upper or lower eyelid, most commonly caused by an infection of one of the glands of the external eye, usually by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. A stye is also called a hordeolum. An external hordeolum is in the eyelash follicle or the lid margin, whereas an internal hordeolum is inflammation in the meibomian glands, the ones that secrete mucous to help keep the eyes lubricated.

Makeup can block these glands and predispose someone to hordeola. Hordeola are treated with warm compresses and sometimes by an eye specialist, with a combination of antibiotic drops and topical steroids. Drainage by an ophthalmologist is necessary if it doesn’t get better within one to two weeks. If the infection gets into the skin around the eye, it may need oral antibiotics.

A chalazion is not an infection. It’s a usually painless rubbery mass in the eyelid. A chalazion can be a complication of a hordeolum, since the glands are blocked by inflammation, leading to thickened secretions from the gland. Since it’s not an infection, neither oral nor topical eye antibiotics are useful. These also usually get better with warm compresses over weeks to months. People with recurrent chalazia should be considered for biopsy, since they can turn out to be tumors in rare circumstances.

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Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.

© 2023 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

Recognize Potentially Dangerous Household Chemicals

Air fresheners: These seemingly innocuous products may be doing more harm than good. Information published in a 2015 issue of The Journal of Toxicological Sciences linked air fresheners to volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. They also may contain ultra-fine particles of formaldehyde and phenol. In addition, National Geographic’s The Green Guide states that many air fresheners contain nerve-deadening chemicals that coat nasal passages and temporarily block one’s sense of smell. Many widely available air fresheners use phthalates, which are linked to hormonal and reproductive issues, birth defects and developmental disorders. In lieu of chemical air fresheners, spray diluted essential oils around the house.

Causes Of Bad Breath

Bad breath, also called halitosis, is caused by the bacteria that grow in our mouths on bits of food that get stuck between teeth. The bacteria release sulfur compounds that cause your breath to smell bad. Contrary to common belief, you can’t counteract bad breath by using mouthwash: you must brush for two minutes twice a day and floss daily. In addition to regular brushing, daily flossing is the best way to avoid bad breath because it removes food particles from in between teeth. Certain pungent foods such as onions and garlic also cause bad breath because their oils are carried into the lungs and then recycled into your mouth through the respiratory system.

At BATAVIA FAMILY DENTAL, our purpose in presenting this column is to exhibit the virtues of professional care as well as diligent home care in achieving and maintaining a healthy, vibrant smile. Through a combination of proven techniques and innovative technology, plus communication and compassionate concern, we attempt to move our patients toward an optimum state of oral health. When was your last dental checkup? Now is a good time to schedule an appointment for comprehensive dental care, including help with bad breath, helpful dietary information, cleanings, restorations, cosmetic work, or gum disease treatment. Call us at 6 Batavia City Centre, 585.343.4246. www.bataviafamilydental.com

P.S. You cannot determine whether you have bad breath by breathing into your cupped hands. Talking, rather than breathing, brings odors from the back of your mouth to the front.

Health Care Screenings For Men

BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 39

Diabetes: Risk factors and warning signs will dictate if men between the ages of 18 and 39 require diabetes screening. For example, the U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that a BMI over 25 is considered overweight, which is a risk factor for diabetes. Men who fall into this category should be screened for diabetes starting at age 35 (the USNLM urges Asian American men to be screened if their BMI exceeds 23). Providers also may test men’s blood sugar levels if their blood pressure is 130/80 or higher and/or if they have a first degree relative with diabetes or a history of heart disease.

Get On The Fast Track To Being Organized

• Keep a cleanup bin handy. Put an empty basket in a central location, using it to gather stray items scattered around main living areas. Once everything has been collected, items can be returned to their rightful place.

• Make the bed. One of the easiest ways to keep a room looking neat is to make the bed each day. Store clean linens in a pillow case so the entire set is together and ready to go.

• Purge closets and cabinets. There’s no point allowing old, stained or damaged items to take up space. Set aside days to clear expired medication from the bathroom cabinet, discard ripped or ill-fitting clothing from the closet, or to dispose of broken toys in a nursery.

• Write things down. Tasks seem more manageable when they are written down in black-and-white and can be crossed off as completed. Writing things down also helps make the mind feel more organized.

• Exercise caution before buying. Don’t buy more than you need; otherwise, you’ll have to find space for extra items. Also, keep inventory of food and supplies in the house so you’re not unwittingly buying duplicates.

• Sort mail and paperwork. Establish different categories for papers so they can be sorted and discarded as needed. These may include bills, invitations, school papers, and junk mail. Reduce paper clutter by opting for digital correspondence when possible.

• Make one repair at a time. Tackle that source of stress by focusing on one repair and seeing it through to completion.

• Delegate the work. If kids want to help organize, let them. It can be a fun project for an adolescent to rearrange the pantry or offer their ideas for corralling messes.