I had a small chalazion removed from my upper eyelid. Can I apply ice to reduce swelling? (Photo)

Question

the doctor made an incision to drain it on the inside and I am not sure if they did that on the outside of my eyelid as well. But they used a cauterization tool on both sides of my eyelid. Should I be applying neosporin to the outside of my eyelid to prevent scaring or should I use a burn ointment like aquaphor? Can I apply ice to reduce swelling? Any advise is greatly appreciated.

Marie Somogyi, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Erin, 
Following a drainage of a chalazion, it can be helpful to apply ice for any swelling.  Your doctor may have prescribed an antibiotic ointment to use after the procedure, and if that is the case, I would stick to using that one.  You want to be careful using any ointments or creams that may not be meant for use around the eye (ie neosporin).  Hope that helps!

Patrick Flaharty, MD FAACS · Answer

After drainage of a chalazion we recommend ice packs for the first day or two to reduce the swelling and then have patients switch to warm compresses 3 to 4 times a day to assist in the further drainage of the lesion. Ophthalmic antibiotic ointment applied at bedtime to the area can help in the healing. Your physician can prescribe this antibiotic for you. Often it takes a week or two for the chalazion to resolve after drainage.

Robert G. Aycock, MD, FACS · Answer

Icing will help with swelling. Make sure there is a towel inbetween the ice pack and your eyelid and take breaks when it gets too cold. Also follow up with you doctor for further post procedure instructions.

Robert H. Hunsaker, MD · Answer

Ice and topical antibiotic ointment are commonly used, but you need to ask your surgeon these questions as only they know what was actually done/not done/found at surgery.

Darab Hormozi, MD · Answer

Ice application is useful the first few hours after surgery. After that hot compresses 3-4 times daily for 5 min help to reduce the swelling. If there is a cut outside then neosporine can help to keep it clean and moist. Otherwise just give few days and all the swelling will resolve.

I had a small chalazion removed from my upper eyelid. Can I apply ice to reduce swelling? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Swelling

Answer: Swelling

Answer: Chalazion

Answer: Chalazion

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I had a small chalazion removed from my upper eyelid. Can I apply ice to reduce swelling? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Swelling

Answer: Swelling

Answer: Chalazion

Answer: Chalazion

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.