A stye, also known as a hordeolum, is a painful, red bump that forms on the inner or outer eyelid and appears as a boil filled with pus.
It occurs due to a blocked eyelash follicle or oil gland, or a bacterial infection. While common in teenagers, it can occur at any age.
What is a stye
A stye is a painful, red, pimple-like bump that can result from a bacterial infection of the eye or oil glands. It appears as a pus-filled swelling.
Types of stye
There are two main types of stye, determined by its location on the eyelid:
- External styees are more common. They appear on the outer edge of the eyelid, are painful, and have a yellowish head. They are often caused by an infection of the eyelash follicle.
- An internal stye is a boil that develops on the inner side of the eyelid, pressing on the eye and making it more painful than an external stye. It is often caused by an infection in a sebaceous gland.
Symptoms of a Stye
A stye can occur on either the upper or lower eyelid. It begins as a small, painful lump on or inside the eyelid margin, then increases in size and develops a yellow head due to pus. Other symptoms include:
- Swelling and redness of the eyelid around the stye.
- Yellow discharge.
- Tearing and redness of the eye.
- Swelling of the entire eyelid.
- Crustulation of the eyelid.
- A feeling of having a foreign object in the eye.
- Sensitivity to light.
What are the causes of a stye
The primary cause is a blockage of the eyelash follicle or the sebaceous gland around the follicle by dead skin cells, dirt, or oil. Bacteria then grow and accumulate, forming pus.
Eyelid infections are often caused by a type of bacteria that naturally lives on the skin called Staphylococcus aureus, or they can result from blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids) or from not removing eye makeup, such as mascara, before bed.
Furthermore, not washing your hands before handling contact lenses can lead to a stye, as can using personal items belonging to someone with a sty or certain skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis or eczema.
Treating a Stye at Home
A stye usually heals on its own. However, if the stye persists for more than a week, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics in the form of an ointment, eye drops, or oral medication.
Pain relievers containing paracetamol or ibuprofen can also be prescribed to alleviate the pain associated with a stye. In some cases, other methods may be necessary to remove the stye. The doctor may pluck the eyelash closest to the stye and use a fine needle to drain the pus.
Home treatment may help alleviate symptoms and speed healing through warm compresses. Applying a warm compress can help unclog hair follicles and glands. Place a cotton ball soaked in warm water on the eyelid for 5-15 minutes while gently massaging it. Warm compresses can also be made using tea bags.
Medications for treating stye
- Gatistar eye drops
- Rami Zithro eye drops
- Systane Hydration
- Solofresh eye drops
- Privacon eye drops
- Blink eye drops
- Cornegel eye drops
- Optiguard eye drops
What is the difference between a stye and a chalazion
The difference between a stye and a chalazion is that a chalazion results from a blocked oil gland without infection and is usually not accompanied by redness or pain.
A stye occurs as a result of a bacterial infection in the eye or in the sebaceous glands, and appears as a swelling filled with pus.
Ways to Prevent Stye
The following tips can help prevent stye infection:
- Wash your hands frequently before inserting and removing contact lenses.
- Treat any eyelid inflammation or allergies to prevent itching and thus avoid developing a stye.
- Wash your face and clean the eye area daily.
- Avoid rubbing or touching your eyes.
- Change your eye makeup every three months.
- Remove eye makeup before going to bed.
- Do not share personal items such as towels or makeup with others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a stye look like
A stye appears as a small, red, painful lump on the inner or outer edge of the eyelid. It develops gradually and has a yellow head filled with pus.
When is a stye dangerous
A stye is considered serious if the eyelid does not improve after 48 hours of redness and swelling, or if it spreads to the cheek or other parts of the face.
How long does a stye last
A stye typically lasts from one to two weeks if left untreated.
Article Summary
A stye is a painful, red lump that forms on the inner or outer eyelid. It appears as a filled pimple and increases in size, developing a yellow head due to the presence of pus.
It occurs due to a blocked eyelash follicle or a bacterial infection and causes symptoms such as a feeling of having a foreign object in the eye and swelling.