Sty (stye)

Description

A stye (hordeolum) is a red, painful lump near the edge of the eyelid that may look like a boil or a pimple. Styes are often filled with pus. A sty usually forms on the outside of the eyelid, but sometimes it can form on the inside of your eyelids.

In most cases, a sty will begin to disappear by itself in a couple of days. In the meantime, you may be able to relieve the pain or discomfort of a sty by applying a warm washcloth to your eyelid.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of a stye include:

  • A red lump on the eyelid that is similar to that of a boil or a pimple
  • Eyelid pain
  • Swelling of the eyelid
  • Tearing

Another condition that causes inflammation of the eyelid is a chalazion. A chalazion occurs when there is a blockage in one of the small oil glands near the eyelashes. Unlike a sty, a chalazion is usually not painful and tends to be more prominent on the inner side of the eyelids. The treatment for both conditions is similar.

When to see a doctor

Most styes are harmless to your eyes and that won't affect your ability to see clearly. Try self-care steps, in the first place, as the application of a warm washcloth to your eyelid closed for five to 10 minutes several times a day and gently massage the eyelid. Contact your doctor if:

  • The stye does not begin to improve after 48 hours
  • The redness and the inflammation involves the entire eyelid or extends on the cheek or on other parts of your face

Causes

A stye is caused by an infection of the oil glands in the eyelid. The bacterium staphylococcus is usually responsible for the majority of these infections.

Risk factors

You are at greater risk of a stye if:

  • Touch your eyes with unwashed hands
  • Insert your contact lenses without a background sanitize or wash their hands first
  • Leave eye make-up night
  • Use old or expired cosmetics
  • Have blepharitis, a chronic inflammation along the edge of the eyelid
  • You have rosacea, a skin condition characterized by facial redness

Prevention

To prevent eye infections:

  • Wash your hands. Wash your hands with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer several times each day. Keep your hands away from your eyes.
  • Be careful with cosmetics. To reduce the risk of recurrence of infections of the eye by throwing it on the age of the cosmetics. Don't share your cosmetics with others. Do not wear makeup for the night.
  • Make sure that your contact lenses are clean. If you wear contact lenses, wash your hands well before handling your contacts and follow the advice of your doctor regarding the disinfection of them.
  • Apply warm compresses. If you have ever had a stye before, the use of a hot compress on a regular basis can help prevent their reappearance.
  • Manage blepharitis. If you have blepharitis, follow your doctor's instructions for the care of your eyes.

Sty (stye)

Diagnosis

Your doctor will usually diagnose a stye just by looking at your eyelid. Your doctor may use a light and a magnifying device to examine your eyelid.

Treatment

In most cases, a stye does not require specific treatment, but the use of warm compresses can speed up the healing. A stye usually goes away on its own. Recurrences are common.

For a sty that persists, your doctor may recommend treatments, such as:

  • Antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eyedrops or a topical antibiotic cream to apply on the eyelid. If your eyelid infection persists or extends beyond your eyelids, your doctor may recommend antibiotics in pill form or in the form of a pill.
  • The surgery to relieve the pressure. If the stye does not improve, your doctor may make a small incision to drain the pus.

Self-care

Until the stye goes away on its own, try the following:

  • Let the stye only. Do not try to pop the stye or squeeze the pus from a sty. Doing so may cause the infection to spread.
  • Clean your eyelid. Gently wash the eyelid affected with mild soap and water.
  • Place a warm washcloth over your closed eye. To relieve the pain, run warm water on a clean cloth. Wring out the cloth and place it over your closed eye. Re-wet the towel when it loses heat. Continue this for five to 10 minutes. Then gently massage the eyelid. Repeat this two or three times a day can help the stye to drain.
  • Keep your eyes clean. Do not use makeup until the stye has healed.
  • Go without contact lenses. Contact lenses can be contaminated with bacteria associated with a stye. If you wear contact lenses, try to go without them until the stye goes away.

Preparing for your appointment

Start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner, if the stye is painful or do not begin to improve within two days. In some cases, your doctor may refer you to a specialist who treats diseases and eye conditions (ophthalmologist).

Because appointments can be brief, it is a good idea to be prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you prepare.

What you can do

  • List of the symptoms that you are experiencing, including any that seem unrelated to the stye.
  • The list of personal information that may be important for your doctor to know.
  • Make a list of all the medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
  • List of questions to ask your doctor.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of their time together. For a stye, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What is the likely cause of my stye?
  • When can I expect my sty go away?
  • Is this contagious?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • Are there any treatments for my stye?
  • What are the benefits and risks of these treatments?
  • What can I do to avoid it in the future styes?
  • Can I still wear contact lenses?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
  • Do you have any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me?
  • What sites do you recommend?
  • I need a follow-up visit?
Symptoms and treatment of Hordeolum (stye)