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A stye is a painful red lump near the edge of your eyelid that resembles a boil or a pimple. Sties are frequently filled with pus. A sty usually develops on the outside of your eyelid, but it can also develop on the inside of your eyelid.
In most cases, a stye will vanish on its own after a few days. In the meantime, applying a warm washcloth to your eyelid may help relieve the pain or discomfort of a sty.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF STYE?
The following are signs and symptoms of a stye:
- A painful red bump along the edge of the eyelid, near the eyelashes.
- Eyelid swelling (sometimes the entire eyelid).
- Crusting of the upper eyelid.
- Sensitivity to light
- Itching and aching.
- Tears in the eyes.
- A feeling that something is in your eye.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF A STYE?
A stye is caused by a bacterial infection in the oil-producing glands of your eyelids. The oil-producing glands line the eyelids and help to lubricate the eye's surface.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR STYE?
You are more likely to develop a stye if you:
- Use unwashed hands to touch your eyes.
- Insert your contact lenses into your eyes without first thoroughly disinfecting them or washing your hands.
- Leave your eye makeup on overnight.
- Make use of old or expired cosmetics.
- Have blepharitis, which is a chronic inflammation of the eyelid's rim.
- Have rosacea, a skin condition that causes facial redness.
HOW IS A STYE DIAGNOSED?
Some styes are more stubborn than others and necessitate a visit to your doctor. Contact your provider if your vision appears to be affected or if your stye appears to be getting worse rather than better. During your appointment, your provider will examine your eyelid and ask you about any other symptoms you are experiencing. If you get styes frequently, they may prescribe antibiotic eye ointment. Alternatively, they may advise a procedure to lance the stye and clean out the infection. To numb the area, a local anesthetic will be used. In more severe cases, you may be given an oral antibiotic to help prevent the bacteria from spreading.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR STYE?
In most cases, there is no need for specific treatment for a sty, but using warm compresses can hasten healing. A sty usually disappears on its own. Recurrences are quite common.
If your sty persists, your doctor may advise you to try the following treatments:
- Antibiotics: Your doctor may advise you to use antibiotic eyedrops or a topical antibiotic cream on your eyelids. If your eyelid infection persists or spreads, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics in tablet or pill form.
- Pressure-relieving surgery: If your sty does not heal, your doctor may make a small incision to drain the pus.
HOME REMEDIES FOR TREATING STYE
Try to do the following until your sty goes away on its own:
- Allow the sty to be alone. Do not attempt to pop a sty or squeeze the pus from a sty. This can lead to the spread of the infection.
- Clean your upper eyelid. Wash the affected eyelid gently with mild soap and water.
- Cover your closed eye with a warm washcloth. Run warm water over a clean washcloth to relieve pain. Place the washcloth over your closed eye and wring it out. When the washcloth loses heat, re-wet it. Continue for another 5 to 10 minutes. Then massage the eyelid gently. Rep this two to three times per day to encourage the sty to drain on its own.
- Maintain a clear vision. Wear no makeup on your eyes until the sty has healed.
- Leave your contact lenses at home. Contact lenses can become contaminated with bacteria from a sty. If you wear contacts, try to avoid wearing them until your sty clears up.
IS A STYE CONTAGIOUS?
Styes are not usually contagious. Small amounts of bacteria, however, can be spread from your or your child's stye. This is why it's critical to always wash your hands before and after touching a stye, as well as to wash pillowcases on a regular basis, to help prevent the bacteria from spreading. To reduce bacteria spread and irritation, avoid touching the stye unless you're cleaning it or applying warm compresses to it.
HOW CAN STYE BE PREVENTED?
Preventing eye infections:
- Hands should be washed. Wash your hands with soap and warm water several times per day, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Keep your hands away from your face and away from your eyes.
- Take precautions when using cosmetics. Throw away old cosmetics to reduce your risk of recurring eye infections. Share your cosmetics with no one. Wearing makeup to bed is not a good idea.
- Check that your contact lenses are clean. If you wear contact lenses, wash your hands thoroughly before handling them and disinfect them according to your doctor's instructions.
- Warm compresses should be applied. If you've had a sty in the past, using a warm compress on a regular basis may help prevent it from returning.
- Blepharitis should be managed. If you have blepharitis, make sure to follow your doctor's recommendations for eye care.
WHEN SHOULD I SEEK TREATMENT FOR A STYE FROM MY EYE DOCTOR?
Consult your healthcare provider if:
- Your eye is swollen and closed.
- The bump is leaking pus or blood.
- After the first two to three days, the pain and/or swelling worsen.
- Your eyelid has developed blisters.
- Your eyelids are warm.
- Your perspective has shifted.
- Styes keep reappearing. If this occurs, your provider may perform a biopsy (a small sample of the stye) under local anesthesia to rule out other, more serious issues.
CONCLUSION
Though they can be uncomfortable, most styes aren't dangerous. A stye is usually treatable with good eyelid hygiene, and most cases resolve on their own. You or your child do not need to miss school or work while a stye heals.