A stye, also known as a hordeolum, is a small, red, painful bump that appears on the eyelid. It is usually caused by an infection of the oil glands located on the eyelid, typically by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus.
Styes can occur on the inside or outside of the eyelid, and can be accompanied by swelling, tenderness, and a feeling of grittiness in the eye. They may also cause tearing and sensitivity to light.
Most styes will heal on their own within a few days to a week. In the meantime, warm compresses can be applied to the affected area to help reduce swelling and pain. It’s important not to try to pop or squeeze the stye, as this can lead to further infection or injury to the eye.
If the stye persists or becomes very painful, your healthcare provider may recommend antibiotic eye drops or ointment to help clear up the infection. In rare cases, a stye may need to be lanced or drained by a medical professional to relieve pressure and facilitate healing.
How common is a stye?
Styes are relatively common and can happen to anyone at any age. They are more common in adults than in children and tend to occur more frequently in people with certain risk factors such as:
- Having a history of styes
- Having a chronic condition like diabetes
- Having poor eyelid hygiene
- Wearing contact lenses
- Using cosmetics that are past their expiration date or contaminated
It’s estimated that about 1 in 5 people will develop a stye at some point in their life. While styes are generally not serious and will go away on their own or with simple home remedies, it’s important to practice good hygiene and seek medical attention if the stye becomes very painful, affects vision, or does not improve after a few days.
How long will a stye last?
The duration of a stye can vary, but most styes will heal on their own within a few days to a week. During this time, the stye may continue to grow in size and become more painful before it eventually begins to shrink and resolve.
The use of warm compresses applied to the affected eye for 10 to 15 minutes, several times a day, can help to speed up the healing process and alleviate symptoms. This can be done by soaking a clean cloth in warm water and holding it gently against the closed eye.
If the stye does not show any improvement after a week or if it becomes more painful, it’s important to seek medical attention from an eye doctor or healthcare provider. They may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment to help clear up the infection or recommend other treatments such as lancing or draining the stye if necessary.
Will a sty go away by itself?
Yes, most styes will go away on their own without any medical intervention. The stye may continue to grow in size and become more painful before it eventually begins to shrink and resolve.
To help speed up the healing process and alleviate symptoms, warm compresses applied to the affected eye for 10 to 15 minutes, several times a day, can be used. This can be done by soaking a clean cloth in warm water and holding it gently against the closed eye.
However, if the stye does not show any improvement after a week or if it becomes more painful, it’s important to seek medical attention from an eye doctor or healthcare provider. They may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment to help clear up the infection or recommend other treatments such as lancing or draining the stye if necessary.
What causes a stye?
A stye is usually caused by an infection of the oil glands located on the eyelid, typically by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium is commonly found on the skin and can cause infections when it enters small openings or hair follicles on the eyelid.
Other factors that can increase the risk of developing a stye include:
- Poor eyelid hygiene
- Using cosmetics that are past their expiration date or contaminated
- Wearing contact lenses or not properly cleaning them
- Having a history of styes
- Having a chronic condition like diabetes
- Compromised immune system
- Stress or fatigue
Rubbing the eyes excessively, sharing personal items like towels or pillows, and using dirty fingers to touch the eyes can also increase the risk of developing a stye.
What are the signs and symptoms of a stye?
The signs and symptoms of a stye can include:
- A small, red, painful bump on the eyelid
- Swelling and tenderness around the bump
- A feeling of grittiness or irritation in the eye
- Redness and watering of the eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Crusting or discharge around the eyelid
- Blurry vision (in rare cases)
The stye may occur on the inside or outside of the eyelid and can be accompanied by a general feeling of discomfort or itchiness in the eye. It may start as a small, pimple-like bump that gradually grows in size over a few days, before eventually rupturing and draining pus.
In some cases, the stye may be accompanied by a chalazion, which is a non-infectious lump that forms when the oil gland is blocked. This can cause the eyelid to become swollen and may also affect vision.
Can a stye spread?
Styes are typically not contagious and do not spread from person to person. However, the bacteria that cause styes can be spread from one area of the body to another through touch, so it’s important to practice good hygiene to prevent the infection from spreading or recurring.
Additionally, touching the affected eye or rubbing it too much can spread the bacteria to other areas of the eyelid and even lead to the development of a new stye.
If you have a stye, it’s important to avoid sharing personal items like towels or pillows, and to wash your hands frequently to reduce the risk of spreading the infection. You should also avoid wearing contact lenses until the stye has healed, as this can increase the risk of developing complications or spreading the infection further.
Should I go to work or send my child to school with a stye?
If you or your child has a stye, it’s generally safe to go to work or school as long as you are not experiencing severe symptoms like pain, sensitivity to light, or vision problems. However, it’s important to practice good hygiene and avoid touching the affected eye or rubbing it too much, as this can spread the bacteria and make the infection worse.
If the stye is causing significant discomfort or is affecting vision, it may be necessary to stay home and seek medical attention from an eye doctor or healthcare provider. They can recommend appropriate treatment options and provide guidance on when it is safe to return to work or school.
It’s also important to keep in mind that while styes are not contagious, the bacteria that cause them can be spread from one area of the body to another through touch. So it’s important to practice good hygiene and avoid sharing personal items like towels or pillows to reduce the risk of spreading the infection or developing new styes.
How is a stye diagnosed?
A stye is usually diagnosed based on a physical examination of the affected eye by an eye doctor or healthcare provider. During the examination, the doctor will check for signs of redness, swelling, and tenderness around the eyelid and may ask questions about your medical history and any symptoms you may be experiencing.
In some cases, the doctor may also perform a culture or swab test to determine the type of bacteria causing the infection and help guide treatment decisions.
It’s important to seek medical attention if you develop a stye, especially if the stye is accompanied by significant pain or is affecting your vision. In rare cases, a stye can lead to more serious complications such as a chalazion or an infection that spreads to other areas of the eye, so prompt treatment is essential.
What are the risk factors for developing a stye?
There are several risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing a stye, including:
- Poor eyelid hygiene: Not cleaning the eyelids regularly can increase the risk of developing a stye.
- Use of expired or contaminated cosmetics: Using old or contaminated makeup, especially eyeliner or mascara, can introduce bacteria that can cause a stye.
- Wearing contact lenses: Contact lens wearers have a higher risk of developing a stye due to increased bacterial exposure and the rubbing of the eyelids.
- Chronic medical conditions: Individuals with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, rosacea, or eczema have an increased risk of developing styes.
- Compromised immune system: A weakened immune system due to illness or medications can increase the risk of developing a stye.
- Age: Styes are more common in children and young adults.
- Stress and fatigue: Stress and fatigue can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of developing a stye.
- Rubbing the eyes: Rubbing the eyes can introduce bacteria from the hands into the eyelids, increasing the risk of developing a stye.
It’s important to maintain good hygiene practices and seek prompt treatment if you develop a stye, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions or a weakened immune system.
Read Also: Want to Keep Your Heart and Brain Young? Do This