When a gland at the edge of the eyelid becomes inflamed, a stye (sometimes written “sty”) develops. A stye, which looks like a pimple on the eyelid, can appear on the inner or outside of the lid. Styes are not damaging to the eyes and can affect people of any age.
Treatment for sties is effective, however they can reoccur. If left untreated, sties can progress to cellulitis of the eyelids, which is a far more dangerous condition. They’re not contagious, and they’re not an indication of cancer.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
A stye causes discomfort, redness, soreness, and swelling in the affected area, followed by the appearance of a tiny pimple. Sometimes the swelling is limited to the nearby location, while other times the entire eyelid swells. You can notice increased light sensitivity, frequent wetness in the affected eye, or a feeling like something is in the eye.
1. Swelling, redness, and pain in a small area of the eye.
2. A painful red nodule beneath the lid border may indicate an external sty; an internal sty may not have a visible nodule.
3. Slightly blurred vision.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
Styes are caused by staphylococcal bacteria. This bacterium is often found in the nose, and it’s easily transferred to the eye by rubbing first your nose, then your eye.
1. An examination of the eye generally confirms this infection.
2. Many sties may drain on their own, however a folded clean towel can be used as a compress to help the abscess drain and relieve pain. Dip the compress in warm water, wring it out until only a little leaking remains, and place it over the eye.
Dip the folded cloth into the water many times to keep the compress moist and warm. Continue to apply the compresses for another 10-15 minutes. Apply the warm compresses 4 times a day for 3 to 4 days, each time with a clean cloth.
3. Drug therapy can be prescribed by your health care provider. Do not use any medicine (including over-the-counter remedies) without checking with your health care provider.
Generally, drug therapy includes antibiotic eye drops/ointment and, occasionally, an antibiotic taken by mouth. Carefully follow the directions prescribed by your health care provider.
4. If a sty does not drain spontaneously after compress application, seek help from your health care practitioner.
Don’t try to squeeze or drain the sty on your own. This spreads the infection and increases the risk of cellulitis. If symptoms linger after several days of treatment, have your eye checked again.
The majority of styes heal on their own within a few days. Applying heat compresses for 10 to 15 minutes three or four times a day for several days will help to speed up this process.
This will alleviate the discomfort and bring the stye to a head, similar to a pimple. The stye bursts, drains, and then heals.
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