A stye is an inflammation of the eyelid associated with a small collection of pus. In most cases, the infection is caused by the Staphylococcus bacteria. It is sometimes known as a hordeolum. Although uncomfortable and incredibly common, styes are not generally a cause for concern. Often the lump is red and painful and looks like a boil or pimple. Although most styes form on the outside of the eyelid, some do develop on the inside. In the majority of cases, styes get better within 1 week without any medical intervention. External styes, or those outside the eyelid, may turn yellow and release pus. Internal styes that appear inside the eyelid tend to be more painful. Applying a warm compress gently against the stye helps it release pus more readily, and resolve the pain and swelling. Sometimes a stye can recur.
Here are some key points about styes.
Styes very rarely affect both eyes simultaneously. An individual will generally have one stye in one eye. However, it is possible to have more than one stye in the same eye or one in each eye.
Symptoms of a stye can include:
The individual should speak to a doctor if the stye persists for greater than 1 week, vision problems arise, if the swelling becomes particularly painful, bleeds, or spreads to other parts of the face, or if the eyelid or eyes become red.
There are two general categories of stye:
External hordeolum
External styes emerge along the outer edge of the eyelid. They can become yellow, filled with pus, and painful when touched. They can be caused by an infection of the following:
Internal hordeolum
The swelling develops inside the eyelid. Generally, an internal hordeolum is more painful than an external one. They are also referred to as an internal stye and are most commonly due to an infection in the meibomian gland. These glands are responsible for producing a secretion which makes up part of the film that covers the eye.
Patients may also experience a burning sensation in the eye, crusting of the eyelid margins, droopiness of the eyelids, itchiness on the eyeball, sensitivity to light, tearing, a feeling that something is stuck to the eye, and discomfort when blinking.
The following can increase the risk of developing a stye:
If a member of the household has a stye, the other residents should not share wash cloths or face towels to minimize cross infection.
Sometimes a sty occurs as a complication of blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids. Blepharitis is often caused by a bacterial infection, but can sometimes be a complication of rosacea, an inflammatory skin condition that mainly affects the skin of the face.
The following can increase the risk of developing a stye: