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When your eye suddenly becomes sore and red, it’s easy to jump to conclusions.
“Is it an infection?
Is it serious?”
…you might wonder.
One common cause of such discomfort is a stye, a small but painful bump that forms on the edge of your eyelid.
Let’s delve deeper into what a stye is, its symptoms, causes, and the best treatment options available.
What is a Stye?
A stye, also known as a hordeolum, is an acute infection of the oil glands in the eyelid. It’s typically caused by bacteria and results in a red, swollen, and painful bump near the edge of the eyelid, often resembling a pimple.
Styes can occur on the outside or inside of the eyelid and are usually filled with pus.
Types of Styes
There are mainly two types of styes:
External Stye: This type appears on the outer edge of the eyelid. It often starts in an eyelash follicle, sweat gland, or sebaceous gland. The lump may be tender and red, and sometimes the affected area may be swollen.
Internal Stye: This type forms inside the eyelid due to an infection in the meibomian gland, which produces a fatty substance that contributes to the tear film. Internal styes tend to be more painful and can cause more significant swelling compared to external styes.
What are the Symptoms of a Stye?
- Painful Lump: The most noticeable symptom is a red, swollen bump on the eyelid, which is tender to touch.
- Swelling: The entire eyelid may become swollen, especially if the stye is large or located inside the eyelid.
- Redness: The affected area and sometimes the entire eyelid will appear red and inflamed.
- Tearing: Increased tearing or watering of the eye.
- Crusting: A yellowish discharge may form a crust along the eyelid.
- Blurred Vision: Occasionally, a stye can cause blurred vision if the swelling puts pressure on the eye.
What Causes a Stye?
Styes are primarily caused by a bacterial infection, most commonly by Staphylococcus aureus. This bacteria can enter the oil glands and hair follicles on the eyelid, leading to infection and inflammation. Other contributing factors include:
- Poor Eyelid Hygiene: Not cleaning the eyelids properly can lead to bacterial buildup.
- Touching Eyes with Unwashed Hands: Introducing bacteria to the eye area.
- Using Expired or Contaminated Eye Makeup: Old or shared eye makeup can harbor bacteria.
- Blepharitis: Chronic inflammation of the eyelid can increase the risk of styes.
- Hormonal Changes: These can affect oil production and make styes more likely.
What are the Risk Factors for Developing a Stye?
Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing a stye:
- Age: Styes are more common in children and young adults.
- Skin Conditions: Conditions like rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis can increase the risk.
- Chronic Blepharitis: Long-term inflammation of the eyelids.
- Diabetes: This can impair the body’s ability to fight infection.
- Previous Styes: Individuals who have had styes in the past are more likely to get them again.
How is a Stye Diagnosed?
Diagnosing a stye is usually straightforward. An eye doctor can diagnose it through a physical examination of the eyelid. In some cases, further tests may be conducted to rule out other eye conditions, such as chalazion, which can resemble a stye but is caused by a blocked oil gland rather than an infection. For those diagnosed with a chalazion, chalazion treatment typically involves warm compresses, medication, or minor surgical procedures to remove the blockage and alleviate symptoms.
How Do You Get Rid of a Stye?
Most styes can be treated at home and tend to resolve on their own within a week or two. Here are some effective home remedies and treatments:
- Warm Compress: Applying a warm compress to the affected area for 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times a day, can help reduce pain and promote drainage.
- Eyelid Hygiene: Keeping the eyelid clean by gently washing it with mild soap and water.
- Avoid Squeezing: Never try to pop or squeeze a stye as it can spread the infection.
- Antibiotic Ointment or Drops: In cases where the stye persists or is particularly painful, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic ointments or drops.
- Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help manage pain and inflammation.
For persistent or severe styes, seeking professional medical treatment is essential. In Vadodara, the best eye specialists and hospitals, such as Dr. Surbhi Kapadia and Adicura, offer advanced stye treatment options.
How Serious is a Stye?
While styes are typically harmless and resolve without medical intervention, complications can occasionally occur. If the infection spreads to other parts of the eyelid or eye, it can lead to more severe issues like preseptal cellulitis, a serious infection of the skin and underlying tissue.
When Should I See My Healthcare Provider?
You should seek medical attention if:
- The stye does not improve after a few days of home treatment.
- The swelling and redness spread beyond the eyelid.
- You experience vision changes or severe pain.
- The stye recurs frequently.
About Dr. Surbhi
Dr. Surbhi Kapadia, a renowned best eye specialist in Vadodara, has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating eye conditions, including styes. Her expertise, combined with state-of-the-art facilities at Aadicura, the best eye hospital in Vadodara, ensures that patients receive top-notch care for their eye health needs.
Conclusion
A stye, though often minor, can cause significant discomfort and inconvenience. Understanding its symptoms, causes, and treatment options can help you manage and prevent styes effectively.
If you experience persistent or severe symptoms, seek the expertise of the best eye specialist like Dr. Surbhi Kapadia at Aadicura, the best eye hospital in Vadodara, which can provide you with the necessary care and relief.
Maintaining good eye hygiene and being aware of the risk factors can go a long way in keeping your eyes healthy and stye-free.
By staying informed and taking proactive steps, you can protect your eye health and prevent future styes from impacting your life.
FAQs
Is a stye contagious?
While the bacteria causing the stye can be contagious, the stye itself is not. It is important to maintain good hygiene to prevent spreading the bacteria.
How can I prevent styes from recurring?
Regular eyelid hygiene, avoiding touching your eyes with dirty hands, and not sharing eye makeup can help prevent styes.
Can makeup cause a stye?
Yes, using old or contaminated makeup can introduce bacteria to the eyelid and cause a stye. So, it is always advisable to check your makeup before using it.
What's the difference between a stye and a chalazion?
A stye is an infection of an oil gland, whereas a chalazion is a blocked oil gland. Chalazia tend to be larger, less painful, and last longer than styes.
