Styes
A stye, also known as an external hordeolum, is an inflammation of the hair follicles or glands of the eyelids, typically caused by a bacterial infection, most commonly from Staphylococcus aureus. These infections can arise from transferring bacteria from the nose to the eye, often exacerbated by factors such as excessive rubbing or stress. Common symptoms include redness, swelling, pain in the eyelid, excessive watering of the eye, and increased sensitivity to light. While styes are generally not harmful to vision and can occur at any age, they can be bothersome and may resemble a chalazion, which is a painless lump due to a blocked gland.
Most styes resolve on their own within a few days, and treatment typically involves warm compresses to promote healing. It is advised against attempting to pop a stye, as this could lead to further infection. In cases where styes persist, antibiotic creams may be prescribed, though lancing by a doctor is seldom necessary. To prevent recurrence, maintaining cleanliness around the eyelids and avoiding the transfer of bacteria with unwashed hands are essential practices. Overall, while styes can be uncomfortable, their prognosis is usually positive.
Styes
ALSO KNOWN AS: External hordeolum
ANATOMY OR SYSTEM AFFECTED: Eyes, skin
DEFINITION: Inflammations of hair follicles or glands of the eyelids that become infected by bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus.
CAUSES: Bacterial infection with staphylococci; may be triggered by rubbing or stress
SYMPTOMS: Swelling, redness, and pain in eyelid; excessive eye watering; increased sensitivity to light
DURATION: Usually a few days; sometimes recurrent
TREATMENTS: Warm compresses, antibiotic creams or ointments if infection persists
Causes and Symptoms
The most common symptoms that accompany styes are swelling, redness, and pain to an area of the eyelid. A pimple often appears in the area of the swelling. There may also be excessive watering of the infected eye and an increased to light. A chalazion can sometimes be mistaken for a stye because it too is marked by swelling. A chalazion is a lump on the edge of the eyelid that is caused not by but rather by a blocked mucous gland under the eye. Unlike a stye, a chalazion is a painless swelling.
While styes have no specific causes, they often develop when staphylococci bacteria are transferred from nose to eye by excessive rubbing. Stress has also been named as an influence on the frequency of recurring styes. Styes are not harmful to vision and can occur at any age.
Treatment and Therapy
Some styes heal on their own within a few days. Healing may be encouraged by applying localized warm compresses (with a clean cloth) to the infected area for ten minutes, four to eight times throughout the day. The warmth of the compress assists in speeding the to the infected area, which in turn accelerates the crowning of the stye and subsequent drainage of the abscess through the opening at the margin or underside of the eyelid. Once drainage of the pus begins, the swelling and pain associated with most styes begin to subside. Though the temptation may be great, styes should never be ruptured or “popped,” as is often done with a pimple. This may spread the infection to other follicles of the eyelid, or it may spread the infection to the tissue of the eye, causing eyelid cellulitis.
Antibiotic creams and ointments are sometimes prescribed in cases of persistent and recurrent styes. Rarely do styes require lancing by a doctor. However, a health care provider should be consulted if the swelling on the eyelid continues to enlarge or if it does not cease on its own within a two-week period.
To prevent stye recurrence, it is important to keep the eyelid and lashes clean. Careful attention should be placed on cleaning excessive oil from the edges of the lids. Hands should be washed regularly, especially if they have touched the nose. Separate washcloths and towels should be used among members of a shared household. Styes pose no danger to the eye, and therefore the is usually quite positive.
Bibliography
American Academy of Ophthamology. "What Are Chalazia and Styes?" EyeSmart, 2013.
Anshel, Jeffrey. Smart Medicine for Your Eyes: A Guide to Safe and Effective Relief of Common Eye Disorders. Garden City Park, N.Y.: Square One, 2011.
Borowski, Maria. "Hordeolum (Stye)." Health Library, November 26, 2012.
"Eyelid Disorders." MedlinePlus, 13 Oct. 2016, medlineplus.gov/eyeliddisorders.html. Accessed 8 Apr. 2024.
Porter, Robert S., et al., eds. The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook. Whitehouse Station, N.J.: Merck Research Laboratories, 2009.
Riordan-Eva, Paul, and John P. Whitcher. Vaughan and Asbury’s General Ophthalmology. 18th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical, 2011.