STYE encyclopedia topics

Causes

Styes are generally caused by a Staphylococcus aureus bacteria infection. Although they are particularly common in infants, styes are experienced by people of all ages. Styes can be triggered by stress or poor nutrition. Using the same razor to shave hair near both the eyes and a mustache can also spread staphylococcus bacteria, potentially leading to styes or other eye infections.

A stye can be secondarily, caused by blepharitis. A blocked oil gland near the eye, a chalazion, is often mistaken for a stye.

Signs and symptoms

The first signs of a stye are tenderness, pain and redness in the affected area. Later symptoms include itching, swelling, watering of the eye, sensitivity to light and discomfort when blinking. A yellowish bump sometimes develops in the affected area. This can be found on the top, bottom, or any area pertaining to the eye.

Treatment

While most styes will drain on their own, this process can be accelerated by the application of a hot or warm compress or by pulling out the eyelash as well as flushing the eye out. There is also a specialized Polysporin topical ointment for styes. With treatment, styes typically resolve within one week. Lancing of a stye is not recommended without technical expertise given its proximity to the eye. Styes may also cause a bruised feeling around the eye, which can be treated through the application of a warm cloth. Just like any infection try not to touch it with your fingers.

A hot compress is the best way to relieve the eye, warmth and dampness encourages the stye to drain. A compress can be made by putting hot (not boiling) water on a wash cloth, or by using room temperature water and a plastic heat pack.

Medical professionals will sometimes lance a particularly persistent or irritating stye with a needle in order to accelerate its draining. A stye's expansion can also be fought with erythromycin ophthalmic ointment. Medical professionals may also prescribe Amoxicillin over a period of a week. If a stye bursts, care must be taken to cleanse the wound to prevent reinfection. Those with a stye that may burst should take care to remain within reach of an antibacterial solution.

Contact lenses should never be worn during treatment for a stye. Eye make-up is not recommended, and it is also important to refrain from touching the stye.

To further help the healing of the stye you can wet a warm cloth and then add a small amount of baby shampoo to it. Rub in a circle over the eye, it will remove the scab gently and help induce drainage.