That sudden, painful bump on your eyelid can be quite bothersome. If it’s red and tender, you might be dealing with a stye. Fortunately, styes are usually not serious and often resolve on their own or with simple home care. However, understanding what a stye is, how to treat it, and how to prevent future occurrences is important for maintaining eye health.
What Exactly is a Stye?
A stye, medically known as a hordeolum, is a small, painful lump that develops on the eyelid. It’s essentially a localized infection, usually caused by bacteria, affecting the oil glands in your eyelid. These glands, responsible for producing oil that helps lubricate the eye, can become blocked and infected, leading to the formation of a stye. Styes can develop on the outer part of the eyelid (external hordeolum) or on the inner part (internal hordeolum).
Identifying a Stye: Symptoms to Watch For
Recognizing the symptoms of a stye is the first step towards addressing it effectively. Common signs of a stye include:
- Redness of the eyelid: The area around the stye will typically become noticeably red and inflamed.
- Eyelid swelling: Swelling is a hallmark symptom, making the eyelid feel puffy and tender to the touch.
- Pain and tenderness: Styes are often painful, especially when touched. The pain can range from mild discomfort to a throbbing sensation.
- A feeling of something in your eye: You might experience a sensation as if there’s a foreign object or grit in your eye, even if there isn’t.
- Crusty discharge along the eyelid margin: A yellowish discharge may accumulate along the edge of your eyelid, particularly in the morning.
- Pus in the center of the bump: As the stye develops, a small, yellowish spot of pus may become visible at the center of the bump, similar to a pimple.
- Burning sensation: An irritating burning sensation in the eye is another common symptom.
- Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia): Your eye may become more sensitive to light than usual.
- Tearing: Excessive tearing or watery eyes can also occur as the eye tries to flush out the irritation.
What Causes Styes? Unpacking the Root Causes
Styes are primarily caused by a bacterial infection, most often from Staphylococcus bacteria, which is commonly found on the skin. The infection usually starts when bacteria get into the oil glands of the eyelid. This can happen due to several factors:
- Poor hygiene: Touching your eyes with unclean hands is a major culprit. Bacteria from your hands can easily transfer to your eyelids and cause infection, especially if you rub your eyes frequently.
- Improper contact lens handling: Inserting or removing contact lenses without thoroughly washing your hands first can introduce bacteria to your eyes and increase the risk of styes.
- Expired or contaminated makeup: Using old or contaminated eye makeup, particularly mascara and eyeliner, can harbor bacteria and lead to infections.
- Not removing makeup: Sleeping with eye makeup on can clog the oil glands in your eyelids, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Blepharitis: This chronic inflammation of the eyelids makes individuals more susceptible to styes. Blepharitis can cause the oil glands to become blocked more easily.
- Rosacea: This skin condition, which can affect the eyes (ocular rosacea), is also linked to an increased risk of developing styes.
Home Care for Styes: Effective Relief at Your Fingertips
In many cases, styes will improve and heal on their own within a week or two, especially with consistent home care. Here are some effective home treatments you can try:
- Warm compresses: Applying warm compresses is the cornerstone of home treatment for styes. The warmth helps to soften the hardened oil and pus, encouraging the stye to drain naturally and promoting healing.
- How to use warm compresses: Soak a clean washcloth in warm (not hot) water, wring out the excess water, and gently place it over your closed eye for 10-15 minutes. Repeat this process 3-4 times a day. You can also use warm tea bags (after they’ve cooled slightly) as compresses if preferred.
- Maintain eyelid hygiene: Keeping your eyelids clean is crucial to prevent further infection and promote healing.
- Gentle cleaning: Gently clean your eyelids 2-3 times a day using a clean, damp washcloth or cotton pad. You can use plain water or a diluted solution of baby shampoo (no-tears formula) mixed with water. Avoid harsh soaps or cleansers that can irritate the eye.
- Eyelid cleanser pads: Over-the-counter eyelid cleanser pads or wipes are also available at drugstores and can be a convenient option for cleaning your eyelids.
- Avoid makeup and contact lenses: Refrain from wearing eye makeup and contact lenses until the stye has completely healed. Makeup can irritate the stye and slow down the healing process, and contaminated makeup could lead to reinfection or new styes. Contact lenses can also irritate the area and may need to be disinfected thoroughly or replaced.
- Over-the-counter pain relief: If you are experiencing pain, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help alleviate discomfort.
When to Seek Professional Help for a Stye
While most styes resolve with home treatment, it’s important to know when to seek medical attention from an eye doctor, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Consult a doctor if:
- The stye doesn’t improve after a week or two of home treatment: If your stye persists or worsens despite home care, it’s time to see a doctor.
- The redness and swelling spread beyond the eyelid: If the infection appears to be spreading to other parts of your face, seek medical attention promptly.
- Your vision is affected: Any changes in vision, such as blurred vision, warrant a visit to the eye doctor.
- The stye is extremely painful or doesn’t allow you to open your eye: Severe pain or difficulty opening your eye could indicate a more serious infection.
- You experience recurrent styes: If you get styes frequently, your doctor can help determine the underlying cause and recommend preventive measures.
An eye doctor can offer several treatments for persistent or severe styes:
- Antibiotic eye drops or ointments: Prescription antibiotic eye drops or ointments can effectively kill the bacteria causing the infection.
- Oral antibiotics: In cases of severe or spreading infection, oral antibiotics may be prescribed.
- Stye drainage: For stubborn styes that don’t drain on their own, the doctor may perform a minor procedure to drain the pus. This involves making a small incision in the stye after numbing the area with local anesthesia.
Preventing Styes: Proactive Steps for Eye Health
Preventing styes is often about practicing good hygiene and eye care habits. Here are some helpful tips to minimize your risk:
- Wash your hands frequently: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before touching your eyes or applying eye makeup.
- Practice proper contact lens hygiene: If you wear contact lenses, follow your eye doctor’s instructions for cleaning, disinfecting, and storing them. Always wash and dry your hands before handling your lenses.
- Remove makeup before bed: Make it a habit to remove all eye makeup before going to sleep every night.
- Replace eye makeup regularly: Discard mascara and liquid eyeliner every 2-3 months, and other eye makeup every 6 months to minimize bacterial contamination.
- Avoid sharing makeup: Never share eye makeup with others, as this can spread bacteria.
- Manage blepharitis and rosacea: If you have blepharitis or rosacea, work with your doctor to manage these conditions effectively, as this can help reduce your risk of styes.
By understanding what a stye is, recognizing its symptoms, and taking proactive steps for treatment and prevention, you can effectively manage these common eyelid bumps and maintain healthy eyes. If you have concerns about a stye or experience persistent issues, don’t hesitate to consult with an eye care professional for personalized advice and treatment.
Sources:
All About Vision: Eye Styes: Causes and Symptoms, 2/20
American Academy of Ophthalmology: What Are Chalazia and Styes?: 8/29/19
