Understanding Styes: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

It was a quiet Sunday afternoon when I decided to visit my friend, Sarah, at her cozy suburban home. She greeted me at the door, wearing oversized sunglasses, which was unusual for her. Curious, I asked, “Sarah, what’s with the sunglasses?” She looked embarrassed and lifted them to reveal a swollen, red lump on her eyelid. “It’s been so painful, Priya. I think it’s a stye,” she confessed.

As a doctor, I was eager to help and reassured her that styes are common and treatable. I sat her down with a warm cup of tea and began to explain everything she needed to know.

What Is a Stye?

A stye, medically known as a hordeolum, is an infection of the root of an eyelash. It appears as a small, tender, red lump on the edge of the eyelid, often causing discomfort and irritation. While it may look alarming, a stye is usually a self-limiting condition that resolves with proper care.

What Are the Symptoms?

Styes typically develop over a few days and present with the following symptoms:

• A tender, swollen lump on the edge of the eyelid
• Increasing pain and redness as the lump grows
• A small collection of yellow pus, often visible as the stye points at the affected area
• A sensation of something in the eye, accompanied by irritation and watering

As Sarah described her symptoms, I recognized the classic signs of a stye and assured her that she was not alone in her discomfort.

What Causes Styes?

Styes are caused by a bacterial infection, usually involving Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacterium found on the skin. These infections occur when bacteria enter the hair follicle of an eyelash. Several factors can increase the risk, including:

• Touching or rubbing the eyes with dirty hands
• Using old or contaminated makeup products
• Poor eyelid hygiene
• Stress or lack of sleep, which can weaken the immune system

In Sarah’s case, she admitted to accidentally touching her eyes after gardening without washing her hands—a common way bacteria can enter.

What Is the Outcome?

While a stye can be painful and unsightly, it rarely causes long-term damage to the eye. Most styes are self-limiting and resolve on their own within a week. However, in some cases, the infection may spread, requiring medical intervention.

What Is the Treatment?

To ease Sarah’s discomfort, I recommended a combination of self-care and potential medical treatments if the stye didn’t improve. Here’s what I advised:

Hot Compresses: Applying a clean face washer soaked in warm water to the affected eyelid for 10 minutes helps relieve pain and promote drainage of the stye. This should be done at least four times a day.

No Squeezing: It’s crucial not to squeeze or attempt to pop the stye, as this can worsen the infection.

Pain Relief: Over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol can help alleviate discomfort.

Medical Treatment:

• Antibiotic Ointments: If the stye persists or spreads, an antibiotic ointment may be prescribed.
• Drainage by a Doctor: For larger styes filled with pus, a sterile needle may be used by a healthcare professional to release the pus safely.

Preventing Styes

Sarah was eager to know how to prevent future styes, so I shared some practical tips:

• Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
• Remove makeup before bed and avoid sharing cosmetics.
• Replace old makeup products to reduce the risk of contamination.
• Use warm compresses to cleanse the eyelids and prevent blockages.

Sarah appreciated the advice and promised to be more mindful of her eyelid hygiene.

When to See a Doctor

Although most styes resolve without medical treatment, certain signs warrant a visit to the doctor:

• The stye does not improve after a week of self-care.
• The swelling spreads to other parts of the eyelid or face.
• The eye becomes red and painful, or vision is affected.

FAQs About Styes