What is a stye and how is it treated?
What is a stye?
- A stye (or “hordeolum” to use the medical term) is a painful infection of a hair follicle or sweat gland on the eyelid, or of one of the tiny glands located just inside the eyelid (Meibomian glands).
- A stye will usually appear as a small round red spot, and there may be pus visible inside it.
- There may be a little swelling or puffiness just around the stye, and pus may discharge from it.
- If there is no pain or soreness, it is likely to be a “chalazion” which is a different type of lesion.
What causes styes?
- In over 90% of cases a stye is caused by Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria.
- A stye may occur by itself, or as a complication of blepharitis, which is a more widespread infection of the eyelid.
- Some people are prone to styes and get them repeatedly.
- Certain conditions may also increase the chances of getting a stye, including diabetes, chronic debilitating illness, and high cholesterol levels.
How do you get rid of a stye?
- Styes usually get better by themselves- most come to a head after a few days, and the pus drains out. Further treatment for a stye may also help:
- Warm soaks (e.g. with a warm face flannel held to the area) for 10-15 minutes a day may encourage this to happen
- Topical antibiotic drops or ointment may be used to treat recurrent lesions and for those that are discharging pus.
- Oral antibiotics may be advised if redness and swelling is starting to spread beyond the stye, into the eyelid.
- If there are symptoms of cellulitis (increased redness around the eye, fevers and general unwellness), it’s a more serious situation, and immediate medical attention is needed, as intravenous antibiotics may be required.
- If the stye points at a lash follicle, removal of that single eyelash may help drainage and healing, but more than one lash shouldn’t be removed as it can lead to damage.
- Surgical drainage is rarely needed, and should be performed by an eye specialist or at an emergency department.
What happens if you don’t treat a stye?
- Most styes will get better by themselves
- Rarely, infection may spread from the stye into the tissue around the eye, causing cellulitis- as mentioned above, this is a serious condition which requires antibiotics. Symptoms include pain, swelling, redness around the eye, and often fevers, chills and feeling generally unwell. Immediate medical attention should be sought in this case.
- Sometimes a stye will progress over time to form a chalazion- this is a hard painless lump in the eyelid. A chalazion may need to be removed if it gets big or is causing discomfort.
How to stop getting styes
- Eye lid hygiene measures may help.
- There are eyelid wipes and other lid hygiene products available over the counter- speak to your pharmacist.
- Sometimes people are advised to use a tiny amount of baby shampoo and warm water, and carefully clean the lash-line with a cotton bud.
If having recurring or troublesome styes, speak to your GP, optician or an ophthalmologist (eye specialist).
What is Bali Belly?
What is Bali Belly? causes prevention treatment What causes Bali Belly? Bali Belly is also known as “Traveller’s Diarrhoea” It comes from eating contaminated food [...]
Painful fingers in the winter? It could be Chilblains
Painful fingers in winter? It could be Chilblains What are Chilblains? Chilblains are caused by repeated exposure to cold air, leading to inflammation of the small blood vessels in [...]
Why is Eczema worse in winter?
Why does Eczema get worse in winter? What is Eczema? Eczema is inflamed skin. It can be difficult to distinguish from other skin conditions. Symptoms include: Redness Itch Dryness Weeping and [...]
What is Rubella and why is it dangerous?
What is Rubella and why is it dangerous? What is Rubella? Rubella (sometimes called German Measles) is a viral infection. It used to be very common, but routine vaccination [...]
Why is Measles so serious?
Why is Measles such a dangerous infection? What is Measles? Measles used to be a common illness. The MMR vaccine has dramatically reduced the number of cases in Australia, [...]
Flu symptoms- how do you know if you have Influenza?
What are the symptoms of Influenza (Flu)? What is Influenza? Many people say they have “the flu” when they experience viral symptoms, however true Influenza is generally a lot [...]