An Eye stye can be painful and irritating. It is caused by infections and inflammation of the glands that produce tears. These glands are called the Meibomian glands, located near the base of the eyelashes. A stye can occur in any person, but they're more common in babies and older adults. They're also more likely to affect one eye than both eyes. Stye are most common when there's a lot of stress on the immune system, such as during colds and flu.
It’s is commonly caused by bacteria or viruses. They are commonly caused by the same kind of germ that causes pimples and impetigo. One may see a yellowish or white spot in the center of an inflamed bump, where the pus has collected. One can get a stye on either eye, but it is more common on the outer edge of the eye near the nose.
Causes of Eye Stye
A person can get eye stye when rubbing or touching the area around it, which causes the glands to become infected. Some other common causes include:
- Eye makeup - Eye makeup can irritate the eye, which can lead to stye. If one wears mascara all day long, it could irritate the eyes and cause stye. Makeup causes a build-up of bacteria on the lashes, which leads to infection of the eyelids or cornea (outermost layer of the eye). Bacteria can also enter through an opening in the lid or tear ducts if they are swollen shut due to allergies or other conditions like blepharitis (eyelash inflammation).
- Stress - Stress can lead to eye strain, which can lead to a stye. If a person is under a lot of stress, the individual should ask the doctor about ways to reduce it.
- Hormonal changes - Hormonal changes may cause a stye. For example, if someone is pregnant or has recently had their period, the person is more likely to get a stye.
Signs and Symptoms of an Eye Stye
Eye stye typically cause redness, swelling, pain and tenderness of the eyelid. The stye may be accompanied by tearing or photophobia (light sensitivity). Severe cases may also cause blurred vision and severe pain. In rare cases, a secondary bacterial infection may occur as a complication of an eye stye.
The main symptom of an eye stye is an inflamed lump on the eyelid. The lump looks like an infected pimple and will probably be painful to touch. The only way to diagnose a stye is by looking at it in person – photographs are not accurate enough to see what's wrong with the eye. This bump usually appears on one side of the upper or lower eyelid and can also be itchy. The lump may be red and become swollen with pus as it heals. Other potential symptoms include:
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia) - This happens because there's inflammation around the eye, making someone more sensitive to light.
- Watery eyes (epiphora) - This happens because there's inflammation around the eye, making tears flow down more easily.
Treatment
In most cases, one doesn't need any treatment to get rid of a stye. The most common option is to leave the sty alone. Don't pop the stye or squeeze the pus from a sty. This can cause scarring of the eye, called a chalazion. People can treat a sty themselves at home with some over-the-counter (OTC) remedies. However, if the stye remains despite attempts at home treatment, then it's time to head out and see a doctor. One may need to see a doctor if:
- It's the first stye, and one is worried about it or wants to prevent it from recurring.
- The person has other symptoms besides redness or pain (such as blurred vision).
- The infection lasts longer than ten days.
It’s good to clean the eyelid. Wash it gently. All you need to use is water and some mild soap. Then rinse with warm water. Pat dry with a clean towel or tissue. Place a warm washcloth over the closed eye. The heat will help open blood vessels in the eyelid and make it easier to see better while wearing an eyepatch if needed.