Stye

General Information on Stye

A stye, also known as hordeolum, is a bacterial infection of one or more glands at the edge of the eyelid or under the eyelid, known as an internal hordeolum, that causes a red lump that may be tender. Typically the bacteria that cause this infection grow in the roots of the eyelashes. When the stye is under the eyelid, the bacteria typically grow in the oil glands in the eyelid. A stye can occur as a result of blepharitis, but most of the time the cause of the stye is an infection in which an abscess forms and ruptures giving off a small amount of pus. A stye usually lasts about two to four days. The symptoms for a stye on the outside of the eyelid and a stye under the eyelid are typically the same, however, the symptoms for a stye under the eyelid typically feel more severe and appear in a much smaller area and have a tendency to recur.

Symptoms of Stye

The symptoms of a stye may be:

Redness
Tenderness
Painful eyelid
Lump on eyelid
Watery eye
Sensitivity to light
Feeling as though there is constantly something in the eye
Swollen area of the eyelid
Yellowish spot on the lump

Treatments For Stye

The treatment for a stye is to apply a wet and warm compress for ten minutes about three to six times per day to help the stye heal faster. This process can help the stye to break open and drain itself allowing the stye to heal faster. After applying the compress the eyelid should be gently massaged. Antibiotics are sometimes used to help get rid of a stye, but are of little use. A stye should never be squeezed or manually opened. It is important to let a stye open and drain on its own. Unfortunately, a stye that is under the eyelid rarely opens by itself and a doctor may need to open and drain it. People with a stye should not wear contact lens or wear any eye makeup until the stye has completely healed.

Personal Experience

Stye - personal experiences