Stye

A stye (sty or hordeolum) is a painful, discolored bump on the edge of your eyelid. It may look like a pimple and can be tender to touch. A stye forms when a tiny oil-producing gland in your eyelash follicle or eyelid skin becomes blocked, and a bacterial infection develops.

Styes are very common. They’re more common in adults than in children because the oil in an adult’s oil glands is thicker than a child’s. This makes them more likely to get blocked.

It’s common to have a stye on only one eyelid, but it’s possible to get them on both. They usually last one to two weeks, and will typically go away on their own. But in cases where it doesn’t, you may need to visit an eye doctor so they can drain it. They may also prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.

Types of styes

There are two types of styes:

• External styes: External styes form on the outer part of either your upper or lower eyelid. They’re the most common type. An infection in your eyelash follicle usually causes them.
• Internal styes: These form on your inner eyelids (facing your eyeball). An infection in the inner eyelid gland that produces oils causes them. The oils help keep your eyelid moist.

Symptoms of a stye

The main symptom of a stye is a painful, discolored bump along your eyelid edge near your eyelashes. Other hordeolum symptoms may include:

• Swelling of your eyelid (sometimes your entire eyelid)
• Discharge from your eye
• Crusting along your eyelid
• Light sensitivity
• Soreness and itching
• Extra tearing
• A scratchy sensation or the feeling that something’s in your eye

Stye causes

A bacterial infection in your eyelid’s oil-producing glands causes most styes. The oil-producing glands line the eyelids and help lubricate the surface of your eye.

Risk factors

Styes are very common, and anyone can get them. But you may be more likely to get a stye if you have:

• A past history of styes
• Blepharitis (an inflammation of your eyelids)
• Certain skin conditions, like acne, rosacea or dandruff
• Diabetes
• Dry skin
• Changing hormones
• High lipid levels (“bad” cholesterol)

How doctors diagnose this condition

You don’t usually need to see an eye doctor to get a stye diagnosed. But you should visit a healthcare provider if a stye affects your vision, or if it seems to be getting worse after a few days.

Your eye doctor will examine your eyelid and ask you about any additional symptoms you’re having. They’ll be able to diagnose a stye based on this eye exam.

How do you treat a stye?

You can probably manage a stye at home. Applying a warm compress, taking over-the-counter pain relievers and cleaning your eyelid with gentle soap can all help.

It may be tempting to cover the stye with makeup, but don’t. Putting makeup on a stye can delay the healing process. It can even cause your oil gland to become more plugged up and infected. This can make it more painful and take longer to get better.

See an eye doctor if the pain and swelling don’t start getting better after 48 hours of self-care at home. Other treatments include:

• Draining: Your eye doctor might make a small cut (incision) to drain the stye (they’ll give you local anesthesia so you don’t feel pain).
• Antibiotics: You might need antibiotic eye drops or ointment to apply to your eyelid. If the area around your eye is infected, your provider may prescribe oral antibiotics. You might need these after they drain an internal stye.
• A steroid injection: Your eye doctor might give you a steroid injection to reduce swelling in your eyelid.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

You should see a healthcare provider if:

• Your eye swells shut
• Pus or blood leaks from the bump
• Pain and/or swelling increase after the first two to three days
• Blisters form on your eyelid
• Your eyelids feel hot
• Your vision gets worse
• Styes keep coming back

If styes keep coming back, your provider may do a biopsy to rule out rule out more serious issues.

How serious is this condition?

Styes are usually harmless. They may cause some minor irritation and discomfort, but they typically go away on their own in a week or two. At-home treatments like warm compresses can help speed up the healing process.

A hordeolum generally isn’t contagious. But it’s possible to spread small amounts of bacteria from it. That’s why it’s important to always wash your hands before and after touching your face while you have a stye. Wash your pillowcases often. This can help prevent the bacteria from spreading.

Avoid touching the stye unless you’re cleaning it or applying a warm compress. This helps prevent irritation and the spread of bacteria.

Stye vs. chalazion

A hordeolum is similar to another eyelid bump called a chalazion. A chalazion is a bump that usually occurs farther back on your eyelid. Unlike a stye, a chalazion usually isn’t painful and isn’t from a bacterial infection. But treatment for both conditions is similar.