A stye is a bacterial infection which affects one or more of the small glands near the base of your eyelashes.
- It looks similar to a boil or a pimple and is painful.
- A sty is mostly seen on the outside of eyelid in between the eyelashes but sometimes it can form on the inner part of eyelids.
Symptoms
- A red lump on your eyelid that is similar to a boil or a pimple
- Eyelid pain
- Eyelid swelling
- Tearing
- Crusting of the eyelid margins
- Mucous discharge in the eye
- Discomfort during blinking
- Sensation of a foreign body in the eye
Causes
- A stye is caused by an infection of oil glands in the eyelid.
- It’s a combination of a clogged oil gland and infection with bacteria.
Risk factors
- Touching eyes with unwashed hands
- Inserting contact lenses without thoroughly disinfecting them or washing your hands first
- Leaving on eye makeup overnight
- Using old or expired cosmetics
- Lack of hygiene, and rubbing of the eyes
Management-
- In most cases, a stye doesn’t require specific treatment.
- A sty typically goes away on its own. Recurrences are common.
- Apply a warm compress to the affected eye.
- If you have recurrent stye, you may be advised by your doctor for antibiotic cream, ointment or eye drops. Sometimes you may need to take antibiotic pills.
- A sore spot near your eyelashes can be an early warning sign of a stye. It is best to apply a warm compress at the first sign.
Prevention of recurrence –
- Hand wash– Washing hands with soap and warm water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer several times each day. Make sure that your hands are clean before dealing with your eyes.
- Take care with cosmetics- Reduce your risk of recurrent eye infections by throwing away old cosmetics. Don’t share your cosmetics with others. Don’t wear eye makeup overnight.
- Caution with contact lenses– If you wear contact lenses, wash your hands thoroughly before handling your contacts and follow your doctor’s advice on disinfecting them.
- Avoid Sharing of washcloths or face towels– especially if you have frequent styes.
-Dr.Afroze Fatima
References
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sty/multimedia/sty-/img-20006625
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/understanding-sty-treatment
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/798940-overview
