ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Stye

What is stye?

4 May 2021

It refers to a condition of the eyelid caused mainly by staphylococcus bacteria that infects an oil gland, giving rise to a reddish and painful lump that grows on the edge of the eyelid or under the eyelash. They occur most often during adolescence, but anyone can develop them regardless of age. The stye is also known as inflammation of the Zeiss glands, people who have it should avoid sharing towels, pillows, sheets, handkerchiefs, and other objects to minimize the risk of contagion. Styes are classified into:

  • External: they are painful and occur along the edge of the eyelid.
  • Internal: they are usually more painful and appear inside the eyelid.

Potential risks:

  • Changing contact lenses without performing good hand hygiene or disinfecting them before putting them on.
  • Diabetes.
  • Leaving makeup residue on the eyes before going to bed.
  • Suffering from blepharitis
  • Insomnia.
  • Malnutrition.
  • Having previously suffered from styes.
  • Using expired cosmetics.

Sometimes they can occur due to rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis complication, which are inflammatory conditions that mainly affect the skin of the face.

Signs and symptoms Stye

The most frequent symptoms consist of:

  • Burning in the eye.
  • Redness in the area.
  • Weakening of the eyelids.
  • Peeling on the edges of the eyelid.
  • Inflammation.
  • Tearing.
  • Discomfort when blinking.
  • Itch.
  • Sensation of having something in the eye.
  • Photosensitivity.

Although most styes disappear on their own, if you have these discomforts, it is recommended that you consult your ophthalmologist to assess your case and indicate the steps to follow to avoid any complications.

Diagnosis and treatment Stye

Your doctor will analyze your symptoms and clinical history, and then examine your eyes to define the type of treatment that is appropriate for your case, since some styes, especially if they are internal, can be complicated.

Styes are usually treated by applying warm compresses or cloths for several days to relieve pain and stimulate their natural evolution until they break, drain, and heal on their own.

Likewise, they are usually treated with drops, balms, or ointments that help prevent the appearance of other styes, as well as the daily use of damp cloths to clean your eyelids.

If the infection is more severe, your doctor may recommend antibiotic or steroid injections to help decrease the swelling and, in extreme cases, surgery under a local anesthetic to drain the stye. If it keeps coming back, you’ll likely have a biopsy to rule out a serious eye problem.

For your health and well-being, in the presence of a stye, it is important that you avoid the use of contact lenses and cosmetics in the eyes.

At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Stye

Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • aao.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • topdoctors.es
  • cinfa.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Cuan AY, Álvarez MJ, Montero DE, et al. Alteraciones oftalmológicas durante el embarazo. Rev Cub Oftal. 2016;29(2):292-307.
  • Navarrete-Rodrígueza E, Sienra-Monge JJL, Ureña-Ortiza R. Alergia ocular. Rev Fac Med UNAM . 2018;61(3):7-16.
  • González PM, González GS, Suárez AM. Carcinoma epidermoide de conjuntiva en un adulto mayor. MediSan. 2016;20(11):5113-511.

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    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.