Eyelid reddening, swelling and discomfort are the early symptoms of a stye. What does a stye mean, what it is and what can be done to make it disappear as soon as possible and, most importantly, not recur?
A stye is a purulent inflammation of the eyelid sac or sebaceous gland. There are three types of stye – outer, inner and cold.
The primary symptoms of a stye are redness, swelling and soreness of the eyelid, and painful tenderness is almost always felt. Over time, an unbearable apex may occur, from which the pus differs. If the stye is internal, the yellow tip will be on the inside of the eyelid and will not be visible outside. In rare cases, the swelling of the eyelid may be very severe, the lymph nodes may become enlarged, and the fever may follow.
It Could Be Related to Other Diseases
According to Lolita Pošiūnienė, a microsurgeon at the Lirema Eye Clinic, a stye is more common in people with chronic inflammation of the eyelids – blepharitis, where the edges of the eyelids form crusts, sebaceous glands emerge.
“In this case, the stye can recur in the same place. Blepharitis is more common in people with oily skin, acne or seborrheic dermatitis,” L. Pošiūnienė shares her experience.
The immune system also plays a significant role in eye stye. A stye is more common when the immune system weakens, becomes infected with infectious diseases or lacks B vitamins.
“It should be noted that if this problem recurs at a young age, it may be the cause of diabetes and should be checked immediately,” the doctor warns.
The most common are external stye, acute purulent inflammation of the sebaceous gland or lash follicle at the edge of the eyelid, usually caused by a bacterium called staphylococcus.
“In this case, the eyelid swells, and after a few days, a yellow tip appears between the lashes, which bursts. As for the inner stye, it is a purulent inflammation of the cartilage gland of the eyelid. This type of stye is more painful, the eyelid is more swollen, and it ruptures on the side of the conjunctiva or through the gland duct in the edge of the eyelid,” explains L. Pošiūnienė.
The least painful is a cold stye, which forms when the eyelid glands are clogged. In this case, the eyelid may swell slightly. After swelling, a painless bump may be palpated.
At-Home Remedies Can Do More Damage Than Good
In the case of a stye, dry heat treatment can be given. Boil an egg and a potato at home, wrap it in a clean cloth and keep on the area for 10 minutes 3-4 times a day.
“If a purulent top appears, the heat helps the stye to burst faster. After warming the area, a doctor’s prescribed antibiotic should be applied, and the edge of the eyelid cleaned with sterile wipes. It is also recommended to wash your eyes – artificial teardrops are perfect for this. If you have a fever or your lymph nodes increase, it is necessary to consult a doctor, ” advises the microsurgeon.
Under no circumstances should warm damp compresses be applied, a stye squeezed, or otherwise punctured in the presence of purulent tops. Experts also recommend withholding the use of cosmetics and make-up in the case of eye stye. Personal hygiene is paramount.