What is a Stye and How to Get Rid of it?

What is a Stye and How to Get Rid of it?
5 Min Read | 18 Jun 2020
Akash Raj
Akash Raj

Content Manager

Looks like you noticed a bump or a pimple around the eye? Getting rid of a stye or hordeolum is not a challenging task. However, eyes are sensitive and fragile, which leads us to look for an instant solution. Stye is an acute swelling on the eyelid that is often a result of a bacterial infection. 

It’s quite common to develop a stye, and it is harmless. If you are struggling with your eye movement because of stye then find out the ways to cure it. Let us first understand what stye is and why it develops around the eyelid, and then how to get rid of it.

What is a Stye in the Eye?

A stye is an inflammation that occurs on the eyelid. It looks like a pimple or is round as it forms with a small collection of pus. It is caused by the Staphylococcus bacteria. The size and how it looks can vary for every individual, but it often looks like a lump in red or a big pimple. It can develop at any part- the outside or the inside of the eyelid.

Styes on the outside of the eyelid are most likely to turn yellow and later release pus, while the internal styes that appear inside the eyelid are quite painful. It may create a problem in eye movement, especially while opening or closing the eye. In most cases, it is likely to get better within a week without any medical help.

What are the Causes of a Stye?

What are the Causes of a Stye

Styes are mostly caused by the Staphylococci bacteria, as mentioned above. These bacteria from the skin manage to reach the oil glands in the eyelids. It gets absorbed via the oil glands along with other dead skin cells on the edge of the eyelid to form the pimple-like shape. You can develop stye on one eyelid or both of them at the same time. It can occur once for some people, but it can come back if there’s clogging or irritation in the eyes.

These bacteria mostly spread by touching your face quite often without cleaning it. Hence, ensure cleaning your hands so that the infection has less chance of occurring. If you repeatedly develop the condition, then it's an indication that you must clean your eyelids properly.

What are the Symptoms of a Stye?

Here are some common symptoms of a stye, you must keep in mind.

  • Swelling in the eyelid

  • An irregular lump on the eyelid

  • Immense pain

  • Uncomfortable eye movement

  • Red-eye and tenderness

  • Burning sensation

  • Develop crusting on the margins

  • Blurry vision and tearing

  • Mucus secretion from the eye

  • Problems while blinking

  • Feeling of heaviness in the eye

What’s the Treatment of a Stye?

What’s the Treatment of Stye

Stye doesn’t require any special medical treatment. It gets better on its own after a few days. However, keeping it clean will help with the pus coming out extensively. Here are some ways of treatment:

  • Give a quick massage on the stye with a washed and clean finger. Massaging the area helps to clean the clogged gland and try to open and drain. It’s known as the best way of stye treatment in home remedies.

  • Wash your eyes properly and keep them clean. Clear out any dirt, residue or crust developed around your eye.

  • If you experience quite a lot of pain in the eye due to stye then take some pain relievers. Stop wearing eye makeup or any sort of makeup, as it will cause more pore blockage. Try to keep your face clean and free from any cosmetics.

  • Wear glasses rather than lenses until it is gone completely.

  • You can also use antibiotic creams or eye drops if it continues to be present even after a week. If the infection spreads beyond the eyelid area, then you must switch to oral antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.

What are the Complications of a Stye?

There are fewer complications associated with this eye condition compared to other eye problems. Some of them include:

  • Meibomian cyst - A cyst is a sac-like pocket that contains fluid that can grow at any part of your body. It’s either harmless or can turn cancerous. A meibomian cyst is a slow-growing lump present in the tear gland in the eyelid. It discharges a lubricant called sebum at the edge of the eyelid.

  • Preseptal or periorbital cellulitis - You’ll be prone to preseptal if the infection spreads around the tissue of your eye. It’s also an infection of the eyelid caused by a bacterium. You’ll develop redness, swelling of the eyelid or fever because of it. The mentioned eye condition is not that problematic for you, as it recovers automatically. There’s less complication with them.

Concluding Thought

Stye is a common eye infection, and getting rid of it is not a big task. As discussed above, it gets cured in a few days. If you are going through it, then take tips from above. Also, wear eyeglasses instead of contact lenses to keep your eyes safe. You can explore our range of eyeglasses and get them delivered with next-day delivery powered by Specscart Rocket.

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