Definition of stye
A stye is a benign infection that forms in a few days at the edge of the eyelid. A small, painful red button appears at the base of the eyelashes and fills with pus. A stye is not harmful to the eye and is not contagious. The infection usually goes away by itself after about a week.
Causes of stye
A stye is formed when bacteria (often staphylococcus aureus) lodge in the root of the eyelashes (or follicles). The glands at the base of the eyelashes thus obstructed swell and become infected.
We can confuse the stye with:
A chalazion, a localized inflammation of the eyelid, caused by obstruction of the Meibomian glands. These glands are located about 0.5 cm from the free edge of the eyelid and therefore deeper and make an oily substance used in the composition of tears. The infection is caused by a bacterium causing redness and swelling inside the eyelid. A chalazion is usually painless and grows more slowly than a stye. It can last from 4 to 8 weeks.
The symptoms of stye
- A nodule or a small red button on the edge of the eyelid appearing quickly. This little button was formerly called “Compère Loriot”;
- Eyelid pain near the root of the eyelashes appearing in 24 to 48 hours;
- Of swollen eyelids locally at the place of hordeolum;
- Watery eyes
- A foreign body sensation in the eye
- Of pus in the eye when the stye will perforate spontaneously.
People at risk for The stye
People with diabetes suffer more often from styes. In case of frequent styes, it is recommended to check for diabetes.
Risk factors
- A poor hygiene of the eyes , for example, wear makeup or outdated infected on the eyelids;
- Wearing poorly decontaminated contact lenses or handling contact lenses with poor hand hygiene;
- The stress ;
- Hormonal changes;
- Eye dryness whatever its origin. For example, suffering from blepharitis, inflammation of the eyelid margin that causes dry eyes;
- Suffer from ocular-type rosacea, characterized by eye irritation.
Prevention of stye
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The best way to avoid styes is to observe good hygiene of the eyes and hands:
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Medical treatments of stye
Most of the time, a stye is not harmful to the eye and does not affect vision. He heals himself in a few days.
- To speed up the removal of the infected nodule, apply a moist, warm compress on the closed eye with boiled water for 10 to 15 minutes, 3-4 times daily.
- When possible, remove the eyelash on which the stye is centered with tweezers.
- Avoid touching or scratching the eye and do not wear makeup or contact lenses.
- Never pinch or puncture a pimple near the eye as this may spread the infection.
If the stye does not regress after 48 hours or if the redness spreads over the cheeks or other parts of the face, it is necessary to consult a doctor or an ophthalmologist.
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- Antibiotics. Ophthalmic drops (eye drops) or antibiotic ointment may be prescribed by the doctor.
- Surgery. In antibiotic-resistant or encysted cases, an incision under local anesthesia may be performed by the ophthalmologist to drain the stye, to relieve pressure, pain and accelerate healing.