“IF YOU PEE IN THE STREET, YOU’LL GET A STYE IN YOUR EYE” … Old wives tale

WHAT ARE STYES AND CHALAZIA?

A stye is a bacterial infection that causes a tender red lump on the upper or lower eyelid, usually along the edge of the eyelid. Although they can be irritating and sometimes painful, styes are rarely a serious medical issue, and will go away on their own within one to two weeks once the body fights off the infection.

Styes are often confused with chalazia, which also appear as bumps on the eyelid. The two types of bumps are similar, but chalazia develop under the skin and never appear with a head, while styes look like a pimple on the eyelid. Chalazia are usually not accompanied by redness or tenderness.

WHAT CAUSES A STYE OR CHALAZION?

Styes are caused by a bacterial infection, usually in the root or follicle of an eyelash. Certain risk factors can increase the chances of developing styes. These include chronic skin problems, blepharitis, or previous styes.

A chalazion forms when an oil gland in the eyelid becomes blocked.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

A stye usually starts as a red bump that looks like a pimple along the edge of the eyelid. As the stye grows, the eyelid becomes swollen and painful, and the eye may water. There may be a gritty feeling in the eye, discomfort when blinking, and increased sensitivity to light. Most styes swell for about 3 days before they break open and drain, and they usually heal completely in about a week.

A chalazion starts as a firm lump or cyst under the skin of the eyelid, and is usually not painful. It will grow more slowly than a stye, and may affect vision if it grows large enough. Chalazia often go away in a few months without treatment.

CAN THERE BE COMPLICATIONS FROM STYES?

Occasionally complications may develop from a stye. For example, the bacterial infection may spread to other parts of your body, including other glands in the eyelid.

Styes have a tendency to recur. The infection may not respond well to treatment, which may contribute to frequent recurrence.

If your stye becomes larger, more painful, or doesn’t clear up a few days after starting home treatment, it is advisable to contact your doctor or optometrist. Sometimes styes need to be professionally drained, or you may need to be using an antibiotic cream or tablets.

HOW ARE STYES AND CHALAZIA TREATED?

Usually, home treatment is all that is needed to treat most styes and chalazia. They should be treated promptly.

Applying warm, wet compresses to the eye for 5 to 10 minutes, 3 to 6 times a day usually helps the area heal more quickly, and relieves the discomfort. It may also help open a blocked pore so that it can drain and start to heal. Over-the-counter ointments, solutions, or medicated pads are often effective.

There are many different home remedies for treating styes. One of the most popular is to use warm moist teabags over the eyes a few times a day. Chamomile and dandelion teas are anti-bacterial, and may help to alleviate the infection. Compresses may also be made from mint leaves, parsley, calendula, egg white, raw potato, or cucumber slices.

Suggestions for solutions to bathe the eyes include alum, turmeric, cloves and coriander seeds. The lactic acid in warm milk is thought to reduce swelling and draw out infection. A home remedy that has been supported by word of mouth over generations is to place a warmed gold object over the eye. A warmed teaspoon has been found to have the same effect, reducing swelling and discomfort, and hastening the draining of the infection.

IMPORTANT DO’S AND DON’TS!

Allow a stye to drain itself. No squeezing or pinching!

Wash your hands before touching your eyes. Don’t rub your eyes with dirty hands.

Styes can be contagious, so don’t share towels or face cloths that may spread the infection.

Stick with glasses! Wearing contact lenses could spread the infection to the non-infected eye.

Take a break from make-up! Not only could the healing be delayed, but the infection could spread.

Throw out old make-up! Bacteria can grow in make-up, so replace eye make-up regularly.

If styes recur often, gently wash your eyelids every few days with baby shampoo and warm water.

CAN STYES BE PREVENTED?

Unfortunately there are no specific preventive measures for styes. However, there are some common-sense steps one can take.

Keep eyelids and eyelashes clean.

Avoid sharing eye make-up with others.

Avoid sharing towels and other linens such as pillowcases and face cloths.