Stye — causes, symptoms, treatments

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Icon of Stye

What is a Stye?

A stye is a painful lump on your eyelid. A stye is like a pimple, except it’s on (or in) the lid of your eye. Styes, like pimples, are all too common. They can happen at any age, and occasionally are uncomfortable or painful. But they typically don't cause vision problems.

There are two types of styes: external and internal. External styes often form as red lumps that turn yellow and release pus. Internal styes are usually more uncomfortable and take longer to heal, but typically don’t cause redness. Both types might cause swelling, tenderness, or watery eyes

What causes Stye?

Styes are caused by bacterial infection. Sometimes an oil gland on your eyelid becomes infected, causing a stye to form. Staphylococcal (staph) bacteria is a common cause of this pimple-like bump, and it’s possible to spread it unknowingly by rubbing your nose and then directly touching your eyes.

Signs and Symptoms of Styes

A stye is a small abscess (collection of pus) on your eyelid, which can make your eye and eyelid red and your eyes watery. It can often be painful and unsightly.

Treating Eye Styes

The stye often dissipates of its own accord. The symptoms may be eased by gently placing a clean, warm flannel on your eyelid, but you must never squeeze the stye. If a stye persists, or is very painful, visit your Eye Care professional.

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What causes a stye?

Styes occur when a gland in your eyelid, like an oil or lash follicle gland, gets infected—most often by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. 

Can a dirty pillow cause a stye?

Yes. A pillow that is not clean may harbor bacteria, which can transfer to the eyelid and increase the risk of developing a stye. Maintaining good eyelid hygiene and regularly washing pillowcases can help reduce this risk.

How long does a stye typically last?

Most styes resolve naturally within 1–2 weeks. Applying warm compresses several times a day can support the healing process and provide relief from discomfort.

Are styes related to stress?

Stress itself is not a direct cause of styes. However, it may affect the body’s immune response, making individuals more susceptible to bacterial infections that can lead to styes.

When should I see a doctor about a stye?

If a stye persists beyond a week or two, worsens, is very painful, or affects your vision, it’s best to visit an eye care professional.

What can make a stye worse?

Touching, squeezing, or neglecting proper eyelid hygiene can aggravate a stye. It is best to keep the area clean and allow it to heal naturally.

Do styes bleed?

Styes generally do not bleed. However, attempting to squeeze or pop a stye may cause bleeding and increase the risk of infection.

What happens if you pop a stye?

A stye may eventually come to a head and drain on its own as part of the natural healing process. It is important not to force this—popping a stye can worsen irritation or spread infection.

Are styes contagious?

Styes are not typically considered contagious. While the bacteria that cause them can spread through direct contact, the likelihood of transmitting a stye to another person is very low. https://www.visioncenter.org/blog/are-styes-contagious/ 

TL;DR - Stye - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

A stye is a small, often painful lump near the edge of the eyelid caused by a bacterial infection in an eyelash follicle or oil gland. While styes usually clear up on their own, keeping your eyes clean, avoiding touching or squeezing the lump, and using warm compresses can help ease discomfort and promote healing. If a stye persists or affects your vision, it’s important to seek advice from an eye care professional.

Note: The content is intended for users in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.

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Last updated 12/07/2024.