Stye: A stye, also known as a hordeolum, is a is a small, painful lump (cyst) on the inside or outside of the eyelid.Styes are usually caused by a bacterial infection of an oil gland in the eyelid.
Types of stye
There are two types of stye:
- External stye– a swelling that develops along the edge of your eyelid.
- Internal stye – a swelling that develops on the inside of your eyelid.
Causes of Stye
Styes are ordinarily induced by a staphylococcal infection. Staphylococcus bacteria frequently live on the skin without making any harm.Styes occur while a gland in or on the eyelid becomes plugged or obstructed. This can happen if the gland’s opening is blocked by scar tissue or a foreign substance (dust, makeup ).
Internal styes can happen when the meibomian glands enhance infected. These glands are located on the eyelids and produce an oily secretion, which offers up part of the tear film that coats your eye. If the meibomian glands become obstructed, a cyst can occur, which can develop infected.
Symptoms of Stye
- Painful yellow lump on or in the eyelid
- Foreign body sensation in the eye (particularly with blinking)
- Redness of the skin overlying the eyelid bump
- light sensitivity
- Swelling and puffy appearance of the eyelid.
- Watery eye, in some cases
Treatment of Stye
Most styes get normal without treatment within one to three weeks. In the meantime, the below strategies should help alleviate your symptoms.
Warm Compress
A warm compress held smoothly against the eye may support ease the symptoms. A warm compress is a cloth warmed with hot water that can be placed against the affected eye.
Regularly applying warm compresses as part of your daily routine can also further prevent styes forming in the first place.
Painkillers
If your stye is very painful, paracetamol or ibuprofen may help ease the pain.