What is a Stye?
A stye, also known as stye or hordeolum, is an acute infection of the oil glands of the eyelid or the hair follicle at the base of an eyelash. Symptoms of a stye are redness, tenderness, and pain in the affected area, with the development of pus in the later stages. Stress, skin conditions, and other chronic diseases like diabetes are known to precipitate the formation of a stye. You can also get a stye if you have blepharitis i.e. a condition that makes your eyelids at the base of the eyelashes red and swollen.
Chalazion or Eye cyst as medically termed is a little lump on the lower or upper eyelids which is caused by the inflammation of the gland found in the lids. Consistency may be firm, soft, or fluid-filled. This condition is also known as a tarsal cyst, meibomian cyst, and conjunctival granuloma. It is a slow enlargement of the nodule on the eyelid that is formed by inflammation and obstruction of a sebaceous gland. Chalazia tend to be larger, less painful, and occur less acutely than hordeolum. A stye usually ruptures and resolves within a few days, whereas chalazia may persist for several weeks or months.
What causes Stye in eye?
The tiny openings of the eyelid glands may be clogged due to the hardening of the secretions near the openings. The lids swell, as the glands continue to secrete the sebum, which then in turn inflames the eyelids. Swelling and enlargement are known as chalazion or eye cyst.
This is common for dry-skinned persons. If bacteria infect the clogged opening then the gland can become infected. When this occurs, it is called stye (hordeolum). This looks like a pimple and is tender to touch. Unlike chalazion, there is absolutely no infection of the gland. However, it may precede a stye if not managed early.
How to treat a Stye? Eye Stye treatment.
Most eye cysts are treated with a warm compress that protects the affected eyelids. This is to promote the circulation of blood to the inflamed area thus hasting its healing. Additionally, most doctors would prescribe an ointment or drops of antibiotics to prevent infection. This is applied to the compresses immediately after. There are cases where surgery is needed. This happens when the cyst of the eye persists and causes the lids to swell.
Styes are painful and ugly. But they are just a blocked oil gland on your eyelid and should go away on their own or with simple treatment in a few days while Chalazia, Infected oil glands, which look like styes, frequently dissolve on their own too. But it could take a month or more for them to completely go away.
It is noteworthy that you don’t squeeze the eye when showing symptoms of stye and chalazion, let the lump burst on its own. Some styes spread skin infections when they pop. If that happens, you will have to take antibiotics to cure yourself.
The content on the website of eyeglobe.org, including, but not limited to, the text, graphics, images, links, and other materials are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and does not constitute medical or other professional advice. Eyeglobe.org does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the website.