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Stye (also known as a hordeolum) is a common eye disorder characterized by a small, painful lump on the inside or outside of the eyelid. It is an infection of the oil glands in the eyelid, most often caused by bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus. Styes can affect anyone at any age, but they are particularly common in people who have conditions that increase the likelihood of eyelid oil gland blockage, such as blepharitis, acne, or rosacea.

Causes and Risk Factors

A stye develops due to a bacterial infection within the oil glands in the eyelid. The primary risk factors include:

• Poor hygiene, such as not washing hands before touching the eyes
• Use of old or contaminated makeup
• Chronic eyelid inflammation (blepharitis)
• Other skin conditions, such as acne or rosacea
• Stress and hormonal changes

Symptoms

The main symptoms of a stye include:

• A red, swollen lump on the eyelid
• Pain and tenderness in the affected area
• Eyelid swelling
• Tearing of the eye
• Sensitivity to light
• A feeling of a foreign body in the eye

Treatment

Treatment for a stye typically involves home remedies and self-care measures, such as:

• Applying warm compresses to the affected eyelid several times a day
• Keeping the eyelid clean and avoiding the use of makeup or contact lenses until the stye heals
• Gently massaging the eyelid to promote drainage, once the stye starts to heal

In cases where the stye does not improve with home treatment, or if it recurs frequently, medical intervention may be necessary. This can include:

• Antibiotic ointments or drops prescribed by a healthcare provider
• Steroid injections to reduce swelling
• Surgical drainage, in rare cases where the stye does not resolve on its own

Prevention

Preventive measures for styes focus on maintaining good eyelid hygiene. Recommendations include:

• Washing hands thoroughly before touching the eyes
• Removing makeup before going to bed
• Cleaning the eyelids with a gentle cleanser
• Avoiding the use of expired or contaminated eye makeup

See Also

• Blepharitis
• Chalazion, a similar condition often confused with styes
• Eye infections
• Eyelid disorders

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