A stye is a small, painful bump on the outside or inside of the eyelid. Styes often look like pimples. A stye may be a different color than the surrounding skin due to swelling. If a stye has a white spot in the center, it means there is pus inside.
A stye can feel painful, tender, and may cause the eye to water. Chalazia cysts are another type of bump that can appear on the eyelid. These are not painful.
What causes a stye?
Styes are quite common. They are caused by a bacterial infection of an eyelash follicle. In contrast, chalazia are caused by blocked glands in the eyelid.
How is a stye treated?
Styes usually disappear on their own. They generally grow and release pus before going away. At Clínica Nivaria, with the help of our ophthalmologists in Santa Cruz de Tenerife , we'll tell you some things you can do to help your stye heal faster:
- Hold a warm compress against your closed eyelid for 2 to 5 minutes. This can help open the blockage. Ideally, use a clean facial cleanser that has been moistened with very warm water. Be careful not to burn yourself, but make sure the water is as warm as you can comfortably tolerate. Do this up to 20 times a day, gently massaging your eyelid. Always make sure your eye is closed when you do this.
- Keep the area around your eye clean by gently washing your eyelid with water.
- You can also clean your eyelid using a damp cotton ball to wipe away any discharge. Do not use dry cotton balls or a tissue to clean your eyelid, as this could scratch it.
- Try not to wear eye makeup or contact lenses until the stye has cleared up, as this can irritate your eye and further block the glands.
- Try not to rub, pick, squeeze, or scratch the stye, as this could cause the infection to spread. Avoid using sharp objects, such as tweezers, around your eyes.
When should you visit us at our clinic?
You should make an appointment with one of our specialists if you experience:
- A stye that doesn't get better after a couple of days.
- A stye that obstructs your field of vision.
- Red, swollen, and painful skin around the stye.
- Other problems include fever, eye discharge, nausea, headache, or loss of appetite.
Antibiotics are generally not used to treat styes. If a stye lasts longer than 3 months, one of our ophthalmologists may need to remove it.
Can styes be prevented?
Some cosmetic and hygiene choices increase the risk of developing a stye. Ways to prevent styes include:
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Avoid touching your eyes.
- Avoid using old cosmetics and sleeping with makeup on.
- If you wear contact lenses, make sure your hands are clean before touching them and disinfect them every night before going to bed.
Some skin conditions, such as blepharitis and rosacea, can increase the risk of developing a stye.
Complications of a stye in the eye
If the stye infection spreads to the surrounding skin, it's called cellulitis. You'll need antibiotics to treat it. Rarely, the infection can spread closer to the eye; this is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.
If you or a member of your family is suffering from a stye or chalazion, we welcome you to our Ophthalmology Clinic located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife . Contact us and schedule an appointment with one of our professionals. You'll receive the best ophthalmological care in the Canary Islands!
