Eye Stye Symptoms
Here’s info on both chalazion (a cyst, usually inflamed, of the eyelid) &
sties:
• sty: a red, hot, tender, uncomfortable, and sometimes painful swelling near the edge of the eyelid.
• chalazion: a relatively painless, smooth, round bump within a fat gland
of the eyelid.
A sty is a pimple or abscess on the upper or lower edge of the eyelid that
signals an infected eyelid gland. Although sties are usually on the outside
of the lid, they can also occur on the underside. An external sty starts as
a pimple next to an eyelash. It turns into a red, painful swelling that usually
lasts several days before it bursts and then heals. Most external sties are
short-lived.
An internal sty (on the underside of the lid) also causes a red, painful swelling,
but its location prevents the pus from appearing on the eyelid.
The sty may disappear completely once the infection is past, or it may leave
a small fluid-filled cyst or nodule that can persist and may have to be cut
open. A chalazion is also a sign of an infected eyelid gland, but unlike a sty,
it is a firm, round, smooth, painless bump usually some distance from the edge
of the lid. Sties and chalazions are usually harmless and rarely affect your
eye or sight. They can occur at any age and tend to recur elsewhere in the lid.
CAUSES
Sties are usually caused by staphylococcal bacteria, which often live in your
nostrils. You can transfer the bacteria to your eyelids just by touching your
nose and then rubbing your eyes. A chalazion is caused by the blockage of the
tiny gland duct that helps lubricate the eyelid. Bacteria may grow within the
blocked gland; the resulting inflammation causes the hard bump.
TREATMENT
While painful and unsightly, most sties heal within a few days on their ownor
with simple treatment. Chalazions, too, often disappear on their own, but it
might take a month or more.
CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
Typical treatment for a sty consists of applying warm compresses to the affected eye for 10 to 15 minutes four times daily for several days. This not only relieves pain and inflammation but also helps the sty ripen faster. Be sure to close your eye while you apply the compresses. When the sty comes to a head, continue applying warm compresses to relieve pressure and promote rupture.
Do not squeeze the sty; let it burst on its own. If sties recur, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment or solution. Apply it to the eyelid (with your eye closed) as directed. Sometimes, if there are staphylococcal infections elsewhere in your body as well, your doctor may prescribe an oral systemic antibiotic such as erythromycin. If these conservative treatments fail, surgical removal of the sty may be required.
Minor surgery may also be needed to eliminate the cyst that could result from an internal sty. After using a local anesthetic, your ophthalmologist opens the cyst and removes the contents. The eyelid usually heals quickly. Although a chalazion will often disappear on its own, applying warm compresses and perhaps a corticosteroid ointment will speed the process.
The chalazion can also be removed through simple surgery under a local anesthetic. Your doctor then covers the eye for 8 to 24 hours with a pressure patch to control bleeding and swelling.
ALTERNATIVE CHOICES
Although some alternative treatments may be helpful in relieving and preventing eyelid infections, never put any preparations in the eye itself unless specifically directed by a physician. The surface of the eye is easily damaged by some antiseptics and medications. When applying any lotions or compresses to the eyelid, keep your eye closed.
ACUPUNCTURE
In traditional Chinese medicine it is believed that all types of boils, including
sties, are caused by heat invasion. To diffuse the heat, a trained acupuncturist
may insert needles into BL 54, SP 10, and LI 11.
HERBAL THERAPIES
To help reduce the pain and inflammation of sties, herbalists recommend professionally prepared eye drops made from eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis). They may also prescribe an oral preparation of burdock (Arctium lappa).**Note: When my husband has had this problem I make a strong tea of raspberry leaves and he uses it as an eyebath – very successfully, too.
NUTRITION AND DIET
If you have recurrent sties and chalazions, a nutritionist may recommend that you take supplements of vitamins A and C, which seem to promote healthy skin.
You might also want to try a system-cleansing diet, consuming only raw fruits
and vegetables, yogurt, herbal teas, fruit juices, and mineral water for up
to a week. Naturopaths believe that this diet, repeated at regular intervals,
may keep sties from developing.
AT-HOME REMEDIES
Apply warm compresses four times daily for 10 to 15 minutes for several days for both sties and chalazions. When the sty has come to a head, it will spontaneously rupture. You can also make a compress by wetting a tea bag with warm water and placing it on your eyelid, with your eye closed, for 5 minutes three to four times a day.
PREVENTION
If sties tend to recur, you need to cleanse the outside of your eyelids daily.
Put a few drops of very mild baby shampoo into a teacup of warm water and stir. Using a cotton swab, gently brush the mixture over your eyelid once a day, keeping your lids closed. It is very important that you avoid contact of the eyelid with cosmetics, dirty towels, or contaminatedhands.
Frequent application of warm compresses at the first sign of an infection
will prevent further blockage of the lid glands. To keep the infection from
spreading to other members of your household, be sure to use a clean, disposable cloth for compresses and do not share washcloths or towels.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF:
• either type of swelling does not subside within a few weeks.
• the swelling interferes with your vision.
• you have pain in the eye.
• you have recurrent sties. A sty can be a symptom of other ailments such
as diabetes and chronic skin problems.
