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A stye on the eye, also called a stye, is a fairly common health problem that can occur in people of all ages. In this article, we will discuss how it occurs, what it looks like, what its symptoms are, its causes, how long it lasts and how it progresses, what treatment methods are available, what home remedies you can use and how to prevent stye from forming on the eye.
Stye on the eye – how is it caused? where can it appear?
A stye on the eye usually results from an infection of the sebaceous gland or hair follicle in the eyelid area. Bacteria, most often of the Staphylococcus genus, are the main causes of infection. Styes can appear on both the upper and lower eyelids. The infection may spread from another area of the skin or result from contamination, e.g. when we touch our eyes with dirty hands.
Stye of the eye – what does it look like and how does it manifest itself?
A stye on the eye is usually visible as a painful, red, swollen lump or a small lump on the eyelid. Symptoms of a stye may include:
- Pain and burning around the eyelid
- Swelling of the eyelid
- Red skin color around the stye
- Sensitivity to touch
- Discharge from the eye
Causes of stye on the eye – what does it cause?
The most common cause of stye on the eye is a bacterial infection, but there are many predisposing factors that can increase the risk of its occurrence. Belong to them:
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Weakened immunity
- Using contaminated eye cosmetics
- Frequently touching your eyes with dirty hands
- Improper removal of makeup
Stye on the eye – how long does it last and how does it progress?
A stye on the eye usually lasts from a few days to two weeks, although it may sometimes be accompanied by recurrent infections. The course of a stye is usually as follows:
- The appearance of a painful lump on the eyelid
- Swelling and redness around the lump
- The lump bursts and pus is released
- Gradual improvement in health
Eye stye treatment – when should you see a doctor?
In most cases, styes can be treated at home, but there are situations that require consulting a doctor. You should see a specialist if:
- A stye does not improve after a few days of home treatment
- Serious symptoms develop, such as significant swelling, fever, or changes in vision
- Styes come back often or persist for a long time
For a simple stye, your doctor may recommend antibiotics or antibacterial ointments. If the lump is large and very painful, it may need to be surgically opened and drained.
Home remedies for barley
For mild styes, there are some home remedies you can try to help speed healing and relieve symptoms. Here are some recommendations:
- Applying warm compresses to the eye for 15-20 minutes several times a day
- Avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands
- Regular hygiene of the eyelids and eye area
- Avoiding the use of eye cosmetics during the infection
How to prevent stye from developing?
To prevent barley from forming on the eye, it is worth following a few simple rules:
- Take care of your personal hygiene, especially around the eyes
- Avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands
- Do not use contaminated eye cosmetics
- Remove eye makeup before going to bed
- Always have clean towels and pillows
Your suggestions
If you have any suggestions of your own for treating or preventing stye on your eye, please share them in the comments. It is worth exchanging experiences and helping each other deal with this problem.
Recommended articles
If you want to learn more about eye health, we also recommend reading our other articles on the subject:
- “How to take care of eye hygiene and avoid infections?”
- “Visual disorders – causes and treatments”
- “Contact lenses vs. glasses – which choice is better?”
Remember that eye health is extremely important, so it is worth being aware and taking care of them appropriately, responding to any disturbing symptoms.