Stye on the Eye: What It Is, How It Looks, and Signs

A stye on the eye is a small painful lump on the eyelid or inside the eyelid that usually resolves on its own within a week. This is the name for an acute purulent inflammation of the hair follicle of an eyelash or of the sebaceous gland at its root. Below: how it looks, why it appears, and when a doctor is needed.

What a stye on the eye is (hordeolum)

The medical name for a stye is hordeolum. It refers to an acute purulent inflammation of the hair follicle of an eyelash or of the sebaceous gland of Zeis, which is located near the root of the eyelashes. An internal stye is the name for inflammation of a lobule of the meibomian gland — a gland of the eyelid cartilage that opens at its margin.

The cause is a bacterial infection: in 90–95 percent of cases the causative agent is Staphylococcus aureus. A stye more often occurs with weakened immunity, for example after colds.

How a stye looks: external and internal

A painful, circumscribed swelling, edema, and redness of the conjunctiva of the eyelid — the thin membrane covering the inner surface of the eyelid — appear at the eyelid margin. The skin around it may be swollen and red, and yellowish pus is visible inside the lump; on dark skin, redness is harder to notice. The eye itself is often red and watery, but vision should not be affected by a stye.

After two to four days, a yellowish head forms at the top of the swelling. An external stye forms at the root of an eyelash; an internal one forms within the thickness of the eyelid on the conjunctival side, where it opens; inflammation in the internal form is less acute. Usually one eye is affected, but several styes at once also occur, including on both eyes.

Why a stye appears: causes

Bacteria from the skin penetrate the hair follicle of an eyelash or a gland of the eyelid and cause purulent inflammation there. Long-standing blepharitis — inflammation of the eyelid margins — and rosacea, a skin condition with facial redness, contribute to this. Risk factors include general chilling of the body, endocrine disorders, and chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms and signs of a stye

The main sign is tenderness at one point on the eyelid, not spread throughout the entire eye. Inflammation and swelling of the eyelid margin persist for several days until a head forms.

• a painful swelling on the eyelid or inside the eyelid;
• redness and swelling of the skin around the lump, a yellowish head at the top;
• redness of the eye and tearing, while vision is not reduced;
• in some cases headache, increased body temperature, and enlargement of the nearest lymph nodes.

How a stye differs from a chalazion, blepharitis, and other conditions

If there is no lump on the eyelid and the eye or eyelid is simply swollen, red, and watery, this is more likely conjunctivitis — inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye — or blepharitis. A chalazion, that is, chronic inflammation of the cartilage around the meibomian gland, behaves differently: a dense formation is almost painless, the skin is not fused with it, and it is mainly a cosmetic defect. Sometimes a chalazion develops specifically after an internal stye. A large stye itself can interfere with vision. Squeezing out pus is unacceptable: this spreads the infection toward the orbit, and in rare cases it leads to orbital phlegmon — purulent inflammation of its tissues — cavernous sinus thrombosis of the brain, or meningitis. Another rare complication is eyelid cellulitis, diffuse inflammation of the eyelid.

When a stye requires a doctor's examination

A doctor's examination is needed if the stye does not resolve within several weeks. An appointment without delay is required when the stye is very painful or severely swollen, when vision is affected, when there is pus from the eye, or when the infection has spread to the eye and eyelid. The doctor examines the eyelid and, if necessary, refers to an ophthalmologist — a doctor who treats eye diseases.

A stye by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance. You should call 103 or 112 if, against the background of a stye, the condition worsens and there are signs of infection spread: headache, increased body temperature, deterioration of well-being.

This material is for reference: it helps you understand what you are dealing with, but does not replace a doctor's consultation.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer