Stye - Infection of one of the glands in the lid margin

A stye is an infection of the glands on the inside or outside margin of the eyelid.  It typically appears as red bump (abscess filled with pus) on the eyelid. Indications of styes are redness, swelling, tenderness and pain around infected area of the eye.  Commonly caused by a blockage of oil glands near the eyelashes and is tender and can be painful. You may be more prone to styes is you have skin conditions such as acne rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis, have a medical condition such as diabetes and/or never remove makeup properly or use old contaminated makeup.

If you are unsure of whether you have a stye or not, look for symptoms like redness, localized pain and swelling, a bump on the lid and irritation of the eye. You may also experience blurred vision, discomfort blinking and crusting of the eyelid margins. It’s important to keep your hands clean when touching your eyes and to gently cleanse the eye with water regularly to prevent this condition.  Some people get more than one stye at a time.

There are two types of styes: external hordeolum and internal hordeolum. Both are usually caused by staphylococcus a type of bacterial.  Styes are not contagious.  A chalazion is a cyst that develops in the oil glands near the eyelid.  People with recurring styes may develop staph blepharitis, a chronic eyelid infection.  Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid caused by infection, allergies, and untreated chalazion.

The best way of treating a stye is through the application of hot warm compresses with our Stye Kit and gentle cleansing with Tea Tree Foaming facial cleanser. The hot moist compress helps the clogged gland to open and drain the white or yellow discharge.  If the gland opens, gentle message around the stye to help it drain.  Do not squeeze it.  Use our Stye Care Kit and Tea Tree Foaming facial cleanser to treat your styes twice daily unless otherwise instructed. Remember to wash hand thoroughly.  If there is no improvement see your Optometerist.