What is an external eyelid stye? An external eyelid stye is a red, painful bump on the surface area of the eyelid. The bump may look like a pimple and be tender to the touch.
An external stye can appear anywhere on the eyelid. However, it is more than likely to form near the edge of the eye, where the eyelashes satisfy the eyelid. The condition is more common in children.
An external eyelid stye is typically caused by an infection as a result of a clogged oil gland. Eyelids have numerous oil glands that preserve a steady level of wetness in the eyes and that get rid of foreign particles in the eyes by producing tears.
These glands can in some cases end up being clogged with old oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. When this occurs, the substances and germs start to develop in the gland, triggering an infection. The result is a small, red bump on the eyelid. This growth might be swollen and painful.
An external eyelid stye can last for several days before it bursts and after that heals. Some styes may recover without treatment (don’t despair), while others might require medical treatment.
What are the Symptoms of an External Eyelid Stye?
The symptoms caused by external eyelid styes can differ from person to person. In general, however, styes are most often determined by the presence of a red swelling on the eyelid. Other symptoms frequently connected with a stye include:
- gritty sensation in the eye
- eye pain or inflammation
- eye tearing or leak
- swollen eyelid
- light sensitivity
- redness and pain at the edge of the eyelid.
Although these symptoms are related to external styes, they can also be a sign of other eye infections. It’s essential to call your doctor as quickly as possible to get a proper diagnosis.
What Causes an External Eyelid Stye?
An external eyelid stye can form when an oil gland in the eyelid becomes infected. The infection is frequently caused by Staphylococcus bacteria. These bacteria usually live around the surface area of the eyelid without triggering any damage. Nevertheless, when a gland ends up being clogged with dead skin cells or old oil, these bacteria can end up being caught in the gland and cause an infection.
The infection might occur in the following areas:
- eyelash roots: This is a small hole in the skin that a specific eyelash grows out of.
- sebaceous gland: This gland is attached to the eyelash roots and produces an oily compound called sebum, which oils the eyelashes to prevent them from drying out.
- apocrine gland: This gland is attached to the eyelash hair follicle and helps keep the eye from becoming too dry.
People are most likely to establish a stye if they have a chronic inflammatory eye condition, such as blepharitis. Those who rub their eyes typically with unwashed hands are also at an increased risk. Given that children have the tendency to have the most direct contact with bacteria and may not constantly clean their hands completely, they are more at risk for external styes than adults.
How is an External Eyelid Stye Diagnosed?
Your doctor can detect an external eyelid stye just by analyzing the look of your eye. They might likewise ask your symptoms. Most of the times, no other testing is needed.
How is an External Eyelid Stye Treated?
In a lot of cases, an external eyelid stye will go away by itself (don’t despair). Your doctor might recommend specific natural home remedy to speed up your recovery time.
They may inform you to put warm compresses over the stye. To do this, soak a clean washcloth in warm water. Wring out the excess water then place the washcloth over the affected eyelid. This ought to be done 3 to 4 times per day for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Applying heat motivates the stye to release any pus, which will help drain the fluid and get rid of the infection from the oil gland.
Your doctor might likewise recommend using an antibiotic cream if you have more than one stye, or if you continue to get styes on your eyelid.
During treatment, it’s crucial to avoid squeezing and rubbing the stye. This can damage your eye and spread out the infection to other areas of the eye.
If you usually use contact lenses, you ought to switch to glasses till your stye goes away. Make sure to discard your old contact lenses and to use brand-new ones after the condition clears.
It’s also recommended that you prevent recycling any makeup worn right before the stye developed. The makeup might bring bacteria that can cause another infection.
If the stye doesn’t disappear with antibiotics or other treatments, your doctor might need to surgically eliminate it. This is an unusual incident.
Will My External Eyelid Stye Go Away?
In most cases, an external eyelid stye will go away by itself within a few days (only by the Will of Allah). Even when treatment is required, the stye will ultimately vanish without causing any complications.
Home Remedies for Eye Stye
Sties are rarely a serious medical concern, however they can be quite irritating. A stye is a red bump, sort of like a pimple that forms on the outdoors edge of your eyelid. Although, often sties can form inside your eyelid also.
Your eyelids have great deals of tiny oil glands, which can end up being clogged by dead skin, dirt, or oil accumulation. When a gland is obstructed, bacteria can grow within. This is what causes a stye to establish.
Symptoms of a stye include pain and swelling, increased tear production, and a crust that forms around they eyelid. Sties normally disappear after about 7 to 10 days with easy home treatment. Here are some methods you can treat and avoid sties.
Wash Your Hands
Rubbing your eyes with unclean hands can present dirt or other particles that may obstruct oil glands or irritate an existing stye. To prevent sties, wash your hands with soap and water prior to touching your eyes.
Don’t Squeeze
It may appear tempting to pop a stye, however squeezing it can cause more problems. Releasing the pus will likely spread out the infection. Let the stye drain on its own or have a medical professional drain it for you.
Use a Warm Washcloth
Wet a tidy washcloth with warm (not hot) water. Wring the fabric so it’s wet and not leaking. Then place it over your eye for about 5 to 10 minutes. You can do this 3 to 4 times each day. The warmth helps dissolve the pus and allows the stye to drain naturally.
Go Natural
Do not aim to put makeup over a stye. It can postpone the recovery process by aggravating the eye even more. You might likewise get bacteria from the stye on your makeup pencils and brushes, which might spread the infection to your other eye.
If you wear contact lenses, stick to glasses till your stye heals. Bacteria from the stye can get onto the contacts and spread the infection.
Baby Shampoo
Cleaning your eyelids might help to avoid future styes. Pick a tear-free baby hair shampoo, blend it with a little bit of warm water, and carefully rub out your eyelids using a cotton swab or clean washcloth. You can do this every day or more.
Toss Old Makeup
Old makeup can be a breeding place for bacteria. Wash your multiple-use brushes regularly and throw away any mascara, liquid eye liner, and eye shadow that are over 3 months old.
Teabag Compress
Rather of using a warm fabric compress, you can use a warm teabag. Green tea works best since it helps reduce swelling and has some anti-bacterial properties.
Boil water and drop the teabag in a mug as if you were making tea to drink. Let the tea high for about one minute. Then wait till the teabag cools enough to place over your eye. Keep it on your eye for about 5 to 10 minutes. Use a different teabag for each eye.
Over the Counter Painkillers
Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help to ease symptoms if your stye hurts. Follow the guidelines from the maker to make sure you’re taking the proper dosage.
When to See a Doctor
If your stye ends up being bigger, more painful, or doesn’t clear up a few days after starting home treatment, contact your doctor. In some cases sties have to be expertly drained. Your doctor may also prescribe an antibiotic cream.
How Can an External Eyelid Stye Be Prevented?
An external eyelid stye cannot always be prevented. However, you can reduce your risk by taking the following preventive measures:
- washing the eyelids every day with warm water
- decontaminating contact lenses and changing them regularly
- entirely eliminating all eye makeup prior to going to bed
- preventing sharing towels or washcloths with anyone who has a stye.
Good luck! Have a nice weekend.
