How to know if it is sty and what to do

The sty is an inflammation of the eyelid that usually occurs when there is an infection by bacteria, changes in the functioning of the eyelid glands or excess oil in the eyes, causing symptoms such as a small swelling, redness, discomfort and itching.

Scientifically, the stye is known as a hordeolus, and it can be external, when it affects the Zeiss or Mol glands of the eye, or internal, when it develops in the Meibomius gland, and can also be known as chalazion.

Although it can be very uncomfortable, in most cases, the stye does not need a specific treatment, as it disappears after about 5 to 7 days. However, it is advisable to place hot compresses on the spot to relieve symptoms. When the inflammation does not disappear after 8 days, it is advisable to consult an ophthalmologist or a dermatologist to start a more specific treatment, which may include antibiotics.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms that help to identify a sty are:

• Sensitivity, feeling of dust in the eye, itching and pain at the edge of the eyelid; Emergence of a small rounded, painful and swollen area, with a small yellow spot in the center; Increased temperature in the region; Sensitivity to light and watery eyes.

In the case of the internal stye, which can also be known as chalazion, the lesion is a little deeper and, therefore, a yellow dot in the center is generally not observed, being more common the appearance of swelling and stronger pain.

Who is most at risk of sty

The sty is usually more common in adolescents, due to hormone dysregulation, in the elderly, as well as in people who have excess oil in their skin or who have another inflammation of the eyelid.

What to do when a stye is suspected

The sty, normally, does not need medicines to cure and, therefore, the treatment can be done at home, following some recommendations, such as:

• Clean the area around the eyes, and do not allow too much secretion to accumulate; Apply warm compresses to the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day; Do not squeeze or move the area too much, as it may worsen inflammation; Do not use makeup or contact lenses, stop not spreading the lesion, getting bigger, and not making it last longer.

See more details and tips on how to treat the stye at home.

The stye usually disinfects or drains on its own in about 5 days, and does not usually last more than 1 week. The signs of improvement are a reduction in swelling, pain and redness. Some cases, however, are more serious, and may last longer and worsen the infection, therefore, one should pay attention to the signs and seek care from an ophthalmologist or dermatologist.

When to go to the doctor

To identify if the stye is more severe and seek medical attention, one should be aware of some signs, such as:

• The inflammation spreads over the face, showing a large red, hot and painful area; The eyes are very red and irritated; The vision is decreased; The stye does not disappear in 7 days.

After evaluation, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment or eye drop and, in some cases, it is even necessary to use antibiotics orally. There are also few more serious cases in which minor surgery may be required to drain the sty pus.