Stye: causes and therapies

An unpleasant surprise in the mirror: the eye is swollen, red, sore. It could be a stye, an infection not to be overlooked.

Stye is an infection of the sebaceous glands of the eyelashes usually caused by a bacterium of the staphylococci family. It can occur on the eyelid rim, but also inside it, depending on the gland attacked, and is the reaction to the occlusion of the excretory ducts.

Beware of handkerchiefs

Among the causes of the appearance of a stye may be inadequately treated conjunctivitis, a predisposition that is exacerbated in case of prolonged stress, blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid) or poor hygiene.

It is enough, in fact, to touch the eye with dirty hands to risk infection. And since staphylococcus usually stays in the nose, it is more frequent that the stye appears at the same time as a cold or allergic rhinitis, that is, when large use of handkerchiefs is made.

It manifests itself at first with a vague sense of eye heaviness, redness and discomfort in the eyelids. Once the actual stye appears, that is, a more or less small “ball”, it is necessary to avoid pressing or crushing it.

It is a contagious infection, so it is better not to share with other people towels, sunglasses, makeup, etc. For as long as the infection persists, it is advisable to give up eye makeup and replace contact lenses with glasses.

Increased sensitivity to light, tearing and the feeling of having a foreign body in the eye are part of the symptoms.

The stye does not cause damage to vision, which may, however, be slightly limited in the eyelid swelling phase.

When the antibiotic is needed

To heal it is necessary that the stye, just like a pimple or an abscess, is freed from the pus created inside it. This happens without the need for any intervention, in a physiological way, but it is necessary to keep the periocular area always clean.

However, to promote the excretion process, warm/lukewarm compresses based on saline, simple chamomile or euphrasia can be applied. The effect is achieved by keeping the compress on the eye at least 5 minutes at a time, several times a day.

If the situation does not improve in a few days or if the swelling spreads, it becomes imperative to seek medical attention because it is likely that you will have to resort to an antibiotic, in the form of eye drops or ophthalmic ointment. Your doctor will tell you which one to choose between different active ingredients.

In case of relapses, not unusual, it may be useful to use an antibacterial cream.