Sty

A sty is a painful and purulent nodule on the edge of the eyelid or on the inner surface of the eyelid. The cause is an acute bacterial infection of the glands by staphylococci. The disease, as a rule, passes on its own within 1-2 weeks along with the discharge of pus.

Symptoms

A sty manifests as a painful and inflamed swelling of a gland on the edge of the eyelid or its inner surface along with redness and pus formation. Possible complaints also include an unpleasant sensation of a foreign body, eyelid swelling, tearing, irritation and inflammation, and conjunctivitis. Occasionally, a sty can affect several glands simultaneously and recur periodically. Further complications – spread of infection to the nearby skin and appearance of a chalazion (grain).

Causes

The basis of the disease is an acute bacterial infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Occasionally other bacteria are involved. When the sebaceous glands and sweat glands on the edge of the eyelid are affected, it is called an external sty (Hordeolum externum). Infection of the Meibomian glands on the inner surface of the eyelid is described as an internal sty (Hordeolum internum). The pathogens are transmitted, for example, through contamination or in connection with marginal blepharitis.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made based on the clinical picture and after taking a bacterial culture. A painless nodule indicates a chalazion. Other possible differential diagnoses: marginal blepharitis, conjunctivitis, foreign body, or xanthoma.

Non-medicinal treatment

A sty usually subsides on its own within 7-14 days. After maturation, it empties and heals. Medicinal treatment can be alleviated with the help of heat (irradiation with red light) or an incision to rupture the pus. Also in self-treatment, warm compresses are used, applied multiple times throughout the day. Hygiene of the eyelid and massage are recommended. It is worth avoiding squeezing and additional irritation from cosmetics or contact lenses. Hands should be constantly washed with soap.

Medicinal treatment

Usually, antibiotic eye drops or ointments are used to inhibit the spread of infection. Oral antibiotics are used in cases of severe or complicated disease progression.