Styes
A stye, or hordeolum, is an inflamed oil gland on the edge of your eyelid, where the lash meets the lid. It is usually red and tender, especially to the touch. Hordeolums can be internal and appear as a large lump, or they can be external and appear to look like a pimple with a “head”.
A stye is caused by bacteria from the skin that gets into the oil glands in the eyelids. Styes usually develop over a few days and may drain and heal on their own. Occasionally, a stye may become a chalazion. At that point, a chalazion is generally not tender or red anymore, but the bump remains. These may last for months, and usually will need to be lanced in the office.
Styes can be treated by applying warm compresses for ten minutes at a time, two to four times a day. Consistent heat from a heating pad or compress is important. A wet warm face cloth does not hold the heat long enough to improve symtoms. Sometimes, an eye doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment to be used and will often recommend that you do NOT attempt to squeeze or “pop” the stye as this may increase the chances of infection. They can take seven to ten days to heal. The over-the-counter ointments for styes can worsen your symptoms.
You should call your eye doctor if the bump: