Stye facts for kids

Stye of the upper eyelid

Styes, also called hordeolum, are small, red bumps that form on your eyelid. They are usually caused by an infection at the base of an eyelash or in one of the tiny oil glands in your eyelid. Styes can appear on the upper or lower eyelid, and they might be on the outside or inside of the lid. They are usually small and don't last very long. While anyone can get a stye, they are quite common in infants and young people. Styes can be triggered by rubbing your eyes or sometimes by poor hygiene. With simple care, they often clear up in about four days, but they can last up to two weeks without treatment.

What Causes Styes?

Styes are most often caused by a type of bacteria called Staphylococcus. These bacteria are commonly found on our skin. A stye forms when one of the oil glands in your eyelid gets blocked and infected.

• Blocked oil glands: Your eyelids have tiny oil glands that help keep your eyes moist. If one of these glands gets clogged with dead skin cells or old oil, bacteria can grow inside.
• Touching your eyes: Rubbing your eyes with unwashed hands can transfer bacteria from your hands to your eyelids.
• Old makeup: Using old eye makeup, especially mascara or eyeliner, can also introduce bacteria to your eyes.
• Poor hygiene: Not washing your face regularly can allow bacteria to build up around your eyes.

What Are the Symptoms of a Stye?

A stye usually starts as a small, red, tender bump on the edge of your eyelid. It might look a bit like a pimple.

• Redness and swelling: The area around the stye will look red and might swell up.
• Pain: Styes can be painful or tender to the touch.
• Tearing: Your eye might water more than usual.
• Scratchy feeling: It might feel like something is in your eye.
• Light sensitivity: Sometimes, your eye might be more sensitive to bright lights.

As the stye develops, it might form a small, yellowish spot in the center, which is pus. Eventually, the stye will usually break open and drain, and then it will start to heal.

How to Treat a Stye?

Most styes can be treated at home with simple steps. It's important to be gentle and patient.

• Warm compresses: This is the most important treatment. Soak a clean washcloth in warm (not hot) water. Wring out the extra water and place the warm cloth over your closed eye for 5 to 10 minutes. Do this 3 to 4 times a day. The warmth helps to open the blocked gland and allows the pus to drain.
• Keep it clean: Gently clean your eyelid with mild soap and water, or a special eyelid cleanser. Do this daily to remove any crusting.
• Avoid makeup and contact lenses: While you have a stye, it's best to avoid wearing eye makeup or contact lenses. This helps prevent further irritation or spreading the infection.
• Do not squeeze or pop: Never try to squeeze or pop a stye, even if it looks like a pimple. This can make the infection worse or spread it to other parts of your eye. Let it drain on its own.
• Pain relief: If the stye is painful, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, if allowed by your parents.

How to Prevent Styes?

Good hygiene is key to preventing styes from forming.

• Wash your hands: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your eyes.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes: Try not to rub your eyes, especially if your hands are not clean.
• Clean your eyelids: If you get styes often, cleaning your eyelids daily with a mild, tear-free baby shampoo or a special eyelid cleanser can help.
• Change eye makeup: Replace eye makeup, especially mascara and eyeliner, every 3 to 6 months. Bacteria can grow in old makeup.
• Remove makeup: Always remove all eye makeup before going to bed.
• Clean contact lenses: If you wear contact lenses, always clean them properly and follow your eye doctor's instructions for care.

When to See a Doctor?

Most styes go away on their own or with home treatment. However, sometimes you might need to see a doctor.

• Stye gets worse: If the stye gets bigger, more painful, or doesn't start to improve after a few days of home treatment.
• Affects vision: If the stye starts to affect your vision or makes it blurry.
• Spreads: If the redness or swelling spreads to other parts of your face.
• Returns often: If you get styes very often, a doctor can help figure out why and suggest ways to prevent them.
• Very large or painful: If the stye is unusually large or causes a lot of pain.

A doctor might prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment. In rare cases, a doctor might need to drain a stye that is very large or not going away.

See also

In Spanish: Orzuelo para niños