Dr. Mercola: Stye: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

An Introduction to Stye: A Common Bacterial Infection of the Eyelid

    3,877 views

eye stye infection
Story at-a-glance

    Also known as hordeolum, a stye is an infection caused by the Staphylococcus bacteria. It’s considered one of the most common types of eyelid infections
    This condition affects the upper and/or lower eyelid, producing a small painful bump that resembles a pimple. Those who’ve had a stye initially experienced soreness and swelling in one eyelid

You’ve probably heard of “stye,” or perhaps you’ve experienced it yourself. It’s a very common infection that’s characterized by a small, painful lump on the eyelid. Anyone can get it, regardless of age, gender or race.1 It can be very uncomfortable to have, especially if it blocks your vision. But what exactly is a stye and why does it occur on the eyelid out of all places? To better understand this painful and annoying eye infection, let’s first discuss how your eyelids work.
How Your Eyelids Function and Why They Develop a Stye

The eyelids are probably one of the most underappreciated yet crucial parts of the body. From the outside, they simply look like a flap of skin. However, they actually play a crucial role in your eye health by providing these four primary functions:

• Protect the anterior surface of the eyeballs from injury

• Help regulate the amount of light that reaches the retina

• Distribute and maintain the protective tear film over the cornea

• Pump tears from the conjunctival and lacrimal sacs

Furthermore, your eyelids are made up of numerous parts, and among them are different types of sebaceous glands that secrete oil to help keep your eyes from drying. These oil glands are located inside and around the edges of the eyelids.

There are instances wherein dirt, oil and dead skin accumulate inside these oil glands, providing the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Once bacteria settle inside these oil glands, it won’t take long before a stye develops. The eyelash follicles around your eyelids can become infected with bacteria as well.2
A Quick Overview of Styes: Their Causes, Symptoms and Progression

Also known as hordeolum, a stye is an infection caused by the Staphylococcus bacteria. It’s considered one of the most common types of eyelid infections. In fact, an average person is likely to develop a style once or twice at some point in their life.3

This condition affects the upper and/or lower eyelid, producing a small painful bump that resembles a pimple. If you have a stye initially you will experience soreness and swelling in one eyelid. These sensations eventually become localized, after which the stye will appear as a pustule with mild erythema.

While a stye may cause pain and discomfort, it’s usually not serious and it often heals on its own within a few days even without treatment. However, there are rare cases wherein a stye may lead to serious eye problems, especially if it’s not properly taken care of.4
Open Your Eyes About Styes With the Help of These Pages

Even though a stye is just a short-term minor infection, it can still disrupt your daily activities, as it usually causes visual disturbance. It can even be a cause of embarrassment, since it may lead to cosmetic deformity,5 not to mention that it’s often filled with pus, which may rupture anytime.6

The good news is that you can keep a stye from worsening and possibly shorten its duration if you know how to manage it. Read these pages to learn more about this condition, its possible causes, the proper ways to diagnose it, the recommended treatment methods, and how you can keep it from recurring.

MORE ABOUT STYE

Stye: Introduction
   

What Is a Stye?
   

Stye Symptoms

Stye Causes
   

Stye Treatment
   

Stye Prevention

How to Get Rid of a Stye
   

Is a Stye Contagious?
   

How Long Do Styes Last?

Stye FAQ
   
   

Next
What Is A Stye?
+ Sources and References
Most Popular

    Brewing Your Own Nettle Tea
    Benefits of Caraway
    Thyme Tea Is Worth Your Time
    GMO Foods Ebook

Post your comment
Click Here and be the first to comment on this article
Subscribe to Dr. Mercola's Natural Health Newsletter

Thank you! Your purchases help us support these charities and organizations.

    Inside Mercola.com
    About Dr. Mercola
    Contact Us
    Employment Opportunities
    En Espanol
    Health Articles
    Health Videos
    Media Inquiries
    Mercola Community FAQ
    Mercola Social Responsibility
    Press Room
    Special Reports
    Terms & Conditions
    Updated Privacy Policy

    Special Info Sites
    Aspartame
    Cancer
    Fitness
    Fluoride
    Fructose/Sugar
    GMO
    Mercury
    Nutritional Typing
    Pets
    Vaccines
    Vitamin D

    Shopping
    Autoship Program
    California Supply Chains Act
    FAQs
    GMO-Free Products
    Healthy Rewards Program
    Low Price Guarantee
    Online Product Guide
    Online Shopping

    
    Our Service Commitment
    Premium Products
    Product Badge Glossary
    Return Policy
    Shipping Policy (Domestic)
    Shipping Policy (International)
    Store Locator
    Wholesale Program

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.

If you want to use an article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required.

Terms & Conditions | Updated Privacy Policy | Sitemap

© Copyright 1997-2018 Dr. Joseph Mercola. All Rights Reserved.

    Mercola Health Resources, LLC BBB Business Review
    McAfee SECURE sites help keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud, spyware, spam, viruses and online scams
    TRUSTe online privacy certification
    Click to Verify - This site has chosen a GeoTrust SSL Certificate to improve Web site security
    Privacy Policy

Mercola.com

Call Toll Free: 877-985-2695

    [Pin It]
    1
    Email
    Copy Link