Sty: symptoms, causes and treatments!

A  stye occurs when there is a small accumulation of secretion or pus on the eyelid, so the lesion becomes palpable, red and painful. Also known as hordeolum.

A sty is an inflammation of the glands that produce a fatty secretion around the eyelashes. Inflammation can happen only by the wrong accumulation of secretion from the glands, or also in conjunction with an infection, caused by bacteria that live in the skin. However,  it is not contagious and can be treated at home with eye hygiene and a warm compress.

Main symptoms of stye:

The main symptoms of stye are:

• Tenderness and pain at the edge of the eyelid ,
• Appearance of a small, rounded, painful, swollen area with a small yellow dot in the center;
• Increase in temperature in the region;
• Light sensitivity and tearing of the eyes

Causes of Terçol:

A stye occurs when the glands that produce the lipid part of the tear become obstructed, which can occur for a few reasons:

• Bacterial infection : when a common bacteria lodges inside the gland
• Gland malfunction: any problem in the action of these structures can cause accumulation of substances and lead to inflammation
• Blepharitis: this disease causes inflammation at the edge of the eyelids, where eyelashes are born, and its recurrence can favor the appearance of styes .
• Excess oil in the eyes: people who produce excessive sebum in this region can end up having clogged sebaceous glands.

How to treat stye?

Knowing what to do when the eye sty problem arises is very important to prevent it from getting worse. In most cases, the nodule is completely drained spontaneously within a period of 5 to 7 days.

The main treatment involves the use of moist and warm compresses, in addition to the use of antibiotic and corticosteroid-based ointment to help drain the contents of the nodule and also help to reduce pain at the site.

To start the treatment of the problem, it is enough to first perform adequate hygiene of the eyes and skin around them and then apply heat on the spot. This application can be done through gauze or cotton pads moistened with warm water or saline solution, which are placed on the lesion for 15 minutes, four times a day.

What to do when a sty is suspected:

A stye usually does not need medicine to cure, so treatment is done at home. Following some recommendations can make it improve faster, such as:

• Clean the area around the eyes, and do not let too much secretion accumulate;
• Apply warm compresses to the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day;
• Do not squeeze or move the region too much, as it can worsen the inflammation ;
• Don’t wear makeup or contact lenses, stop not spreading the lesion, getting bigger, and don’t make it last longer.
• See more details and tips on how to treat at home.

The sty  usually deflates or drains on its own in about 4 days, and usually doesn’t last longer than 1 week. Signs of improvement are a decrease in swelling, pain, and redness. Some cases, however, are more serious, can last longer and worsen the infection, so you should be aware of the signs and seek care from a general practitioner.

Some precautions can help prevent the problem:

People with oily skin or diagnosed with blepharitis (dandruff on the eyelashes due to increased production of fat) should increase care in relation to hygiene, cleaning the eyelashes and eyelids daily. Only products suitable for the eye region should be used , avoiding possible irritation at the site. During the entire treatment, it is important that the patient avoid rubbing the eyes , do not use any product or makeup in the region, as well as avoid wearing contact lenses during the treatment. infection period.

When to see the doctor?

To identify if the stye  is more serious and seek medical attention, you should be aware of some signs, such as:

• The inflammation spreads across the face, presenting a large red, hot, painful area;
• The eyes are very red and irritated;
• Vision is impaired;
• The lesion does not disappear in 7 days.

After evaluation, the doctor may prescribe an ointment or eye drops with antibiotics and, in some cases, it is even necessary to use an oral antibiotic, such as cephalexin. There are also a few more severe cases where minor surgery may be necessary to drain the pus from the lesion.

Conclusion:

A stye  in the eye is a nodule caused by an infection of bacteria in the sebaceous and sweat glands, causing several symptoms, including pain, redness and increased sensitivity at the eyelid margin, as well as tearing, photophobia and a foreign body sensation in the eyes. The treatment is simple and can also be done at home for some milder cases.