Eye infection or stye: how to tell?

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Differentiating between an eye infection and a stye is important for effective treatment. A swollen lump at the base of the eyelashes is characteristic of a stye, while eye infections often change the eye itself. Both can cause sensitivity to light and pain, but styes typically cause discomfort in the eyelid. Styes can be caused by anything from a dust particle to a bacterial infection and may develop into a chalazion if left untreated.

The eye can be susceptible to a number of different ailments; Correct diagnosis is essential for rapid and effective treatment. One of the ways to tell the difference between an eye infection and a stye is whether or not a small, swollen lump has developed at the base of your eyelashes; this is characteristic of a pigsty. Eye infections are often accompanied by vision problems such as blurriness and sensitivity to light.

Along the eyelid are a number of sebaceous glands. When these glands become blocked, a stye develops. The area around the gland swells and often turns red. There may also be the same aching sensation that occurs with developing a large pimple; generally, these nodules will remain small and heal on their own over the course of several days.

Both an eye infection and a stye will cause changes in the eye, but an eye infection will often change the eye itself instead of the area around it. The eye may become red or bloodshot, as is the case with pinky finger infection. Vision problems are common in infections and range from blurry vision to visible spots. With some types of infections, there may be a persistent itching sensation, sometimes made worse by rubbing the eye. An eye infection can also cause watery and watery eyes.

Any of these conditions can cause a sensitivity to light, but this problem is much more common in an infection than a stye. Pain can accompany both an eye infection and a stye, but a stye typically causes discomfort in the eyelid rather than the eye itself. If the sty is large, there may also be water in the eye; many styes will dry up on their own before they get that big.

One of the biggest differences between an eye infection and a stye is the location of the swelling. An individual with an eye infection may develop a swollen eyelid, while a sty is characterized by a pimple-like bump. If this small bump is not present, the source of the discomfort is often a bacterial, fungal or viral infection. These three types of infections exhibit similar symptoms and often require a trip to a doctor to determine what is causing the pain.

Styes can be caused by anything from a dust particle to a bacterial infection. In the latter case, the infection can eventually spread to the eye. This usually only occurs if the sty grows large; in this case, it is then referred to as a chalazion. Then, some of the symptoms of an eye infection may start to develop.




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