A hordeolum, or stye, is a red bump on the eyelid caused by a blocked sebaceous gland. Applying heat or warm compresses can help, but if it persists or bursts, antibiotic treatment may be necessary to prevent a more serious infection. It’s important to avoid contact lenses and eye makeup until it has healed.
A hordeolum is a small, red bump that forms on the eyelid due to a blocked sebaceous gland. You may be more familiar with the common name for this condition, “sty.” Whether you call it a hordeolum or stye, this infection is usually benign, albeit irritating, but if a stye persists after home treatment, it’s a good idea to see an ophthalmologist for professional care. Left untreated, a hordeolum could burst, spreading bacteria into the eye and contributing to a more serious infection.
The first signs that a hordeolum is on the way include tenderness, redness, and mild swelling along the eyelid. Shortly after these first symptoms appear, a small bump emerges and the eyelid tends to swell more dramatically. The eye itself may water and develop sensitivity to light, and blinking is usually painful. In some cases, the eyelid may swell so much that it is difficult to fully open the eye.
The basic treatment for a hordeolum involves applying heat or warm compresses, which help treat the hordeolum while relieving the pain and swelling associated with it. For a compress, a clean cloth should be run under heated water and wrung out until most of the water is removed, then held against the site. You may need to heat the cloth periodically to keep it warm. After a few days of compresses, a stye usually clears up on its own.
Because a hordeolum is typically caused by an infection with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, the condition can become more serious. If a stye persists or bursts, antibiotic ointment may be needed to prevent the infection from spreading. An ophthalmologist may also lance the hordeolum to reduce material buildup, in which case the eye may be rinsed with an antibiotic solution and oral antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent the infection from spreading.
In most cases, a hordeolum is external, on the outside of the eyelid near the eyelashes. However, these infected bumps can also form under the eyelid in which case they are known as internal bumps. Internal infections can be very painful and can cause temporary damage to the cornea by dragging it across it every time the eye is closed or opened. Whether a stye is external or internal, it’s a good idea to avoid the use of contact lenses and eye makeup until it has healed, to reduce the risk of exacerbating the irritation.
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