Stye (hordeolum)
A hordeolum, also known as a stye, is an inflammation of the eyelid margin.
This condition is seen more often in children than in adults.
A stye is caused by an
infection in the sebaceous (oil producing) or sweat glands in the eyelid. The
infection is usually caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus.
The symptoms of a stye
The following
are the most common symptoms of a stye. However, each child may experience
symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- Swelling of the eyelid
- Redness at the edge of the eyelid
- Pain over the affected area (localized pain)
- Tenderness
- Drainage of yellow fluid (pus)
A stye is sometimes confused with a chalazion , a painless
persistent granuloma (a "bump" or swelling) of
the
upper or lower eyelid. A chalazion is caused by a blockage of one of the glands in the eyelid. The treatment
for a stye and a chalazion is similar.
How a stye is diagnosed
A stye is usually
diagnosed based on a complete medical history and physical examination of your
child. Additional tests are not usually required to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Specific treatment for
a stye will be determined by your child's physician based on:
- Your child's age, overall health, and medical history
- Extent of the condition
- Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- Expectations for the course of the condition
- Your opinion or preference
Treatment may include:
- Applying warm, wet compresses on the child's eye for about a period of
approximately 15 minutes, several times throughout the day
- Instructing your child not to squeeze or rub the stye
- Having your child wash his/her hands frequently
- Antibiotic ointments for the eye (this does not make the stye go away
faster, but it can help to stop the spread of the infection to other parts of
the eye)
- Having your child wash his/her face daily, including the eye
- Refraining from wearing make-up until the infection heals