The inner and outer structures of the eye can become inflamed for various reasons. The most common causes include blockage of the ducts of the glands that secrete oil. Structures that block the canal and then become inflamed show themselves as a small swelling and sensitivity to touch may occur. Over time, the development of a pustule that opens outward from the swelling can be detected. Styes, which can occur in any part of the eye, tend to occur at the intersection of the lower and upper eyelids. Stye on the eye is a more common problem in children.
What is a Stye on the Eye?
A stye, also called a hordeolum, is a bacterial infection that occurs suddenly in the gland structures under the eyelid. Stye, which is detected quite frequently among the applications made to health institutions, can be brought under control within 1-2 weeks with appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
In some patients, if deemed necessary by the physician, topical (on the skin surface) antibiotic drugs can be applied. In cases of extremely advanced styes, drainage of the inflammation can be performed with simple surgical interventions.
Why Does a Stye Occur?
Stye is an eye infection caused by bacteria such as staphylococcus. The infection site is usually the hair follicles located at the bottom of the eyelashes. As a result of the blockage of the oil, secretion and sweat glands in this region, a sty occurs in the person.
A painful and red swelling occurs in this area of the eye after the obstruction. A sty can appear on both the inner and outer parts of the upper and lower eyelids. Stye occurring on the outside occurs after the glands in that area are infected with bacteria that normally live in the eye without causing any problems. The ducts of the glands in the eye can become clogged with dead skin cells and remnants of old secretions. Bacteria accumulated in this closed environment in the diaper trigger the development of a stye infection.
Eyelash follicles are located in the small spaces on the eye skin where the eyelashes come out and these areas are at the beginning of the parts where sty development is detected. Sebaceous glands produce an oily secretion called sebum. is responsible for it. These glands, located around the eyelash follicles, allow the eye surface to retain water and have an anti-drying effect. Sebum also has antiseptic properties.
Apocrine glands, another structure associated with the hair follicle, are a type of sweat gland and help keep the eye wet. Inflammation of the sebaceous and apocrine glands with bacteria, such as hair follicles, may also result in the development of styes. In general, the first noticeable symptom after the development of a stye is the formation of a red swelling at the level of the eyelid. Apart from this symptom, many other signs and symptoms are among the complaints of a stye:
- Stinging sensation in the eye
- Discomfort in the eye
- Tearing in the eye
- Swelling of the eyelids
- Sensitivity to light
After applying to health institutions, physicians take the patient's medical history and perform a physical examination. If the patient has an insidious onset of red, swollen eyelid, additional events that may have caused any recent trauma in this area are examined. Visual acuity problems may occur in the patient's eye with a stye. The reason for this situation is that the inflamed sty structure presses on the cornea of the person.
In order to detect a stye on the inner side of the eyelid during physical examination, physicians can invert the eyelids of the person and examine them. Eye pain is an important symptom that may indicate that other structures in the eye region are affected in stye discomfort. Especially the pain that occurs with eye movements and the detection of swelling in the back of the eye may indicate that an infection in the eye skin (orbital cellulitis) has occurred, and it is important to recognize this situation because it requires more intensive treatment than a stye.
Stye diagnosis of sad It can be determined under the patient's medical history and physical examination findings. In the diagnosis of this disease, no examination is usually used. If the stye infection, which is rare in further tests and examinations, spreads to the skin and other parts of the eye, different tests may be required.
How Does a Stye in the Eye Pass?
Many eye styes can regress spontaneously over time. Massage and hot compress applications to the affected area can also be included in the treatment planning.
Hot compress can help soften the connective tissue in that area and reopen the clogged canal. Eyelid massage, on the other hand, can help expel the substance inside through the opening of the sty, in which inflammation accumulates. Since important eye structures such as the cornea may be damaged during these procedures, it is important that they be performed in line with the knowledge and recommendation of specialist physicians.
Antibiotic treatment may be necessary in cases of styes that do not regress or tend to grow. With antibiotic drugs, a significant reduction in the duration and severity of the disease occurs. If it is determined that the swelling grows and compresses the eye structures, steroid drugs applied superficially to reduce this edema can also be used within the treatment of styes. In hot compress applications, a clean cloth is placed in slightly hot water. Afterwards, this cloth is taken out of the water, squeezed to remain moist and kept on the affected area for a while. It is important that the warm cloth is gently placed on the affected eye area and the application time is between 5 and 10 minutes. Hot compress applications can be performed 3-4 times a day.
Shaking tea bags can also be used for hot compresses. In this practice, after the tea is brewed, the bag taken from the cup to the saucer is expected to become warm. Afterwards, the tea bag placed in the affected eye area is kept in this area for 5-10 minutes.
Another effective factor for styes in the eye is the use of contact lenses. If a sty develops in people who normally wear lenses, it is recommended to use glasses until this discomfort is controlled. This This is because bacteria from the lesion can settle on the lens, facilitating the spread of inflammation. In massage applications, the person's complete hand hygiene and performing the massage using an eye cleaning tissue can contribute to re-flow in the clogged area. Touching, squeezing, or pressing on the stye lesions constitute behaviors that should be avoided, as this may result in the inflammation within and spread to other parts of the disease.
People who develop styes in their eyes should not reuse the make-up materials they used before the development of the sty. These materials can act as a good surface for the bacteria that cause styes to adhere, and care should be taken as they may cause infection in other parts of the person. Gently washing the eyelids during face washing, regularly changing the lenses of contact lens wearers and keeping them clean, properly removing make-up during the day before bedtime, avoiding sharing items such as towels with people with sty lesions, and reducing the risk of styes. They are among the applications. You can use the contact form on our website to reach us.
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