Babies can develop styes, which are small, red, and tender bumps that form along the edge of the eyelid. This painful swelling occurs when one of the small oil glands or an eyelash follicle becomes blocked and subsequently infected. While generally harmless, a stye can cause discomfort for an infant until it resolves.
What a Stye Looks Like
A stye on a baby’s eyelid typically resembles a small, reddish pimple or boil situated near the base of an eyelash. The affected area usually appears swollen and can be quite tender to the touch, which may lead to increased fussiness or crying in the infant. As the stye progresses, a tiny white or yellowish spot, representing a collection of pus, may form at its center.
It is important to distinguish a stye from a chalazion. Unlike a stye, which is an acute, tender infection, a chalazion is a deeper, painless cyst formed from a blocked oil gland. The presence of pain and acute redness suggests a stye, while a hard, non-tender lump that develops slowly is characteristic of a chalazion. Excessive tearing and irritation are also common symptoms accompanying a stye.
Causes of Styes in Infants
Styes are primarily caused by a bacterial infection of the sebaceous glands within the eyelid. The bacteria responsible is most often Staphylococcus aureus, which naturally lives on the skin surface. An infection begins when this bacteria gets trapped inside a blocked oil gland near an eyelash follicle.
Infants are particularly prone to styes because of their frequent hand-to-face contact. Bacteria can be easily transferred from a baby’s hands to their eye area. Rubbing the eyes, especially when tired, can push surface bacteria into the eyelid glands. Poor hand hygiene for both the infant and caregivers is a common risk factor facilitating this bacterial transfer.
Safe Home Care for Styes
Applying a warm compress to the affected eyelid is the most effective home treatment. The heat helps liquefy the hardened oil blocking the gland, encourages the stye to come to a head, and promotes natural drainage. Use a clean cloth soaked in warm, lukewarm water, ensuring it is never hot or scalding.
Apply the compress gently to the baby’s closed eye for about five to ten minutes, repeating this process three to six times throughout the day. It is important to use a fresh, clean washcloth for each application to avoid reintroducing bacteria. Never attempt to squeeze or pop the stye, as this action can spread the infection deeper into the eyelid tissue and potentially cause a more serious complication.
Gentle cleaning of the eyelid margin supports healing. Dilute a small amount of tear-free baby shampoo in warm water and gently wipe the eyelid with a clean cotton swab or cloth. This helps keep the area free of crusting and debris once the stye begins to drain. Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching the baby’s eye.
Warning Signs Requiring a Doctor Visit
Contact a healthcare provider if the stye does not show improvement after 48 hours of consistent warm compress treatment. Worsening pain, increased swelling, or redness that begins to spread beyond the eyelid and onto the cheek or other parts of the face are concerning symptoms.
A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher suggests a more widespread infection. Seek immediate care if the baby experiences changes in vision, exhibits excessive pus or discharge from the eye, or seems acutely unwell. Recurring or multiple styes should also be discussed with a doctor, as they may indicate an underlying issue.