A stye is a common bacterial infection of an eyelid oil gland or hair follicle. It appears as a red, tender, and often painful lump along the eyelid’s edge, typically caused by Staphylococcus bacteria when a gland or follicle becomes blocked.
The Typical Progression
Most styes usually resolve on their own without specific medical treatment. The initial stage involves localized tenderness and swelling on the eyelid. Over a few days, a small, painful, red bump forms, often developing a yellowish center as pus collects within the infected gland.
This pus-filled head is similar to a pimple. Often, the stye will spontaneously rupture and drain, releasing pus. This natural drainage typically brings a significant reduction in pain and swelling, marking the beginning of the healing process.
The process, from initial symptoms to resolution, usually takes one to two weeks. The body’s immune system manages the infection, allowing the stye to clear up.
Serious Complications
While many styes resolve naturally, some can lead to complications if the infection persists or the blocked gland does not clear. One common outcome for an unresolved stye is the development of a chalazion. This occurs when the oil gland remains blocked and inflamed after the acute infection subsides, forming a firm, usually painless lump in the eyelid.
Unlike a stye, a chalazion is a non-infectious inflammatory cyst and typically lacks the redness and tenderness of an active infection. Chalazia can persist for several weeks or even months, and while often not painful, they may require medical intervention if they become large or do not shrink.
A more serious, though less common, complication is preseptal cellulitis, also known as periorbital cellulitis. This involves the spread of the bacterial infection to the eyelid and the surrounding skin tissues anterior to the orbital septum. Symptoms include swelling, warmth, tenderness, and redness that extends beyond the immediate area of the stye.
Although the eye itself and vision are typically unaffected, preseptal cellulitis requires prompt medical attention to prevent further spread. In extremely rare instances, the infection from a stye could potentially spread to other parts of the eye or even enter the bloodstream, leading to a more widespread systemic infection. This systemic spread is highly unusual for an isolated stye.
When to See a Doctor
Seek medical evaluation if a stye does not show signs of improvement or worsens after one to two weeks. Persistent or increasing pain, along with severe swelling that might affect vision, requires professional attention.
If the redness or swelling extends beyond the eyelid to other parts of the face, such as the cheek, this indicates a spreading infection that requires immediate medical care. Any changes in vision, such as blurring, or the development of systemic symptoms like fever or chills, are reasons to consult a healthcare provider.
Individuals who experience recurrent styes should seek medical advice, as this could signal an underlying condition that predisposes them to styes.