A stye is a painful red bump that forms on the eyelid. It often resembles a pimple and can be tender to the touch. While generally not serious, experiencing recurrent styes, especially in the same eye, can be frustrating and indicates a need to understand their underlying causes.
Understanding Styes
A stye, medically known as a hordeolum, develops when a small oil gland or an eyelash follicle on the eyelid becomes blocked and infected with bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus is frequently responsible. These glands, such as the Meibomian glands or glands of Zeis, produce oils for the eye’s tear film. When obstructed, bacteria can multiply, leading to swelling, redness, and pain.
Styes can appear on the outer part of the eyelid, typically at the base of an eyelash (external stye), or on the inner surface (internal stye). A small yellowish spot may form at the center of the bump as pus collects. Most styes resolve within a week or two, but persistent or recurrent infections can be a sign of other issues.
Why Styes Keep Coming Back
Recurrent styes, particularly in one specific eye like the right one, often point to underlying factors. One common contributor is chronic blepharitis, an inflammatory condition of the eyelid margins. Blepharitis can lead to blocked oil glands and increased bacterial presence along the eyelids, making individuals more susceptible to styes. This condition can involve redness, flakiness, and crusting along the lash line.
Poor eyelid hygiene is another significant factor. Inadequate cleaning allows bacteria, dirt, and debris to accumulate on the eyelid, increasing the risk of gland blockages. Habits specific to one eye, such as frequently rubbing the right eye with unwashed hands, can introduce bacteria and contribute to localized recurrence. Improper use or contamination of contact lenses can transfer bacteria, as can using old or contaminated eye makeup, or failing to remove makeup thoroughly. Mascara and eyeliner can easily clog the oil glands along the lash line.
Certain underlying skin conditions, such as rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis, can predispose individuals to recurrent styes by affecting eyelid gland health and function. Rosacea, characterized by facial redness, can impact the skin around the eyes, leading to inflammation that increases stye susceptibility. A compromised immune system, due to factors like chronic stress, sleep deprivation, or certain medical conditions like diabetes, can weaken defenses, increasing stye recurrence. Hormonal fluctuations can also play a role.
Preventing Future Styes
Practicing good eyelid hygiene is a primary defense against recurrent styes. Regular, gentle cleaning of the eyelids helps remove bacteria, oil, and debris that can clog glands. This can involve using a warm compress for 5 to 10 minutes, several times a day, which helps to soften blockages and promote drainage. After applying a warm compress, gently massaging the eyelid with clean hands can further encourage drainage. Diluted baby shampoo or specific over-the-counter eyelid cleansers can be used to gently wash the eyelid margins.
For individuals who wear contact lenses, strict adherence to proper hygiene is important. Always wash hands thoroughly before handling lenses, and clean and disinfect them according to product instructions. Avoid wearing contact lenses until a stye has fully healed. Eye makeup, particularly mascara and eyeliner, should be replaced every three to six months to prevent bacterial buildup. Never share eye makeup, and always remove all makeup thoroughly before going to bed.
Avoiding touching or rubbing the eyes, especially with unwashed hands, minimizes bacteria transfer and irritation. If underlying conditions like blepharitis or rosacea are contributing to recurrent styes, managing these conditions with a healthcare professional’s guidance is important. Addressing systemic factors such as stress and sleep quality can support overall immune health, potentially reducing stye frequency.
When to Consult a Doctor
While most styes resolve with home care, there are specific situations where medical attention is warranted. If a stye does not begin to improve with warm compresses and hygiene measures within 48 hours to a few days, or if it worsens, a doctor should be consulted. Seek medical help if the stye becomes very painful, if the redness and swelling spread to involve the entire eyelid or surrounding facial areas, or if vision is affected.
Other signs that necessitate a doctor’s visit include fever or chills alongside the stye, or if it is accompanied by blistering on the eyelid. Persistent recurrence of styes despite consistent good hygiene practices also indicates a need for professional evaluation to identify and manage any underlying causes. If a stye transforms into a chalazion—a harder, typically painless lump that forms when an oil gland remains clogged but the acute infection subsides—medical consultation may be necessary, as chalazia can sometimes press on the eye and affect vision.