Hordeolum (stye): symptoms, causes and treatment

Definition of hordeolum (stye)

Hordeolum is the medical term for a stye, also known as piles. A hordeolum is a small lump that at first glance looks like a pimple near the lashes. The cause of a stye is usually a bacterial infection.

In general, hordeolum is not a serious condition. Usually, the bumps will go away on their own within a few days. Although they are harmless, they can interfere with daily activities due to pain and make your appearance slightly irritated.

You can reduce pain by compressing the eyelids with a cloth dipped in warm water.

How common is this condition?

Hordeolum or stye is a disease that can affect anyone at any age, both adults and children. You can prevent stye by reducing the factors that put you at risk. Always consult a doctor for more information.

Types of hordeolum (stye)

There are two types of hordeolum or stye, which appear outside the eyelid (externa) and inside the eyelid (internal). In certain cases, the stye can sometimes contain pus.

1. External hordeolum

External hordeolum is usually more common than that which occurs inside the eyelid (internal). External hordeolum occurs due to an infection in the Zeis or Moll's glands in the eye.

Zeis glands and Moll's glands are located at the base of the eyelashes, both upper and lower. That is why, the external hordeolum can cause a stye on the upper or lower eyelid. The lump will appear to point to the outside.

2. Internal hordeolum

The internal hordeolum is a stye that occurs inside the eyelid. Most internal hordeolum appear in the oil glands in the tissue of your eyelids (Meibom's glands). The internal hordeolum will usually appear on the upper eyelid.

The lump is directed to the inside side so the eyelid needs to be opened to see the lump more clearly. As it grows, it presses on the eye so that it is more painful than the external type.

Signs and symptoms of stye

Symptoms of a stye that usually appear include:

• Small bumps appear on the eyelids, either above or below
• The lump is painful, reddish, and feels warm to the touch
• The eyes are watery and sensitive to light
• The eye feels itchy

Although the stye is harmless, if allowed to become infected, it can extend to the eyelid. This condition can cause periorbital cellulitis.

There may also be some features and symptoms not mentioned above. If you have the same complaint, consult your doctor immediately.

When should I see a doctor?

Most stye cases are harmless and will not affect your ability to see clearly. However, you need to contact your doctor if the following symptoms occur:

• Starting to feel feverish
• There is a vision problem
• The stye does not go away in 2 weeks
• Redness and swelling spreading beyond the eyelids, even to the forehead or other parts of the face
• The accumulation is bleeding
• The lump is getting bigger and sicker
• Your entire eyelid and eyes are flushed red

Causes of the stye

The cause of stye is generally oil and dirt that clogs the hole where the root of the eyelash is. When the holes become blocked, bacteria grow in them and cause infection. The bacteria that most often cause stains are Staphylococcus aureus

You don't have to stay away from those with stye. The reason is, stye is not transmitted directly from eye contact with sufferers.

However, you can run the risk of catching a stye if you shake hands with someone who has just touched or rubbed the infected eye. Moreover, when you also reflex touch the eye afterwards.

Risk factors

The following are some of the risk factors that can trigger the cause of the stye:

• Touching eyes with dirty hands
• Wearing contact lenses without cleaning them thoroughly
• Do not wash your hands when wearing contact lenses
• Sleep using make up overnight
• Use make up old or expired
• Have a history of blepharitis and rosacea

Eye infections are often caused by improper care or use of contact lenses. Behaviors that increase the risk of contact lens-related infections include:

• Contact lenses that are less clean
• Touch contact lenses before washing hands
• Using contact lenses while sleeping
• Using contact lenses repeatedly
• Using expired contact lenses

The risk of developing this condition will increase if you have previously had a similar condition. The hordeolum can also come back after it heals.

The absence of a risk does not mean that you are free from the possibility of being exposed to disease. The features and symptoms listed are for reference only. You need to consult a doctor for more information.

Complications

Quoted from the American Academy of Ophthamology, the internal hordeolum can be the beginning of kalazion. Different from hordeolum, kalazion doesn't hurt. The lump develops further behind the eyelid and rarely makes the entire eyelid swell.

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the tests to diagnose this condition?

The doctor will make a diagnosis by looking at the condition of your eyes and eyelids. The doctor will use a light and a magnifying glass to examine the eyelids.

What are the treatment options for a stye?

Stains or piles are diseases that can heal on their own in 1-2 weeks. However, the healing process can be sped up with a few simple ways that you can do at home.

Some simple ways that can be done to help treat stye are:

1. Warm compress

Place a warm compress on the eye for 10-15 minutes a day. Warm compresses are applied to prevent lash holes from getting closed and oil buildup, and to help treat redness and swelling.

2. Take antibiotics

Take antibiotics. The doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics in the form of ointments or eye drops. In some cases, you may need to go to the doctor to remove any pus if home remedies don't work.

One thing you need to remember, don't try to squeeze or break the lump to get the pus. This reckless action can actually cause the infection to spread so that the entire eyelid can become infected.

Prevention

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat a hordeolum?

Some of the healthy lifestyle changes and home remedies that can help you prevent hordeolum are:

• Always keep your face, scalp, eyebrows and hands clean
• Use make up eye lightly or not at all, then clean until completely clean
• Don't try to squeeze the scales
• Do not use contact lenses while the lump is still there
• Keep contact lenses clean and infection-free
• Wash hands before touching contact lenses
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water, or use them hand sanitizer containing alcohol, especially before touching the eyes.

This condition is not contagious, but bacteria can pass through infected objects, including make-up . That is why, do not borrow and borrow eye makeup.

Change usage make up according to the rules below:

• Mascara is used everyday, every three months
• Mascara is used occasionally, every six months
• Eye liner liquid, every three months
• Eye liner pencil, every two to three months .

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.