Sty - Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders
Sty
A sty is an inflamed or infected swelling of the sebaceous (oil-producing) glands on the inner or outer surface of the eyelid. The infection is commonly caused by staphylococcus bacteria. An external sty appears on the surface of the skin at the edge of the eyelid. An internal sty is caused by inflammation, infection, or obstruction of a sebaceous gland on the inner surface of the eyelid. Initially, a sty feels like a foreign object in the eye. Tearing, redness, swelling, and tenderness in or around a particular of the eye soon follow. The eye may become sensitive to light and touch. In addition, pustules (small, yellow bumps filled with pus) may develop. These pustules often burst, release the pus, and begin to heal. Once the pressure has been released, the pain usually subsides.
Self-Help Treatments for Removing Foreign Objects in the Eye
- Holding the eye open, flush the object off the cornea using a gentle stream of clean water. One way to thoroughly wash the eyes is to fill a sink or basin with water and put your face in it. Holding the eye open, move your head from side to side to allow water to flow over the cornea.
- Holding the eye open, remove the particle with the moistened corner of a piece of clean cloth or moistened cotton swab. Don't use dry cotton swabs or tissues because loose fibers may come off and stick to the eye. A drop of lukewarm milk in the eye may help isolate the foreign object.
- If the particle is under the eye's upper lid, slowly drag the upper lid down over the lower lid. Hold it there for several seconds and then gently release. This usually causes tears to flush the foreign body out of the eye.
- If the object is a contact lens, and the eye is rapidly swelling, remove the lens by holding the upper eyelid open. Use your thumb to slide the contact toward the white area at the outside corner of the eye, pulling the skin there down and out.
Treatments for a sty usually involve botanical eye drops or ointments. Applying warm, moist compresses to the eye for ten minutes three to four times daily may encourage the sty to burst. In some cases, especially for internal sties, surgical opening may be necessary to cure the condition.
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