OVERVIEW

A stye (also spelled sty) is a painful lump that develops on the edge of your eyelid, where the lash meets the skin. It’s usually red and swollen and may be filled with pus. A stye develops when a hair follicle or oil gland is blocked and bacteria grow.

Styes are usually harmless and go away on their own within a week or two. But they can be uncomfortable and sometimes reoccur.

SYMPTOMS

The signs and symptoms of stye may include the following:

• A red lump on your eyelid that is similar to a boil or a pimple.
• Eyelid pain.
• Eyelid swelling.
• Tearing.

CAUSES

A stye is caused by an infection of oil glands in the eyelid. The bacterium staphylococcus is commonly responsible for most of these infections.

TREATMENT

After an initial observation and home remedy failure, consult us for antibiotic ointment and pills.