Eye Stye: Cures and Causes of Styes on the Eyelid

Author: Ian C. Langtree - View Credentials
Published: 7 Jul 2009 - Updated: 3 Aug 2023
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Overview - Related Content

Synopsis

Information regarding the causes of an internal or external eye stye on the eyelid, including treatment methods on how to get rid of a stye.

Overview

What is an Eye Stye?

Hordeolum is the medical term used to describe a stye on either the upper or lower eyelid. A stye near one or both eyes is caused by an acute infection (commonly staphylococcal bacteria) or inflammation of the secretory glands of the eyelids. Often, the lump (stye) appears with a white or yellow spot that looks much like a large hard pimple.

Eye styes often appear on one or both eyelids at the same time due to cross infection. Prevent re-infection or cross-infection (transferring the problem from one eye to the other), by not rubbing your eyes and face. Like most infections, dead white blood cells accumulate and the resulting pus causes the swelling and subsequent pain.

Two Main Types of Eye Styles

• Internal Stye -An internal stye occurs on the underside of the eyelid and causes painful swelling. The internal stye may disappear completely once the infection is gone, however it can leave a small fluid filled cyst that may have to be opened and drained by a doctor.
• External Stye -An external stye starts off as a small pimple next to an eyelash. It then turns into a painful swelling that can last for several days. Most external styes are short-lived.

Styes and chalazia are usually harmless and rarely affect your eyeball or your eyesight. They can occur at any age and tend to periodically recur.

What Causes an Eye Stye?

A stye can form due to Inflammatory diseases of the eyelid, like blepharitis, meibomitis, and rosacea.

Poor eyelid hygiene, improper removal of eye makeup, hormonal changes, and stress have also been known to cause Styes.

How to Get Rid of a Stye On Your Eye Lids

• Do not squeeze the stye as it will only make it worse. Let it burst on its own.
• Take real gold, such as a ring, and rub it on the stye to clear it up.
• Use alum water to wash your eyes and relief the stye. To prepare, mix 2 to 3 granules of alum in a cup of water.
• Let a teabag steep in warm water and place the teabag over the eye.
• Try using a warm compress on the stye for 5 minutes 4 times a day.
• Ask your chemist or pharmacist for Golden Eye Ointment or Broline eye ointment for eye stye's
• If styes recur, your doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic. Doctors also often advise patients to stop eating eggs and cheese when they have styes.
• Make paste with potato, spread it on a cloth and apply it externally on inflamed eyes to reduce swelling.
• Try taking echinacea or anti-histamines.
• Avoid using perfumed or moisturizing soaps for the time being as these may aggravate the stye.
• Boil 1 tsp of coriander seeds in a cup of water and use this preparation to wash the eyes 3 to 4 times a day.

Author Credentials: Ian C. Langtree is a writer, editor, and the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, which he established in 2004 as one of the longest-running independent resources for disability news and information. Over more than two decades, he has written and edited thousands of articles on disability rights, health, accessibility, and assistive technology. Drawing on a global perspective shaped by extensive travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed advocate of the Social Model of Disability, the framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that focuses on removing societal barriers rather than on individual impairments. His writing is grounded in that framework and in a lasting commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.