Styes are caused by Staphylococcal bacteria. This type of bacteria can usually be found in the nasal passages and is easily passed to the eye. Staphylococcal is passed by rubbing the nose and then touching the eye area. The gland situated at the end of eyelid may then become infected.
Styes are not detrimental to the eyes or to eyesight. Pain will occur, followed by a swelling or redness. The eye area will also be tender to the touch. Some sufferers find that the whole eye area becomes swollen, while for others, only the infected area swells. The eye may also tend to water and become blurry.
The infection itself appears as small spot or pimple. The Staphylococcal bacteria causes a pus-filled abscess. Styes usually disappear within a few days. The infection will dissipate and the pimple will disappear, or sometimes the pimple will burst.
There is a simple procedure to help with the reduction of the swelling. Apply a hot cloth to the area for about 10 to 15 minutes. By doing this about four times a day, you can ease the discomfort and bring out a head. Styes are much like pimples in that they can pop when this type of pressure is applied. The pus will drain away and the stye should disappear.
Do not be tempted to pop a stye as you would a pimple. The application of hot compresses is only intended to aid the dissipation. There are also antibiotic creams that can be administered by a doctor. These are useful if the issue is a frequent occurrence.
Another eye bump that is commonly mistaken for a stye is a chalazion. This small bump will appear on the eyelid due to blocked oil glands. The chalazion has the same characteristics as the stye, but appears as a hard round pimple on the eyelid. Chalazions can last for a few months, but they are harmless.
Styes are normally harmless, but if they are frequent and do not disappear, then an eye doctor should be consulted. The infected area may need to be opened and drained. Although not too serious, this procedure should only be performed by a qualified eye doctor.