A stye in the eye, a pimple in the eye, a lump in the eye

A stye in the eye, a pimple in the eye, a sore on the eyelid, a lump in the eye – what is important to know?

There are many cases in which people wake up in the morning and, without any prior warning, discover a lump in the eye, or what is called in everyday language a "stye in the eye". In most cases, the lumps in the eyelid are a chalazion, what is called in clear Hebrew a "se'ora ba'ayin". A stye is in fact an inflammation of a gland of fat, when this gland usually appears in an inflamed form and at the margin of the eyelid.

Although it usually looks like a red and swollen lump that looks like a stye in the eye, this is a stye and it is common among all sections of the population. A stye in the eye is usually caused following the blockage of one of the oil glands in our eyelids. The blockage allows various bacteria to develop inside that blocked gland, which leads to the appearance of a stye in the eye. In fact, the red lump is that same inflamed area that requires treatment. While a stye is very similar to the acne pimples common in various areas of the body, a person may develop more than one "stye".

What is important to know about a stye in the eye (a pimple in the eye)?

Although at times people discover a stye in the eye without any warning, a stye usually develops over a number of days. In quite a few cases, the stye can drain and heal on its own. An important thing to know is that at times a stye in the eye develops to the point of the development of a "trapped stye".

A trapped stye develops when the inflamed oil gland becomes completely blocked. In cases where a chalazion develops into an advanced state, it can cause various problems in vision. In these cases, and in general of a stye in the eye that develops into a stye, it will of course be important to receive medical, professional treatment and so on.

If you have chronic blepharitis (blepharitis) – there is a higher chance of getting a stye in the eye

Other lumps that can appear on the eyelid:

• Xanthelasma: this is a phenomenon following which a kind of yellow patches develop on the eyelids. These patches can develop naturally with age, they do not necessarily indicate anything. Likewise, these patches are usually not harmful, but attention should be paid, since they sometimes indicate a sign of high cholesterol in the person.
• Papilloma: papillomas are lumps that usually appear pink in colour, but sometimes also skin-coloured. Papillomas are not harmful or dangerous, but they can certainly grow slowly and at a certain stage also affect vision. Likewise, they may be a cosmetic nuisance. If that is the case, it will be possible to remove papillomas in a not very complex operation. Usually the operation will be under local anaesthesia only.
• Cysts: these are small sacs, filled with a kind of fluid. Large cysts can affect vision.

What is a stye in the eye (STYE)?

A hordeolum is a kind of red and painful lump that develops on a person's eyelid. This phenomenon occurs when a small gland at the margin of the eyelid becomes inflamed, contaminated or affected by an infectious agent. A chalazion (a stye in the eye or a stye) may develop on the upper eyelids, but also on the lower ones. In the great majority of cases, a stye in the eye passes on its own, but in any case it will usually be advisable to treat it in order to hasten the process of its disappearance.

What are the symptoms of a stye in the eye (a sore on the eyelid)?

People who have a stye in the eye (a STYE – a stye) usually have a red and painful lump on the margin of their eyelid. Although a stye usually develops over a number of days and may look like your stye in the eye, it can also cause symptoms such as watering eyes, eyelid pain and more.

Is there a diagnosis for a stye in the eye (a lump in the eye)?

No, but the doctor or nurse should be able to diagnose cases of a stye in the eye, a stye in the eye and in the eyelids, a chalazion and so on.

What to do in order to feel better when a stye in the eye develops (a pimple in the eye)?

In order to try to ease the symptoms of a stye in the eye and to go back to feeling better, various preparations can be used. But remember, it will always be important to receive medical advice; do not decide on your own what is suitable for the treatment of a stye in the eye. If you do not wish to use stye treatment preparations, you can ease your sensation with the help of a warm and moist cloth (not soaked in water). This is called "compresses".

There are people who soak the cloth in a warm tea bag (instead of a cloth with water) or dedicated masks. It is recommended to do compresses of about 15 minutes, replacing the moist cloth when it cools (it is important to keep it warm). It is recommended to act this way 2 times during the day. Likewise, it is very important to remember – you must not try to burst a stye in the eye – this may worsen the situation significantly! And a further matter, it is recommended not to use make-up while there is a stye in the eye, this may worsen the situation.

Do I need to see a doctor when there is a stye in the eye (a pimple in the eye)?

Turn to your doctor if:

• The stye in the eye does not disappear after carrying out warm compresses for a number of days.
• The stye in the eye develops greatly, bleeds, grows or affects vision.
• The whole eye is red, or the whole eyelid is swollen and red (looks inflamed or infected).
• The redness or the swelling spreads to areas of the cheeks or to other parts of the face.

Which treatments can my doctor use?

If the stye in the eye does not pass on its own, or if it leads to other medical problems, the doctor can:

• Prescribe creams or ointments for the treatment of a stye in the eye.
• Prescribe antibiotic medications.
• Carry out a medical procedure in order to drain the fluid inside the stye in the eye.

Can a stye in the eye (a sore on the eyelid) be prevented?

Indeed yes. In order to reduce the chances of developing a stye in the eye, you can carry out the following actions:

• Maintaining eyelid hygiene
• Expression of glands
• Taking Omega 3
• Early detection and turning to a specialist ophthalmologist