A stye - or sty - is a common bacterial infection that produces a pimple-like boil on the eyelid or near the edge of the eye. A stye is caused by the staphylococcus bacteria, which infects the oil-producing glands in the eyelid that lubricate the eye.
Common symptoms of a stye include:A chalazion - clogged pores in the eyelid - may cause similar swelling, but rarely produces the coloration and pain that a stye does. A chalazion commonly occurs on the inside of the eyelid, where styes usually appear on the outer skin of the eyelid.
Styes can be prevented with good hygiene and self-care methods such as:
Styes are very common and usually go away within a few days. The infection rarely causes any serious medical condition aside from swelling and pain in the affected eye. However, if redness and swelling begin to spread to the rest of your face, talk to a health care provider right away.
Below is a list of common treatment options for a stye. During your appointment, talk to your provider about the treatment plan that’s right for you.