Eyelid styes are a common condition that can be bothersome and uncomfortable. The good news is that they are quite treatable, and urgent care can help.

Let’s discuss the signs and symptoms of a stye and treatment options. Oxford Urgent Care in Oxford, MS, provides accessible, high-quality care for eye symptoms and a wide range of other illnesses, infections, and injuries.

What Is a Stye?

A stye (or hordeolum) is a swollen, reddened, often painful bump on the edge of your eyelid. This bump happens when a small oil-producing gland near the edge of your eyelid becomes blocked, resulting in a bacterial infection.

A stye typically only involves one eyelid, though it is possible to have it on multiple eyelids at once.

Stye vs. Chalazion

A chalazion (meibomian cyst) is similar to a stye, and it may be difficult to tell the difference. A stye and a chalazion both result from a blocked oil gland in your eyelid. However, whereas a stye becomes infected with bacteria, a chalazion does not involve an infection.

A chalazion may not be painful (though there may be pain initially) and may feel like a hard lump. Chalazia typically affect the upper eyelid, though they can sometimes form on the lower eyelid.

Eyelid Stye Symptoms

Symptoms of a stye may include:

Pain.
Swelling.
Itching.
Soreness.
Eye watering.
A scratchy feeling in your eye.
Discharge from your eye or crusting on the eyelid.

Are Styes Contagious?

Styes typically aren’t spread to other people. However, the bacteria infecting eyelids can be spread on hands or bedding. Washing your hands carefully and washing pillowcases and sheets are important measures to help prevent the spread of bacteria.

Treating Eyelid Styes

Styes often heal on their own in a week or two. Here are some things you can do at home to relieve the symptoms of a stye:

Warm Compresses. Get a clean washcloth wet with warm water and hold it to the stye for about 10-15 minutes. Repeat this between three and five times daily. Ensure you use clean washcloths each time. You may gently massage it using the warm washcloth.
Green Tea Bags. Some believe that holding a green tea bag moistened with warm water to the stye can help with healing.
Clean Your Eyelids. Use a soapy solution of water and baby soap to gently wipe away crusting and discharge from your eyelids.

Avoid rubbing your eyelids or touching it. Do not attempt to pop it. Avoid wearing cosmetic products on your eyes or using contact lenses until it has healed.

Eyelid Stye Treatment: How Urgent Care Can Help

If your stye doesn’t show any improvement after 48 hours or the redness and swelling spread around your eye or affect your face, seek medical care.

An urgent care provider can assess your stye and start the appropriate treatment to promote healing and prevent complications.

Stye Risk Factors

Styes are a common problem that can affect anyone. You may be at higher risk of developing one if:

You have diabetes.
You have blepharitis (a condition involving eyelid inflammation).
You have dry skin.
You have high cholesterol levels.
You have skin conditions like rosacea, dandruff, or acne.
You are having hormonal changes.
You are an adult (children can develop styes, but it is less common).

If you are experiencing ongoing eyelid symptoms like redness, pain, or swelling and think you may have a stye, visit us at Oxford Urgent Care. Our caring, experienced providers will ensure you receive the exceptional care you need.