Have you ever heard the term eye stye? If you have ever experienced an eye stye, you know that they are painful and annoying, because the stye can be over or under the top of the inner or outer eyelid.
Definition
An eye stye, or as it is medically termed, a hordeolum, is actually an abscess, filled with liquid pus, that can often times be painful. It is a small lump, that can be formed on the inner or outer eyelid. The stye often appears on the outer surface of the eyelid, but actually can be started, from deep within the inner eyelid. It is caused, because of a staphylococcus bacteria, or infection of the eye. The stye is often times a common occurrence and will usually develop, in some stage of a persons life.
Types of Eye Styes
An external eye stye, usually begins next to an eyelash. It is a painful swelling, that will begin to turn red in color. The stye usually only lasts several days and then bursts and heals on its own. It is not considered threatening to your health, but should be monitored, to ensure that it does not become more infected.
An internal eye stye, occurs underneath the eyelid and is also red in color. It too is also a painful swelling, but does not always heal naturally, because of the location on the eyelid. The internal eye stye, needs to be especially monitored, due to the fact, that if it does not heal after the infection has passed, then it will have to be drained by a medical professional.
Symptoms
The eye stye is usually a red, hot painful swelling, that exists on the edge of the eyelid. There may be a need to itch the stye, but medical professionals warn against this, due to the eye becoming more infected.
Treatments
Removing a stye by home remedies is not recommended. Treatment, because the delicacy of the condition, should always be done by a medical professional. Make sure to seek a doctor for treatment:
- if the stye persists for several weeks,
- without showing signs of healing,
- if the stye interferes with your vision,
- if there is extreme pain in the eye,
- or if you have eye an stye that continues to recur.
This could be a sign of another chronic illness, within your body.
As with any emergency situation, calling or seeking out a trained medical professional, should often, be the first source of action. A lingering eye stye, could be a form of something more serious and more telling within your body. If the eye stye begins to itch, dabbing with cold water may help relieve this. Monitoring and constantly staying in touch with a medical professional, if the problem persists, will help you get through the dreaded eye stye emergency.