Styes

stye; eye; sore; infection; eyelid ;

Contents

• What causes a stye?
• What is a stye like?
• What you can do
• See your doctor

Styes are infections in the eyelids, inside glands next to the base of an eyelash. They can be very painful.

What causes a stye?

• Styes are caused by bacteria (germs) which normally live on the skin, but they can also be spread from person to person by touching them.
• Styes may come in crops because the germs in the pus can spread to other glands in the eyelid.
• Many children and adults get an occasional stye but if they happen often, see a doctor.  

What is a stye like?

• Generally there is swelling and pain.
• The stye is sore to touch and the eyelid around it becomes red.
• Often after 2-3 days the pus forms into a head.
• There can be other lumps in the eyelid which are not infected - cysts. Cysts are not sore, but they may also need to be treated by a doctor.

What you can do

See a doctor to check that it is a stye, and to get an antibiotic if it is needed. 

• Bathe the stye with hot water (you can add salt). Heat is important, but it can be dangerous. Make sure the water is not hot enough to burn. If a finger cannot be held comfortably in the water it is too hot.
  • Use cotton wool balls or a clean face washer (or clean cloth) placed on the sore area for a few minutes several times a day. This draws blood to the infected area and helps the infection to clear more quickly.
• Do not squeeze a stye. The infection can spread to the skin around the eye and cause a serious problem.
• Styes can be spread by touch, so careful hygiene (hand washing) is important.
• Wash cloths, facewashers and towels after use.

See your doctor if:

• There is swelling of the whole eyelid.
• If the eye is very sore, there is redness of the white of the eye (sclera) or a discharge from the eye.
• If the child has a raised temperature, headache, loss of appetite or feels tired and unwell.

The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).

This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.