Sty

Sty is the common term for an acute infection of the hair follicle or glands at the edge of the eyelid. The correct medical term is Hordeolum.

Sties are usually caused by the Staphylococcus germ and are very common among the following groups of people: children, those with chronic lid infections, diabetics, and sometimes in debilitated patients with poor lid hygiene. Sties tend to be painful, especially in the early stages when swelling and redness are prominent.  With time they often form an abscess and point to the skin, more rarely toward the eyeball itself. They are very contagious.

TREATMENT consists of frequent hot packs, which usually speed up the formation of whiteheads and pointing to the surface. Antibiotic drops help decrease the number of germs present and prevent spread.  Plucking out the lash from the middle of a sty will often promote its drainage. Rarely is surgical drainage necessary. If the tissues surrounding the sty are swollen and seem infected as well, oral antibiotics may be helpful in clearing up the condition more rapidly. Scarring is a very rare consequence of sties.

Prevention of spread is important. Patients need to be careful with personal hygiene, including not sharing hand cloths and wash towels, and avoiding close personal contact during the acute phase of the problem.