Stye (Hordeolum)
Picture 1. Stye (hordeolum)
(source: Samuel Freire da Silva, MD, Atlasdermatologico)
Stye (Lat hordeolum = barleycorn) is a red, tender, painful, or itchy red bump, resembling a pimple, occurring on the eyelash. It represent an infection (usually by bacterium Staphylococcus aureus) of an oil gland attached to the hair follicle. In children it mostly occurs due to bad eye or hands hygiene, and eye rubbing; in women it may be due to sharing makeup. Stye usually heals on its own in 1-2 weeks. Warm wet compresses applied for 1o minutes 2-3 times a day may help in draining pus and relieving pain. Stye should not be rubbed or squeezed. Topical ointments are usually ineffective (1). Rarely, surgical incision and drainage is needed.
