Is Eye Sty Harmful? by Jerry Hall
A sty is a pimple or abscess that forms in either the upper or lower
eyelid. The medical term for sty is hordeolum(say HOR-dee-oh-lumm) and
it is an infection caused by bacteria that normally live peacefully on
the eyelid skin surface.
Some of thee germs get trapped along with dead skin cells inside
crypts along the eyelid margin. Stys are usually superficial and
plainly visible. Occasionally they can reside deeper within the eyelid.
This common infection or inflammation results from blocked glands
within the eyelid. When the gland is blocked, the oil produced by the
gland occasionally backs up and extrudes through the wall of the gland,
forming a lump, which can be red, painful, and nodular. Frequently,
bacteria can infect the blocked gland, causing increased inflammation,
pain, and redness of the eye and even redness of the surrounding eyelid
and cheek tissue.
The lump can point externally (outward) or internally (inward).
Frequently, the lump appears with a visible whitish or yellowish spot
that looks much like a large pimple.
An external sty starts as a pimple next to an eyelash. It turns into
a red, painful swelling that usually lasts several days before it
bursts and then heals. Most external stys are short-lived and
self-limiting.
An internal sty(on the underside of the lid) also causes a red,
painful swelling, but its location prevents the familiar whitehead from
appearing on the eyelid. The internal sty may disappear completely once
the infection is past, or it may leave a small fluid-filled cyst or
nodule that can persist and may have to be opened and drained.
Stys are usually caused by staphylococcal bacteria, which often live
right on the skin surface. Truth be told, our bodies are coated with
billions of friendly bacteria that coexist with us. When the conditions
are just right the bacteria feast on dead cells and other debris,
resulting in the tender pimple.
Good hand and facial washing may prevent styes from forming or coming back.
About the Author
Is Eye Sty Dangerous? Find out more at http://EyeSty.eWhy.info
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