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Stye

Very low urgency
Common-
The inflammation of a hair follicle or gland located on the eyelid at the base of eyelashes is known as a stye or hordeolum. The inflammation is generally caused by a Staphylococcus aureus bacterial infection. Symptoms include inflammation and/or a soft red lump at the edge of the eyelid that is warm and painful to the touch. They can sometimes disappear spontaneously by draining their content. Diagnosis is clinical. Treatment consists of cleansing the area with damp warm compresses, antibiotics if required and surgical drainage in exceptional cases.
Bibliographic references
  1. Chandak Ghosh. Eyelid lesions. UpToDate, Septiembre 2015
  2. Roni M Shtein. Blepharitis. UpToDate, Marzo 2016
  3. Shine WE. Polar lipids in human meibomian gland secretions. Curr Eye Res 2003; 26:89.
  4. Shine WE. Meibomianitis: polar lipid abnormalities. Cornea 2004; 23:781.
  5. McCulley JP. The lipid layer of tears: dependent on meibomian gland function. Exp Eye Res 2004; 78:361.
  6. Jonathan C. Horton. Trastornos de los ojos. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna, 19e. Capítulo 39
Author
Dr. Patricia Sánchez
Copyright
© TeckelMedical 2026

Symptoms

    Soft lump on the eyelid

    Painful lump on the eyelid

    Eyelid lump

    Swollen eyelid

    Reddened eyelid

Symptoms to watch out for

Fever (temperature higher than 100.4 ºF)
Redness and swelling all over the eyelid that radiates towards the cheek and other parts of the face
Persistence of symptoms for more than two weeks after initial treatment

Self-care

Avoid rubbing your eyes.
Rinse the eyelid with soap and water.
Apply warm compresses 3 to 4 times a day for 10 to 15 minutes.
Stop using contact lenses.
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