When your eyelid swells up with a red, tender bump, it’s not just annoying, it’s distracting, painful, and sometimes even alarming. You’re likely dealing with a stye (medically known as a hordeolum), and while it’s typically harmless, it can seriously interfere with your daily routine. At OBUR Health, we help patients treat and manage styes with gentle, effective care because no one should have to suffer through an eye infection alone.
A stye is a localized infection or inflammation of the oil glands near the edge of the eyelid. It usually presents as a small, red bump that looks like a pimple or boil. The most common culprit? A blocked or infected meibomian gland or hair follicle caused by Staphylococcus bacteria.
Although styes are usually not serious, they can cause significant discomfort, eye watering, and even temporary vision obstruction if left untreated.
Anyone can develop a stye, but certain factors increase the risk:
Understanding these triggers can help prevent styes from recurring. If you’re prone to styes, it may indicate an underlying condition worth addressing with your eye care provider.
Yes, styes are caused by bacteria, which can spread through touch or shared items like towels. Always wash your hands and avoid touching your eyes.
With proper care, most styes resolve within 7–10 days. If it’s taking longer or getting worse, seek medical help.
No. While both appear as bumps on the eyelid, a chalazion is caused by a blocked gland without infection. Styes are typically painful and infected.
Frequent styes might be a sign of chronic eyelid inflammation or systemic conditions like diabetes. We can help identify underlying causes during your exam.
