Styes (hordeolum)
A small area of redness and pain on the margin of your eyelid
may indicate that you have a stye, known in medical terms
as an external hordeolum. A stye is a blocked gland at the
edge of the lid that has become infected by bacteria, usually
Staphylococcus aureus.
The area of redness and pain will eventually form a 'point'.
Until this occurs, warm compresses should be applied to the
area for 15 minutes three-to-four times a day. Our doctors
often prescribe an antibiotic ointment in conjunction to warm
compresses to aid in healing.
Remember that a stye that has not come to a 'point' should
never be forcefully squeezed. Only when the stye has 'pointed',
can it be gently expressed to empty its contents, after which
the lids should be cleaned. Treatment with the ointment should
be continued until symptoms have cleared. Sometimes it is
necessary for the stye to be lanced to assist with expression.
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