Sty

Symptoms

Does this describe your child's symptoms?

Definition

• A sty is a red lump or pimple on the edge of an eyelid

Symptoms

• A tender, red lump on the eyelid at the base of an eyelash
• A small pimple on the eyelid at the base of an eyelash
• A sty is tender to touch
• A sty causes mild swelling of the eyelid
• A sty can cause a watery eye

Causes

• An infection of the hair follicle of an eyelash. The most common cause is the Staph bacteria.
• Risk factors: Rubbing the eyes (especially after picking the nose - the most frequent home of Staph). Also, more common with eye makeup.

Return To School

• Children with a sty usually do not need to miss any school or child care. 

Should I Call?

When to Call Your Doctor

• You think your child looks or acts very sick
• Eyelid is very red or very swollen
• You think your child needs to be seen urgently

• You think your child needs to be seen, but not urgently
• Sty becomes larger than 1/4 inch (6 mm)

• You have other questions or concerns
• 2 or more styes are present
• Styes have occurred 3 or more times
• Sty has come to a head (pimple visible), but has not drained after 3 days
• Sty present for more than 10 days

• One sty and you don't think your child needs to be seen

Care at Home

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR A STY

1. Reassurance:
   • A sty is a minor infection of an eyelash.
   • A sty usually comes to a head and forms a pimple in 3 to 5 days.
   • In a few more days, it usually drains and heals.
   • Most styes can be treated at home.
2. Local Heat:
   • Apply a warm, wet washcloth to the eye for 10 minutes 4 times a day to help the sty come to a head.
   • Continue the warm wet compresses several times a day even after the sty begins to drain. (Reason: remove the discharge)
   • Caution: Do not rub the eye (Reason: can cause more styes)
3. Open the Pimple:
   • Age limit: Your child is over 5 years old and cooperative
   • When the center of the sty becomes yellow, you can open it by pulling out the eyelash that goes through the pimple. Use a tweezers. This will initiate drainage and healing.
   • Another option is to wait for spontaneous drainage (usually another 1-2 days).
   • Caution: Do not squeeze the red lump. (Reason: can cause an eyelid infection)
4. Antibiotic Eye Medicine:
   • Most single styes respond to the treatment with local heat and don't need an antibiotic.
   • Indications for antibiotic: multiple styes, recurrent styes or children with an eye rubbing habit.
5. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Eyelid becomes red or swollen
   • The sty comes to a head, but has not drained by 3 days
   • More styes occur
   • Sty is not resolved by 10 days

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.