Styes and Eyelid Bumps: Red, Tender Lumps on the Eyelid and When to Be Seen

What it involves

MedlinePlus says most eyelid bumps are styes. A stye is an inflamed oil gland on the edge of the eyelid, where the lash meets the lid, and it looks like a red, swollen pimple that is often tender to the touch.

Who this is for

• Patients with a red, tender bump on the edge of the eyelid
• Patients who keep getting styes, or have flaky, crusty lashes
• Patients with a painless hard lump on the lid that has not gone away
• Parents who see a swollen eyelid and want to know when it needs a visit

What to expect

• Questions about how fast the bump came on, whether it hurts, and any change in vision
• A look at the eyelid and eye, since MedlinePlus says a stye can usually be diagnosed just by looking
• A review of lid hygiene, makeup, and contact lens habits
• A plan that may include warm compresses, an antibiotic ointment, or a referral to an eye doctor

How a stye forms

MedlinePlus explains that a blocked oil gland in the eyelid lets bacteria grow inside it, much like an acne pimple elsewhere on the skin. Styes usually develop over a few days, and you can have more than one. Eyelid inflammation called blepharitis, sometimes made worse by a skin mite called Demodex, makes styes more likely.

Stye or something else

Not every lid bump is a stye. MedlinePlus describes a few look-alikes:

• A chalazion, which forms when an inflamed oil gland becomes fully blocked and can grow large enough to affect vision
• Xanthelasma, raised yellow patches that are harmless but sometimes a sign of high cholesterol
• Papillomas, pink or skin-colored bumps that can slowly grow
• Cysts, small fluid-filled sacs that can affect vision

What helps at home

MedlinePlus recommends a warm, wet cloth on the area for 10 minutes, four times a day. It firmly says not to squeeze a stye or any other eyelid bump, to let it drain on its own, and to avoid contact lenses and eye makeup until it heals. If cholesterol is a worry because of yellow lid patches, the high cholesterol page and the lipid panel guide explain the blood test.

What a provider may add

MedlinePlus says a provider may prescribe an antibiotic ointment for a stye, and may make a small opening to drain it, which is not something to try at home. Most styes get better on their own, though they can return, and treating blepharitis can help prevent a repeat. A stye that does not respond may be referred to an eye specialist.

Signs to call about

MedlinePlus advises contacting a provider for any vision problem, a bump that worsens or does not improve within a week or two of self-care, a very large or painful bump, a blister on the lid, crusting or scaling of the lids, a red eyelid or red eye, strong light sensitivity or excess tears, a bump that bleeds, or a stye that comes back soon after treatment. Redness that spreads across the whole lid can be eyelid cellulitis, which may need oral antibiotics.

Preventing the next one

MedlinePlus suggests washing hands well before touching the skin around the eye, and, for people who get styes or have blepharitis, carefully cleaning excess oil from the lid edges with warm water and a no-tears baby shampoo. Fish oil by mouth may help prevent plugged oil glands. Irritated, red eyes without a bump may be an infection or dryness, as the pink eye guide and the dry eye guide explain.

Sources

• MedlinePlus — Eyelid bump
• MedlinePlus — Chalazion