Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Verywell / Daniel Fishel
Both blepharitis andstyescan cause painful swelling or inflammation of your eyelid. While these two conditions share some symptoms, there are some clear differences.
While both conditions can cause redness, pain, and swelling, the key difference is that blepharitis typically develops along the entire eyelid. A stye, on the other hand, develops as a single lump or nodule on a particular oil or sweat gland along the eyelid.
BlepharitisEyelid swellingCrusting along the eyelidPainSensitivity to lightItching or a scratchy feelingBurningExcessive tearingBlurred visionFlaky skinOil buildupStyeEyelid swellingCrusting along the eyelidPainItching or a scratchy feelingA red lump on the eyelid
BlepharitisEyelid swellingCrusting along the eyelidPainSensitivity to lightItching or a scratchy feelingBurningExcessive tearingBlurred visionFlaky skinOil buildup
Eyelid swelling
Crusting along the eyelid
Pain
Sensitivity to light
Itching or a scratchy feeling
Burning
Excessive tearing
Blurred vision
Flaky skin
Oil buildup
StyeEyelid swellingCrusting along the eyelidPainItching or a scratchy feelingA red lump on the eyelid
A red lump on the eyelid
RecapBlepharitis and styes can both make your eyelid appear red and swollen, but a stye usually forms in one specific spot as a pimple-like lump. Blepharitis usually affects the whole eyelid.
Recap
Blepharitis and styes can both make your eyelid appear red and swollen, but a stye usually forms in one specific spot as a pimple-like lump. Blepharitis usually affects the whole eyelid.
Blepharitis
Stye
There are not as many causes of styes, but a number of nonspecific issues can lead to the blockages that form styes. Common causes of styes include:
RecapThere are subtle differences in the causes of both of these conditions, but bacteria and blocked glands are common reasons both blepharitis and styes develop.
There are subtle differences in the causes of both of these conditions, but bacteria and blocked glands are common reasons both blepharitis and styes develop.
Diagnosis of blepharitis and styes is done after a closephysical examination of the eye. Your doctor may use bright lights or a magnifier.
Cultures, or samples of discharge, may be taken to identify the bacteria causing the conditions.
Which Came First?In some cases, your doctor may diagnose you with both blepharitis and a stye. Inflammation could begin as blepharitis—especially when it’s chronic—and progress to form a stye.
Which Came First?
In some cases, your doctor may diagnose you with both blepharitis and a stye. Inflammation could begin as blepharitis—especially when it’s chronic—and progress to form a stye.
Chronic blepharitis is common in people with oily skin, or conditions that create skin flakes like dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.Treatmentsmay include:
Whiletreatments for styesmay also include antibiotic eye drops or ointments, there are some differences in how this condition is managed. First, warm compresses should be used multiple times throughout the day to help clear the gland where the blockage is and the mass has formed.You may be told to gently massage the lid after using the warm compress.
However, you should never squeeze a stye.
RecapAntibiotics and warm compresses can help treat both styes and blepharitis. The big difference between treating the two is that blepharitis can be chronic and that you should not massage or squeeze a stye.
Antibiotics and warm compresses can help treat both styes and blepharitis. The big difference between treating the two is that blepharitis can be chronic and that you should not massage or squeeze a stye.
Are Eye Styes Contagious?
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Eyelids are delicate, and even the smallest particle in your eye can be irritating. Your doctor can prescribe eye drops for either blepharitis or styes, but warm compresses and good hygiene are the best and most immediate ways to treat these conditions before they become severe.
Frequently Asked QuestionsBlepharitis and styes can have the same causes, but blepharitis causes inflammation on the whole eyelid, while a stye forms as a pimple-like mass, usually along one blocked sweat or oil gland.Sometimes. Blepharitis is usually a chronic problem that can cause inflammation and swelling along your eyelid. When bacteria and blocked glands are centered in one particular gland, they can form a mass, or stye.Yes. Styes can usually be resolved with treatment, but blepharitis is chronic in many cases. Talk to your doctor about how to manage chronic eyelid irritation.
Blepharitis and styes can have the same causes, but blepharitis causes inflammation on the whole eyelid, while a stye forms as a pimple-like mass, usually along one blocked sweat or oil gland.
Sometimes. Blepharitis is usually a chronic problem that can cause inflammation and swelling along your eyelid. When bacteria and blocked glands are centered in one particular gland, they can form a mass, or stye.
Yes. Styes can usually be resolved with treatment, but blepharitis is chronic in many cases. Talk to your doctor about how to manage chronic eyelid irritation.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Stye.Carlisle RT, Digiovanni J.Differential diagnosis of the red swollen eyelid.Am Fam Physician.92(2):106-112.Cleveland Clinic.Blepharitis.American Optometric Association.Hordeolum (stye).
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Stye.Carlisle RT, Digiovanni J.Differential diagnosis of the red swollen eyelid.Am Fam Physician.92(2):106-112.Cleveland Clinic.Blepharitis.American Optometric Association.Hordeolum (stye).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Stye.Carlisle RT, Digiovanni J.Differential diagnosis of the red swollen eyelid.Am Fam Physician.92(2):106-112.Cleveland Clinic.Blepharitis.American Optometric Association.Hordeolum (stye).
Cleveland Clinic.Stye.
Carlisle RT, Digiovanni J.Differential diagnosis of the red swollen eyelid.Am Fam Physician.92(2):106-112.
Cleveland Clinic.Blepharitis.
American Optometric Association.Hordeolum (stye).
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