Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesWhen to See a ProviderComplicationsTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
When to See a Provider
Complications
Treatment
Prevention
An internal stye is a small, red bump on the inside of the eyelid.It can be itchy and may be more painful than styes outside the eyelid. As it gets bigger, an internal stye presses down on the lid of the eye, which can be uncomfortable.
This article will go over the causes of internal styes, how long they last, and the treatments available.
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Stye TypesAninternal styeis a stye inside the eyelid. This infection starts in an oil-producing gland in the eye. Anexternal styebegins at the base of the eyelash. An infection in the hair follicle is often to blame for this type of stye, which looks like a pimple.
Stye Types
Aninternal styeis a stye inside the eyelid. This infection starts in an oil-producing gland in the eye. Anexternal styebegins at the base of the eyelash. An infection in the hair follicle is often to blame for this type of stye, which looks like a pimple.
Internal Stye Symptoms
Aside from a painful bump on the inside of the eyelid, other symptoms of an internal stye can include:
Styes are not contagious. It’s rare, but possible, for the bacteria that cause an eye infection to spread through shared objects like towels or pillowcases.
How Long Does an Internal Stye Last?
Styes tend to open up and drain within two to four days of forming. Most internal styes completely heal after a week.However, internal styes sometimes do not rupture on their own and can turn into another eye condition called achalazion, a larger bump.
What Causes a Stye Inside the Eyelid?
The most common cause of an internal stye is a bacterial infection calledStaphylococcus aureus.The infection often starts in the tiny glands along the edge of the eyelid that lubricate the eye’s surface and provide the oil needed to make tears (meibomianglands). A stye can also start in other types of glands.
Risk factors that could make you more likely to get an internal stye include:
Can Stress Cause a Stye?Stress does not directly cause a stye but being stressed can weaken your immune system and make you more likely to get infections.
Can Stress Cause a Stye?
Stress does not directly cause a stye but being stressed can weaken your immune system and make you more likely to get infections.
Here are some clues that you should see a provider for an internal stye:
A possible complication of an internal stye is that it will turn into achalazion, which is a swollen bump that is located on the eyelid. A chalazion is usually not painful, but it can get red, swollen, and tender. If the chalazion gets too big, it can press on the eye and cause blurry vision.
If you’ve had an internal stye, it’s possible that you’ll get another—it may even become a recurring problem for you. Your healthcare provider may want to do a biopsy of the stye to make sure it’s not something more serious—for example, a rare type ofeye cancer(sebaceous carcinoma) is aneyelid tumorthat causes growths that look like styes.
Styes can turn into a more serious infection, such as cellulitis. If your internal stye is not getting better, make sure to see your provider and have it checked.
How to Tell a Stye From a ChalazionYou can tell apart astye and a chalazionbecause:A stye is painful; a chalazion usually isn’t.A stye often surfaces at the edge of an eyelid and swells; a chalazion bump usually grows further back on the eyelid.A stye tends to form quickly while a chalazion develops more gradually.A stye can be filled with pus and have a yellow head. Chalazia do not fill with pus.
How to Tell a Stye From a Chalazion
You can tell apart astye and a chalazionbecause:A stye is painful; a chalazion usually isn’t.A stye often surfaces at the edge of an eyelid and swells; a chalazion bump usually grows further back on the eyelid.A stye tends to form quickly while a chalazion develops more gradually.A stye can be filled with pus and have a yellow head. Chalazia do not fill with pus.
You can tell apart astye and a chalazionbecause:
How to Treat a Stye
There are several treatments for a stye on the inside of your eyelid that might be needed if it’s not going away on its own.
Medications or Procedures
Medical treatments for a stubborn internal stye that doesn’t respond to self-care remedies may include:
Self-Care
At-home treatments for internal styes may not be enough to clear them up. However, they can help with your symptoms while you’re waiting for the stye to get better on its own or for medical treatment to work.
While you’re healing:
What to Know About Antibiotic Eye Ointments
You can’t always prevent an internal stye, especially if you’re prone to them. However, there are some general eye health tips that can help make them less likely to pop up.
Since styes happen when bacteria or dirt get into oil glands in the eye or eyelash hair follicles, reducing exposure to bacteria can help prevent them. Some ways to do this include:
Summary
Internal styes can be a temporary, if not annoying, eye problem that goes away on its own in a few weeks. However, if you have a stye that is not getting better or you get styes a lot, you should see your provider.
In some cases, you can manage the symptoms of a stye while it’s healing with some home remedies. An infected stye or one that’s very stubborn may need medical treatment like antibiotic drops to clear up.
You can’t always prevent styes but taking care of your eyes (like keeping your face clean) can help make them less likely to happen.
13 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.McAlinden C, González-Andrades M, Skiadaresi E.Hordeolum: Acute abscess within an eyelid sebaceous gland.CCJM. 2016;83(5):332-334. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.83a.15012American Optometric Association.Hordeolums (stye).Lindsley K, Nichols JJ, Dickersin K.Non‐surgical interventions for acute internal hordeolum.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2017;(1). doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007742.pub4American Academy of Ophthalmology.What are chalazia and styes?.National Health Service.Stye.University of Michigan Health.Styes and chalazia.BMJ Best Practice.Stye and chalazion.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hordeolum (stye).Hosseini K, Bourque LB, Hays RD.Development and evaluation of a measure of patient-reported symptoms of blepharitis.Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. 2018;16(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s12955-018-0839-5NYL Langone.Diagnosing stye.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma overview.American Optometric Association.Chalazion.National Institutes of Health.Styes and chalazia.
13 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.McAlinden C, González-Andrades M, Skiadaresi E.Hordeolum: Acute abscess within an eyelid sebaceous gland.CCJM. 2016;83(5):332-334. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.83a.15012American Optometric Association.Hordeolums (stye).Lindsley K, Nichols JJ, Dickersin K.Non‐surgical interventions for acute internal hordeolum.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2017;(1). doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007742.pub4American Academy of Ophthalmology.What are chalazia and styes?.National Health Service.Stye.University of Michigan Health.Styes and chalazia.BMJ Best Practice.Stye and chalazion.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hordeolum (stye).Hosseini K, Bourque LB, Hays RD.Development and evaluation of a measure of patient-reported symptoms of blepharitis.Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. 2018;16(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s12955-018-0839-5NYL Langone.Diagnosing stye.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma overview.American Optometric Association.Chalazion.National Institutes of Health.Styes and chalazia.
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.
McAlinden C, González-Andrades M, Skiadaresi E.Hordeolum: Acute abscess within an eyelid sebaceous gland.CCJM. 2016;83(5):332-334. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.83a.15012American Optometric Association.Hordeolums (stye).Lindsley K, Nichols JJ, Dickersin K.Non‐surgical interventions for acute internal hordeolum.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2017;(1). doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007742.pub4American Academy of Ophthalmology.What are chalazia and styes?.National Health Service.Stye.University of Michigan Health.Styes and chalazia.BMJ Best Practice.Stye and chalazion.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hordeolum (stye).Hosseini K, Bourque LB, Hays RD.Development and evaluation of a measure of patient-reported symptoms of blepharitis.Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. 2018;16(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s12955-018-0839-5NYL Langone.Diagnosing stye.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma overview.American Optometric Association.Chalazion.National Institutes of Health.Styes and chalazia.
McAlinden C, González-Andrades M, Skiadaresi E.Hordeolum: Acute abscess within an eyelid sebaceous gland.CCJM. 2016;83(5):332-334. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.83a.15012
American Optometric Association.Hordeolums (stye).
Lindsley K, Nichols JJ, Dickersin K.Non‐surgical interventions for acute internal hordeolum.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2017;(1). doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007742.pub4
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What are chalazia and styes?.
National Health Service.Stye.
University of Michigan Health.Styes and chalazia.
BMJ Best Practice.Stye and chalazion.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hordeolum (stye).
Hosseini K, Bourque LB, Hays RD.Development and evaluation of a measure of patient-reported symptoms of blepharitis.Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. 2018;16(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s12955-018-0839-5
NYL Langone.Diagnosing stye.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: Sebaceous carcinoma overview.
American Optometric Association.Chalazion.
National Institutes of Health.Styes and chalazia.
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