Stye (hordeolum) - is an infection of the sebaceous glands of Zeis at the base of the eyelashes (external stye), or an infection of the apocrine sweat glands of Moll (internal stye). External styes form on the outside of the lids and can be seen as small red bumps. Internal styes are infections of the meibomian sebaceous glands lining the inside of the eyelids. Symptoms of both forms - an inflammation and edema of the eyelid edge, redness, pain. Stye is caused by a bacterial infection (90-95% caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium) and occurs most often in a weakened immunity (for example, after the common cold).
Pathogenesis
On the edge of eyelid appears painful, limited edema and conjunctival redness. In 2-4 days on top formes a yellowish head, which contain water and pus with particles of dead tissue. There may be a few styes. In some cases - headaches, fever, increase of the nearest lymph nodes.
Squeezing of pus is contraindicated - such an attempt can lead to the spread of infection in the direction of the orbit with the appearance of phlegmon of the orbit, thrombosis of cavernous sinus, meningitis or even death.
Risk factors
Risk factors for stye are
- general hypothermia,
- decreased immunity,
- avitaminosis,
- endocrine disorders,
- chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- An important place occupies condition of the lids: demodex, blepharitis.
Prevention
The primary prevention of stye - first of all personal hygiene. Need to try not to touch or rub your eyes with dirty hands. Use personal cosmetics and personal personal care products (towels, sponges for washing, etc.). Also plays an important role immunity of the person.
Treatment
At the beginning - lubrication of eyelid skin with 70% ethanol or 1% alcoholic solution of brilliant green 3-5 times a day, which often allows to suspend further development of the disease. Instillation of 20-30% sulfacetamide solution, 1% of penicillin solution or erythromycin solution, 0.1% solution of dexamethasone, 0.3% prednisolone solution, 1% hydrocortisone emulsion 3-4 times day.
Lubrication of eyelid skin in the area of infiltration and laying of ointments containing sulfonamides and antibiotics, Not recommended wet compresses and lotions (as advised doctors to do at the end of XIX - early XX century), as well as wetting of the skin leads to its maceration and penetration of infection in other holes of the excretory ducts of the sebaceous glands, which can give a recurrent inflammation.
Undesirable warming, tampering, squeezing out the source of inflammation, as this may spread the infection to surrounding tissue up to inflammation of the orbit and meninges. At increase of body temperature and general malaise should consult with your doctor to decide necessity of antibiotic therapy. In the formation of an abscess may require surgical intervention.
Prognosis is usually favorable. Timely active treatment of stye and related diseases allows to avoid complications. Patients with recurrent stye should be carefully examined in order to identify possible etiological and predisposing factors.
