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February 10, 2012

Patient Discussions: Sty (Stye) - Describe Your Experience

Question:Please describe your experience with sty (stye).

Comment from: dorisjp42, 35-44 Female (Patient) Published: November 06

I recently went to the eye doctor for a stye that has persisted since July. I think it is making me physically ill. The eye doctor said to use the compresses because this forces the white blood cells to the infected area. You must be persistent. He also prescribed a small dose of doxycycline. As painful and frustrating as they are, I have lived with them my whole life, and I'm 44 now. Ask your doctor about the right treatment. If you feel you are not getting the treatment you need, go elsewhere.

Related Reading: doxycycline

Comment from: auntbea67, 35-44 Female (Patient) Published: October 31

Whenever I'm stressed out, here comes a stye. I finally found out why I've been sick for 15 years: I have Fibromyalgia, so I'm wondering if that has something to do with the styes. I've had them pop up every so often and had to get one lanced. I think the one I have now will have to be lanced, too, as I've had it for a month now and it won't go away. It is embarrassing; someone always feels the need to point it out, as if I didn't know it was there. I'd love to find a way to not get one, but until then, I've resolved to the idea that they are here to pop up whenever they choose.

Related Reading: Fibromyalgia

Comment from: Strawberry sundae, 19-24 Female (Caregiver) Published: October 13

I'm a 22 year old female pharmacy student. I just recently got a stye on the inner corner of the upper lid of the eye, and I must say, it is probably the most painful and irritating feeling I have felt on my eye. I have been wearing eye make-up almost everyday for the past 3 years and hardly ever forget to wash it off before sleeping and this is the first time I have gotten a stye (I slept with my make-up on the night before). I'm currently under a lot of exam stress, and realized this is probably another reason for this "popping up.” I'm using sulphactamide eye ointment (this should not be used in people with sulphur allergy), the stye seems to be "ripening" but I find it really hard to apply the ointment and let it stay on the eye. I think a drop version will be a better option. I hope this heals and does not reoccur, but from my pharmacy notes, I have read that continuing to apply the sulphactamide ointment for a month after healing should prevent reoccurrence. I hope it heals quickly as it really hurts when I blink and I can wear may eye make-up again, n this time NEVER forgetting to wash it off before sleeping.

Related Reading: stress | allergy

Published: July 28

I am 28 years old, and have been suffering from styes for the past 4 years. It is a real hassle in my life. I use a wet hot rag on my eyes 3-6 times a day for the past 4 years; to prevent my eyes from swelling and filling up with matter. I also wash my eyes out twice a day with baby shampoo. I have been to many different doctors and they all tell me to do the same thing. There has got to be another treatment alternative in the 21st century; that does rely on hot washcloths.

Published: July 23

Fourteen months ago my husband had a brain hemorrhage and a stroke. I felt so strong during the month he was in neuroscience ICU and on a respirator and had tubes coming out of every part of his body. They did three brain surgeries and prepared me for the fact that he was not going to make it. I have always had a stress disorder. However we are not financially doomed. I am so depressed and can't seem to stop having flash backs of almost losing him. He made it but in some aspects is not the same.

Related Reading: brain hemorrhage | stroke

Comment from: lol1234, 25-34 Female (Patient) Published: November 06

I have had a stye for one week. My stye was positive for MRSA. I have had two MRSA infections in the past three months. I am under a lot of stress and have systemic lupus. My suggestion is: If you have a stye that doesn't go away, consider MRSA, which can be life-threatening.

Related Reading: MRSA | lupus

Comment from: Ala, 45-54 Female (Patient) Published: November 06

I suffered from styes a lot growing up. I used to have one after the other. The only thing that took care of them forever was a seven-day course of injections (not sure what they were ... they were supposed to boost my immune system). That worked.


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Suggested Reading on Sty (Stye) by Our Doctors

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      • Staphylococcus or Staph is a group of bacteria that can cause a multitude of diseases. Staph infections can cause illness directly by infection or indirectly by the toxins they produce. Symptoms and signs of a Staph infection include redness, swelling, pain, and drainage of pus. Minor skin infections are treated with an antibiotic ointment, while more serious infections are treated with intravenous antibiotics.
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      • MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria causes skin infections with the following signs and symptoms: cellulitis, abscesses, carbuncles, impetigo, styes, and boils. Normal skin tissue doesn't usually allow MRSA infection to develop. Individuals with depressed immune systems and people with cuts, abrasions, or chronic skin disease are more susceptible to MRSA infection.
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      • Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
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      • Cellulitis is an acute spreading bacterial infection below the surface of the skin characterized by redness, warmth, inflammation, and pain. The most common cause of cellulitis is the bacteria Staph (Staphylococcus aureus).
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      • Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However, over-stress, can be harmful. There is now speculation, as well as some evidence, that points to the abnormal stress responses as being involved in causing various diseases or conditions.
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      • Chalazions are cysts that form on the eyelid when a meibomian gland becomes inflamed. The meibomian glands secrete a mixture of oil and mucus (sebum) that lubricates the eye. When the gland becomes clogged, the material builds up and causes swelling.
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Sty (Stye)

What is a cyst?

A cyst is a closed, saclike structure that contains fluid, gas, or semisolid material and is not a normal part of the tissue where it is located. Cysts are common and can occur anywhere in the body in people of any age. Cysts vary in size; they may be detectable only under a microscope or they can grow so large that they displace normal organs and tissues. The outer wall of a cyst is called the capsule.

What are the causes of a cyst?

Cysts can arise through a variety of processes in the body, including

  • "wear and tear" or simple obstructions to the flow of fluid,
  • infections,
  • tumors,
  • chronic inflammatory conditions,
  • genetic (inherited) conditions,
  • defects in developing organs in the embryo.

Most cysts arise due to the types of conditions listed above and are only preventable to the extent that the underlying ...

Read the Cysts article »







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