Stye

• Red, tender bump on the eyelid
• Eyelid swelling
• Eye redness
• Watery eye
• Feeling like something is in the eye
• Crusting along the eyelid
• Light sensitivity

Usually a bacterial infection (most often Staphylococcus) of an oil gland or eyelash follicle at the eyelid margin. In kids the most common triggers are rubbing the eyes with unwashed hands, eye rubbing from allergies or tiredness, blocked oil glands (blepharitis), and sharing towels, pillows, or goggles at daycare, school, camp, or swim lessons. Kids who already have eczema, seasonal allergies, or recurring pinkeye tend to get styes more often.

Very common in children, especially school-age kids and frequent eye-rubbers. A stye itself is not contagious the way pinkeye is, but the bacteria can pass between kids through shared towels, pillows, or hands, so styes sometimes show up in siblings or classmates around the same time.

At home: hold a clean warm compress (a washcloth run under warm water, comfortably warm not hot) on the closed eyelid for 5 to 10 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day. Distraction helps: a show, a story, or a song makes it easier for a young child to sit still. Afterward, gently wipe along the lash line with a clean, damp cloth. Never squeeze or pop it, and keep your child from picking at it. Skip contact lenses and any eye makeup until it heals. Children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen (age-appropriate dosing) can ease soreness. Over-the-counter redness drops are not needed and are not recommended for styes in kids. Call your pediatrician if swelling spreads to the cheek or the whole eyelid, the eye is hard to open, vision changes, there is a fever, your child is under 1 year old, or it has not improved in about a week: a prescription antibiotic ointment or a simple in-office drainage may be needed.

Teach kids to wash hands before touching their face and to avoid rubbing their eyes. Treat underlying allergies so there is less rubbing, wash pillowcases and towels often, and do not share washcloths, towels, goggles, or hats. If your child gets styes repeatedly, a nightly warm washcloth on the closed lids plus gentle lid cleaning (a doctor-recommended lid wipe or diluted baby shampoo) can keep the oil glands open. Older kids who wear contacts or makeup should remove both before bed.

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