Inflammation of the eyelid gland in the eye | pigsty | hordeolum

Styes are caused by an infection with pus bacteria (staphylococci). If the stye persists, this indicates a weakened immune system, such as diabetes mellitus, or constant reinfection, for example through touching with dirty hands or acne.

The eyelid has several different glands. The so-called Meibomian glands are located in the inner part of the eyelid, while the so-called Moll and Zeis glands are located adjacent to the eyelashes, that is, in the outer part of the eyelid. For this reason, two types of barley grains are distinguished. The internal hordeolum, this type of stye, is a purulent inflammation on the inner part of the eyelid and may not be visible, and the external hordeolum, this type of stye, is caused by an inflammation of the sebaceous and sweat glands in the region. the edge of the eyelid or visible eyelashes. Is coming Pus formation on the eyelid, causing painful thickening and redness. As a rule, after about a week, the “pimple” bursts and the pus drains out. Very rarely, in very severe cases of a stye, symptoms such as a general feeling of illness, fever or swollen lymph nodes may also occur.

A Hordeolum externum (external stye) can usually be diagnosed quickly due to its location on the outer edge of the eyelid. It’s usually called visual diagnosis, so the doctor knows what problem they’re dealing with just by looking at it once. However, the internal hordeolum is only discovered when the corner is bent outward.

Typically, the stye is not treated because it explodes and heals on its own. Just to speed up the healing of inflammation, warm compresses, for example with chamomile or red light compresses, can help with the maturation and opening of the stye.

The stye can be treated afterwards with eye ointment containing antibiotics from the pharmacy. They also help prevent spread to other eyelid glands. If the pus does not drain, relief may be obtained through a small incision. This incision, no matter how small, should definitely only be performed by a doctor!