Sty - causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention

A stye, medically known as a hordeolum, is an acute, purulent inflammation of the sebaceous or sweat glands on the eyelid caused by a bacterial infection, usually with Staphylococcus aureus.

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A stye, medically known as a hordeolum, is an acute, purulent inflammation of the sebaceous or sweat glands on the eyelid caused by a bacterial infection, usually with Staphylococcus aureus.

The infection leads to a painful, reddened swelling at the edge of the eyelid or inside the eyelid, which may be accompanied by the formation of pus. In most cases, a stye heals on its own within a few days to weeks, but if left untreated, it can lead to more severe swelling or, rarely, spread of the infection.

The main symptoms of a stye are redness, swelling, tenderness and pain in the area of the affected eyelid. In some cases, there may be a foreign body sensation in the eye, increased lacrimation and sensitivity to light. A distinction is made between an external sty (Hordeolum externum), which affects the glands at the edge of the eyelid, and an internal sty (Hordeolum internum), which infects the deeper meibomian glands in the eyelid. A sty is often confused with a chalazion (chalazion), which, however, is not caused by bacteria and is more of a chronic, painless hardening of the eyelid glands.

Conventional treatment includes warm compresses to support the maturation process and, in more severe cases, antibiotic eye drops or ointments. From a naturopathic perspective, many alternative practitioners and osteopaths rely on the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of Lactoferrin, which is dissolved in normal eye drops and can be a natural alternative to antibiotic preparations. Lactoferrin has an antimicrobial effect against Staphylococcus aureus, strengthens the local immune defence and can help to fight the infection without affecting the natural eye flora. Other proven naturopathic measures include the use of eyebright extracts (Euphrasia), marigold compresses or warm tea bags with black or green tea, which have astringent and soothing effects.

For the prevention of styes, regular eyelid margin hygiene, avoiding rubbing the eyes with unwashed hands and strengthening the immune system through a nutrient-rich diet should be taken into account. Micronutrients such as zinc, vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids can help to stabilise the skin and mucosal barrier and reduce the risk of recurrent infections. In cases of chronically recurring styes, further diagnostics may be required to rule out underlying factors such as diabetes, an imbalance in the intestinal flora or an immune deficiency.