Sty In Babies – Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

Q: How Long Does A Stye Last On A Baby?

In 3 to 5 days, a sty will normally come to a head and develop a pimple. Most of the time, it drains and recovers in a few days.

Q: Do Styes Need Antibiotics?

If your stye continues, your doctor may advise you to use antibiotics.

Parents need to have a better understanding of possible infections that may affect their babies. The sudden appearance of a pus-filled red bump on the eyelid of your little one can be both an alarming and unpleasant sight. But there is no need to panic as it could simply be an irritation, which can be resolved with home remedies.

What Is A Sty?

A Sty, also known as Hordeolum, is a common eye infection that happens when the bacteria (staphylococcus aureus) infect the oil glands present at the base of the eyelashes. Generally, it appears as a red, pus-filled lump on the upper or lower eyelid. It can occur on the outside or inside of the eyelid. Either way, it is always found on the edge of the eyelid from where the eyelashes start to grow.

Are Styes Common In Babies?

Styes are relatively uncommon in babies. They typically occur when a hair follicle or oil gland at the base of an eyelash becomes infected, leading to a localized red and swollen area on the eyelid. While styes can develop in people of all ages, including infants, they are more commonly seen in older children and adults. If a baby develops symptoms such as redness, swelling, or discharge near the eyelid, it’s advisable to consult a pediatrician or an eye doctor for proper evaluation and guidance.

Symptoms Of Sty In Babies

The first sign of a sty is the appearance of a red bump at the edge of the eyelid which may look similar to a pimple. The bump starts to increase in size gradually. The yellow discharge also oozes through the boil, making the eyelid of the baby crusty. The baby mostly shows irritation, not because of pain, but due to the presence of a small hard mass beneath or on the eyelid.

What Causes Sty In Babies?

A sty is a bacterial infection. Normally the bacteria alone are not the cause of infection. There are other ways to enter these microbes into the eye.

It can be caused due to the following reasons

The baby rubs and scratches the eye with dirty hands
The baby plays with dirty water that gets into the eye
Dirty towels are used to clean the baby’s eyes.

The bacteria gets into the area of the hair follicle of eyelashes and to the ducts of numerous sebaceous glands that are present in the eyelid. As a result, these glands become blocked. The bacteria infect the secretion of the gland that accumulates inside the ducts resulting in the formation of a reddish bump.

How Is The Sty In Babies Diagnosed?

A general eye examination alone is required to diagnose the sty in babies.

What Are The Treatment Options For Sty In Babies?

Even though the sty goes away within a week or so, here are some treatment options and steps that help to ease the irritation in your baby and speed up the healing process:

1. Use A Warm Compress Over Your Baby’s Eyelid

You can use a flannel dipped in warm water. Press it gently against the bump for about ten minutes. Repeat it four to five times a day for several days. If the baby is not allowed, do it when he is asleep. This home remedy helps the clogged oil in the bump to liquefy and eventually drain off thus curing the sty.

2. Never Meddle With The Sty

Never attempt to apply pressure on the sty by squeezing and popping it in order to drain out the pus. It not only causes severe pain but also aggravates the infection.

3. Clean The Affected Area Thoroughly

With the help of sterilized cotton wool or a clean, soft cloth, clean the affected eyelid thoroughly three to four times a day. You can even dilute tearless baby shampoo with water for better cleaning.

4. Ointments

If the infection starts to spread in both eyelids, the doctor may prescribe antibiotic ointments and oral antibiotics to treat it.

5. Open And Drain The Sty

This decision will be taken by the doctor if the infection is very severe and not subsiding even after trying out all the above treatment options. It will be done to prevent the sty from growing into something more serious like periorbital cellulitis

When Should I Seek Medical Attention If My Baby Has A Sty?

Though sty is comparatively a harmless eye infection that can be resolved with home remedies, if proper care is not given, it can lead to a more serious eye infection. Therefore, take your baby to the doctor if:

The baby is less than 4 months old
The infection spreads on both upper and lower eyelids
The lump does not disappear even after using a warm compress for a week
More than one sty appears at a time
Another sty appears immediately after the first one has healed

How To Prevent Sty In Babies?

There are no foolproof measures to prevent infections in babies, as infants are more prone to infections. It is applicable when it comes to sty also. However, following personal hygiene tips may help to keep sty at bay to a certain extent.

Washing your baby’s hands frequently
Washing your hands before feeding, bathing, or touching your baby
Not sharing your baby’s towel with anyone
Using a separate face towel for your baby and not using the same as a body towel

If your baby has got a sty in one eye, then you should take the following preventive measures to stop it from spreading to the other eye:

Wash your baby’s hands more often
Never let him touch the infected eye
Always clean the uninfected eye in the same way as you clean the infected eye (but obviously with a new cotton swab and liquid)

So, take good care of the eyes of your baby so that he is cured soon.

FAQ’s

1. What Causes A Stye In Babies?

An infection of the oil-secreting (sebaceous) or sweat glands in the eyelid is the root cause of a stye. Staphylococcus aureus is a common source of infection.

2. How Long Does A Stye Last On A Baby?

In 3 to 5 days, a sty will normally come to the head and develop a pimple. Most of the time, it drains and recovers in a few days.

3. Are Eye Styes Contagious?

Styes are not usually contagious. Small quantities of germs, however, may be transferred from your or your child’s stye. This is why it’s critical to constantly wash your hands before and after touching a sty, as well as to wash pillowcases on a regular basis, to help prevent the germs from spreading.

4. Do Styes Need Antibiotics?

If your sty continues, your doctor may advise you to use antibiotics.

5. Are Styes Painful For Babies?

Styes may cause your baby to feel as though he or she has a foreign object in his or her eye, but they should not cause pain.

6. Will Styes Go Away Naturally?

Most styes resolve on their own in a few days to two weeks. Home remedies such as applying a warm, clean washcloth to a closed eye many times each day will help a sty drain.