Is the stye contagious?

The styes are caused by an infection that derives in the formation of a ball in the eyelid of the eye.

In addition to swelling, the stye can cause other symptoms such as pain, redness, irritation, tearing and weeping, but is the stye contagious?.

Is the ozolo contagious?

The styes are caused by an infection that derives in the formation of a ball in the eyelid of the eye.

In addition to swelling, the stye can cause other symptoms such as pain, redness, irritation, tearing and weeping, but is the stye contagious?.

What is a stye?

El orzuelo it's a bump that forms under the skin of the eyelid or at the base where the eyelashes are born.

Its origin lies in the obstruction of the sebaceous glands of the eyeWell, when these glands become clogged, bacteria begin to reproduce and lead to infection which causes the formation of a ball on the eyelid.

The stye has a very similar appearance to that of a pimple, since in addition to having a round and reddened shape, it has a white point of pus in the center.

Depending on the area where it is located, the stye may be internal or external:

  • El internal stye it grows inside the eyelid and derives from the infection of the sebaceous glands located in the eyelid of the eye.
  • El external stye it grows on the eyelid margin and is caused by infection of the hair follicle where an eyelash is born.

The infection caused by stye is caused by staphylococcus bacteria or by a chronic blepharitis.

Touching your eyes with dirty hands, not properly disinfecting contact lenses, sleeping with makeup and having oily skin are some factors that can cause an eye infection.

Is the stye contagious?

The answer is yes, and although few people know that styes stick, there is not much reason to worry.

All humans we have staph bacteria on the skin and our body hair that behave harmlessly under normal conditions.

These bacteria they act against us when there is a cut or an opening in the skin of the eyelids, since they take the opportunity to sneak into the dermis and cause an infection.  

Now, since we all have staph bacteria, it is more common for the stye to form on its own than through contagion

Anyway, when you have a stye, avoid having contact with the eye or hands of another person so that it does not spread. The slightest touch between a stye and a healthy person can be the cause of a new infection.

stye is contagious

Tips and prevention

Now that you know that the stye is contagiousIt is important that you take into account some tips to prevent this infection:

  • Do not share sheets, pillows, towels and tissues with a person who has a stye
  • Don't touch your eyes with dirty hands. It is recommended that you wash your hands with an antibacterial soap for at least 30 seconds. 
  • Don't sleep with makeup
  • makes a correct eyelid hygiene
  • Disinfects always your lenses before using them. 
  • uses a special soap if you have oily skin.
styes stick

Common Treatments for Styes

In the presence of a stye in the eye, the first thing you should do is go to the ophthalmologist. Once the doctor examines the eyelid structure and determines the cause of the stye, will prescribe the necessary treatment. 

We usually indicate the use of antibiotic drops and eye drops to fight infection. However, the stye is a harmless pathology that usually goes away on its own within 10 days.

If not, we recommend to attend again to the ophthalmologist for rule out the presence of cystic stye o Other types of eye injury such as chalazion

El The most common treatment is to do a heat therapy three times a day for 15 minutes. You should heat a handkerchief with an iron or in a microwave and then place it on the stye doing a soft and delicate massage. 

During the days that the heat treatment is carried out, it is important not wear makeup ni cosmetic creams, do not stand contact lenses y maintain good eyelid hygiene.

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Is the stye contagious? All you need to know
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Is the stye contagious? All you need to know
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Find out if a stye is contagious, what symptoms it has and how to treat it.
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Área Oftalmológica Avanzada
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