Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Spanish version

What is a stye?

A stye is an infection of the area where an eyelash is attached to the eye (hair follicle). It is caused by a bacteria. Your child's eye will have:

• a tender, red bump at the base of an eyelash
• a small pimple at the base of an eyelash.

How can I take care of my child?

• Use antibiotic eye ointment.

  Bad styes or recurrent styes may need an antibiotic eye ointment as prescribed by your child's doctor.

• Put a warm cloth on the eye.

  Apply a warm washcloth to the eye for 10 minutes four times a day to help the stye come to a head (shows pus in the center). Continue to cleanse the eye with warm water even after the stye drains.

• Open the pimple.

  When the stye has a center of pus, open it by pulling out the eyelash that comes out of the pimple with tweezers. Your other option is just to continue using warm washcloths. Most styes will drain by themselves in a few days after they come to a head.

How can my child prevent the stye from spreading?

Ask your child not to touch his eyes because rubbing can cause spread of the infection to other eyelashes.

Call your child's doctor right away if:

• The eyelid becomes very red and causes a fever.

Call your child's doctor during office hours if:

• The stye is not draining or improved by 3 days.
• The stye is not completely healed by 10 days.
• Styes recur.
• You have other concerns or questions.