Stye

Question 1

What are 4 symptoms of styes?

Answer 1

1. Painful, red, tender lump on the eyelid
2. A sense of foreign body
3. sensation in the eye that can lead to irritation and watery eyes
4. May develop a white/yellow top (i.e., pointing)

Question 2

Do styes require a counselling room?

Answer 2

No

Question 3

Do styes have a PSA self-care card?

Answer 3

No

Question 4

What is the preferred treatment option for styes?

Answer 4

Hot compresses

Question 5

What are the directions for hot compresses in styes?

Answer 5

Place a warm compress on the affected eyelid for 10 -20 minutes (replace with a second warm compress if needed) at least 3-4 times per day to assist with drainage.

Question 6

What is 1 non-preferred option for styes and why?

Answer 6

1. All pharmacological management: not indicated

Question 7

Are hot compresses safe in pregnancy?

Answer 7

Yes

Question 8

Are hot compresses safe in breastfeeding?

Answer 8

Yes

Question 9

What is the age range for hot compresses?

Answer 9

Safe in all ages

Question 10

What are 4 pieces of non-pharmacological advice for styes?

Answer 10

1. Styes are usually self-limiting. They can take anywhere from a couple of days to 2 weeks to heal
2. Wash your hands frequently
3. Don’t touch, rub, or squeeze the stye. If the stye is not ready to burst, the infected pus may be squeezed into the tissue next to the stye, causing the infection to spread further
4. Dispose of a used ‘compress’ in a rubbish bin, so that others do not have to handle it.

Question 11

How do styes resolve?

Answer 11

The surface over the stye may break, releasing the pus, or the swelling may go away without bursting, when the body’s immune system is able to control the infection. If the pus drains out of the stye, the lump goes away quite quickly. Otherwise, the swelling may take longer to go down. Most clear up within a few days

Question 12

What is a risk of popping styes?

Answer 12

Infection from one stye can spread and cause more styes. Popping styes increases the risk of this.

Question 13

How hot should hot compresses be for styes?

Answer 13

Hot compresses should be as hot as the patient can manage comfortably without burning themselves

Question 14

What is the role of antibacterial eye drops for styes?

Answer 14

Antibacterial medicines are usually not required

Question 15

Where do styes typically occur?

Answer 15

At the point can be along the edge of the eyelid (where eyelashes grow), or it can be inside the eyelid. It is not usual for it to be on the outside of the eyelid