Styes are a cluster of more than one stye. The condition is characterized by a tiny or sizable bump on the eyelids, beneath the eyes or inside the eyelids. Stye is alternately spelled as sty. The condition is primarily caused by the blockage of one of the many glands that are present in and around the eyes. Styes are a common condition that can affect men, women and kids. It may happen to people of all ages.
Types of Styes
Styes are usually of two types. One is known as hordeolum sty or just hordeolum and the other is known as chalazion sty or just chalazion. Hordeolum is caused when one of the sweat glands is blocked. There are many sweat glands and sebaceous glands in and around the eyes. These glands are usually found in the skin of the eyelids and at the bases of eyelashes. The sebaceous glands or sweat glands, when blocked, do not get to usher in sebum or sweat in respective cases to the surface of the lids or onto the bases of the eyelashes. This eventually leads to the formation of styes.
Chalazion causes styes by blocking the meibomian gland. Meibomian gland is also a type of sebaceous gland but it is located at the front of the eyelids with its opening onto the rim of the lids just at the point where the eyelashes protrude out. When the meibomian gland is blocked, it cannot pass on the sebum onto the rim of the eyelids and thus eventually causes styes.
Health Conditions Associated with Styes
There are numerous conditions and factors that cause or contribute to the causes of styes. Scar tissues or tissue inflammation in and around the eyes can cause blockage of the glands which can then cause styes. Any kind of buildup of foreign materials can cause styes. For instance, if makeup is not removed or any kind of ointment that blocks the opening of the glands can contribute to the causes of styes.
The primary reason why styes form is because the sebum or oil, sweat or other hormonal secretions are unable to get a vent to get released and do their tasks. When these get accumulated inside the skin of the lids or on the surface of the skin then they form styes.
Styes are often associated with acne and rosacea. A condition known as meibomian gland dysfunction can also cause or contribute to the causes of styes.
