
What is an internal hordeolum?
An internal hordeolum is an infection in a gland inside or under the eyelid. You usually notice it because it feels like an irritant in your eye, such as an eyelash or a piece of dirt. They are caused by bacterial infections. Healing time usually takes about two weeks, and the infection typically drains on its own.
What is an internal hordeolum or stye?
This is an external hordeolum or stye. However, it’s possible for a stye to develop inside your eyelid (further away from the base of your eyelashes ). When this happens, it’s called an internal hordeolum. So, what’s the difference between an internal stye and an external stye?
How do you get rid of an internal hordeolum?
While medical attention should be sought if symptoms persist or become severe, an internal hordeolum can usually be treated using stye home remedies. At-home treatment options include: Applying a clean, warm compress on the affected eyelid. Keeping the eyes clean by flushing them with sterile eye drops.
Should I talk to my doctor about my internal hordeolum?
If your internal hordeolum does not go away in two weeks, it may need professional treatment. Consult your doctor and follow their advice. They will examine you in person to confirm the diagnosis before laying out the next steps for your care. How is an internal hordeolum treated?

Why do I keep getting Hordeolum in my eyes?
Touching your face with unclean hands. Getting a small scratch or cut on your eyelid (which can let in bacteria more easily) Sharing makeup or using expired makeup products. Wearing eye makeup for long periods of time.
Why do I keep getting styes over and over?
If your styes come back again and again, it may be a sign of a chronic condition called blepharitis or acne rosacea. Your doctor will be able to confirm what's wrong and start treatment.
How can Hordeolum be prevented?
What's the best way to avoid styes?Wash makeup off before bedtime so eye follicles don't get plugged overnight.Replace eye makeup about every six months to avoid bacterial growth.Wash your hands regularly when using contact lenses.If you have allergies, don't rub your eyes.
What medical conditions cause styes?
Risks for developing a styehaving itchy eyes from hay fever or allergies.inflammation of your eyelid (blepharitis)using contaminated mascara or eye liner.leaving makeup on overnight.skin conditions, such as rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis.some medical conditions, like diabetes.More items...
How do you get rid of recurring styes?
Styes can go away on their own within a week, usually when the pus inside them drains without any help. For more persistent or recurrent styes, antibiotic eye drops or ointments can be used. Antibiotic treatment in pill form may be necessary to treat an internal hordeolum.
Can stress cause styes?
Styes can appear without any reason, but sometimes they are caused by eye make-up, which can block the skin. They can also be caused by stress or hormonal changes. People with rosacea or inflammatory diseases of the eyelid, such as blepharitis ormeibomitis, seem to get more styes than other people.
Can stye be cancerous?
Symptoms. Sebaceous carcinomas are one of the rarest eye cancers and can look like a chalazion (stye) or conjunctivits.
How long does a hordeolum last?
A stye (or sty) is a small, red, painful bump near the edge of the eyelid. It's also called a hordeolum. This common eye condition can happen to anyone. It usually lasts for two to five days.
Is it normal to get multiple styes?
Styes very rarely affect both eyes simultaneously. An individual will generally have one stye in one eye. However, it is possible to have more than one stye in the same eye or one in each eye.
Can styes be caused by stress?
Styes can appear without any reason, but sometimes they are caused by eye make-up, which can block the skin. They can also be caused by stress or hormonal changes. People with rosacea or inflammatory diseases of the eyelid, such as blepharitis ormeibomitis, seem to get more styes than other people.
What's the difference between a stye and blepharitis?
Blepharitis is when you have bacteria and oily flakes at the base of your eyelashes. Your eyelids are red, swollen, or feel like they are burning. A stye (also called a hordeolum) is a small, red, painful lump that grows from the base of your eyelash or under the eyelid. Most styes are caused by a bacterial infection.
How do you get rid of a stye in 5 minutes?
You cannot get rid of a stye in 5 minutes. Styes are caused by bacterial infections and a clogged gland and take 1-2 weeks to fully heal. That said, you can try to speed up the healing process by gently cleaning the surface of the stye or applying warm compresses or washcloths to your infected eye.
How to treat internal hordeolum?
While medical attention should be sought if symptoms persist or become severe, an internal hordeolum can usually be treated using stye home remedies. At-home treatment options include: Applying a clean, warm compress on the affected eyelid. Keeping the eyes clean by flushing them with sterile eye drops.
How do hordeolums develop?
Internal hordeolums develop when bacteria gets into the meibomian gland, causing an infection.
How long does it take for a hordeolum to heal?
Home remedies that may help an external stye go away include: Applying a clean, warm compress on the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes, up to four times per day. This motivates the stye to open and drain.
What happens if you infiltrate a meibomian gland?
But if they increase in number and infiltrate a Meibomian gland, this results in infection, inflammation and swelling. Staphylococcus aureus is also one of the types of bacteria that cause conjunctivitis.
Can an internal hordeolum affect both eyes?
An internal hordeolum is typically present in only one eye at a time, though it’s possible for it to affect both eyes. While an internal stye is not nearly as common as its external counterpart, it can be more painful, last longer, become chronic, or harden into a cyst or chalazion.
Is a stye an internal or external hordeolum?
This is an external hordeolum or stye. However, it’s possible for a stye to develop inside your eyelid (further away from the base of your eyelashes ). When this happens, it’s called an internal hordeolum. So, what’s the difference between an internal stye and an external stye?
Where is the internal hordeolum located?
Meibomian glands are located deeper within the eyelid.
How long does a hordeolum last?
Unfortunately, a hordeolum can last for several days without treatment. Some may heal on their own while others require medical treatment.
What is the hordeolum on the lid called?
An external hordeolum, commonly called a stye , is a blocked gland on the outside of the lid margin. It is often associated with the hair follicles of the eyelashes.
How many types of hordeola are there?
Did you know that there are two types of hordeola (plural for hordeolum) but only one is actually called a stye?
What causes internal stye?
The most common cause of an internal stye is a bacterial infection, usually Staphylococcus aureus. The infection begins in the Meibomian gland, an oil gland on the edge of the eyelid. These glands provide lubrication to the eye surface.
What causes styes in the body?
Between 90% and 95% of styes are caused by infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus epidermidis is largely responsible for the rest. 10
How to treat chalazia?
Certain oral antibiotics (taken by mouth), warm compresses, and steroid eye drops can help reduce the swelling associated with chalazia. If the chalazion reduces your vision quality or becomes very large, it must be surgically removed. Eye styes usually resolve on their own within a week or less with minor treatment.
Why don't you squeeze a stye?
Do not squeeze the stye or rub your eye because the bacteria can spread.
In This Article
Getting a stye once in a while is a minor inconvenience. But getting them all the time can become annoying fast, and could be an indication that you've got an underlying condition.
1. You Have Allergies
Seasonal or environmental allergies to things like pollen, dust, or mold can leave your eyes red, swollen and inflamed. And that inflammation can make styes more likely.
2. You Have Pink Eye
The infection, also called conjunctivitis, is another common cause of inflammation and can trigger the formation of styes, Dr. Eubanks says.
3. You Have Blepharitis
Another inflammatory eye condition, blepharitis occurs when there's an excessive amount of bacteria around the skin of the eyelids. This can cause redness, swelling, itchiness, watery eyes and crusting or dandruff-like flakes around the eyelids — and can increase the risk for frequent styes, Dr. Eubanks says.
4. You Have Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye disease can also increase levels of inflammation around the eye, which can make styes more likely, Dr. Eubanks says. The condition, which occurs when the eyes don't produce enough tears, can make your eyes feel like they're itching or burning and make it harder to see clearly, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
5. You Have Dry Skin
Like inflammatory eye conditions, severely dry, flaky skin can also increase levels of inflammation.
6. You Have Rosacea
Rosacea is known for causing acne-like facial flushing and redness, but it can also cause redness, swelling and clogged oil glands around the eyelids and lead to recurring styes, notes the AAO. The condition can also increase the risk for eyelid infections, which can also set the stage for styes, Dr. Eubanks says.

Introduction
- A hordeolum (also known as a stye) is an infection in a gland in the edge of your eyelid. Hordeola can be external (on the outside part of the eyelid) or internal (inside or under the eyelid). Internal hordeola cannot be seen without careful examination of your eye. They may rub against the inside of your eye and cause you to feel like something is stuck there. Internal hordeola usually go awa…
Risk Factors For Internal Hordeolum
- You are more likelyto develop an internal hordeolum if you: 1. Had had one before 2. Wear contact lenses 3. Have other inflammation or infections in the eye area 4. Have certain systemic health conditions, such as rosacea or diabetes
Symptoms
- Symptomsof an internal hordeolum include: 1. Swelling, tenderness, or redness of the eyelid 2. Tearing and crusting around the eyelid 3. Sensitivity to bright light 4. Feeling like there is something stuck in your eye Symptoms can point to many other eye conditions as well. Be sure to see your doctor to confirm your diagnosis if your hordeolum does not seem to be responding to …
Causes
- Internal hordeola are causedby bacterial infections. Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria are the most common culprits, but other types of bacteria can cause this problem as well. Many internal hordeola happen due to poor hygiene. Not washing your face regularly and thoroughly allows the bacteria to build up around your eye glands, eventually cau...
Diagnosis
- Internal hordeola are diagnosedthrough simple visual inspection. Your doctor will examine your eye for redness and swelling. Your doctor may also shine a bright light on the edge of your eyelid to get a better look at your gland openings and determine if one of them is blocked. In some cases, your doctor may also ask about your eye health, general health, and family history. This h…
Treatment
- Most internal hordeola will go away without medical treatment. When the infection subsides, the hordeola will break open and the pus inside it will drain away. You can help your hordeolum drain faster by: 1. Placing a warm, moist compress on your eye for five to 10 minutes. Do this three to six times a day. 2. Gently applying an over-the-counter lid scrubto the affected eye. 3. Not wearin…
Complications
- There are few complicationsassociated with internal hordeola. In rare cases, the infection that caused the problem may spread to the rest of the eye. If this does happen, the infection will need more aggressive treatment to keep it under control. If the internal hordeolum damages the lens of the eye, it may cause you to develop astigmatism in that eye. This is very rare and should not be …
Prevention
- To preventinternal hordeola: 1. Do not share eye makeup with other people. You do not know who may pass bacteria to you. 2. Replace your eye makeup every three months. This will ensure that any bacteria in the makeup does not have a chance to grow. 3. Practice good contact lens hygiene. Always handle your contact lenses with clean hands and store them in their case when …
When to Call Your Doctor
- If your internal hordeolum does not go away in two weeks, it may need professional treatment. Consult your doctor and follow their advice. They will examine you in person to confirm the diagnosis before laying out the next steps for your care.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is an internal hordeolum treated? An internal hordeolum usually goes away on its own with basic home care. If this does not produce the desired results, you may need to get a prescription for special antibiotic cream from your doctor. If your hordeolum still does not respond to treatment, you may need surgery to remove it. How do you drain an internal hordeolum? You ca…