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The stye is most often caused by a bacterium that is naturally present in the body and that due to some alteration in the immune system, is left in excess, causing inflammation in a gland present in the eyelid and leading to the appearance of the stye. Thus, the stye is not contagious, being related to the person's own immune system.
The stye is usually quite uncomfortable, as it can cause pain, especially when blinking, and itching, however most of the time it does not need treatment, disappearing after about 5 days, requiring only warm compresses to relieve symptoms. . See how to identify the stye.
Why the stye happens
The appearance of the sty is usually related to the accumulation of secretions around the eyelid glands, which favors the proliferation of bacteria and inflammation of the gland. Some people may be more likely to have a stye more often, such as:
- Adolescents, due to common hormonal changes of age;
- Pregnant women, due to hormonal changes during this period;
- Children, for scratching their eyes with dirty hands;
- People who wear makeup daily, as this facilitates the accumulation of secretion.
In addition, people who do not have proper eye hygiene are also more likely to develop a stye.
Is the stye contagious?
Despite being caused by bacteria that can be easily transmitted between people, the stye is not contagious. This is because the bacteria that may be related to the sty are found naturally in the skin and are in balance with other microorganisms. Therefore, if a person comes into contact with the sty of another person, it is likely that their immune system acts against this possible infection more easily.
However, even though it is not contagious, it is important that there are hygiene habits, such as always washing your hands with soap and water to prevent the stye from becoming even more inflamed.
How to avoid sty
Some recommendations that can be followed to avoid developing a stye include:
- Always keep your eyes clean and free of secretions or puffs;
- Wash your face daily, to eliminate secretions from the eye and balance the oiliness of the skin;
- Avoid sharing objects that may come in contact with the eyes, such as makeup, pillowcases or towels;
- Avoid scratching or bringing your hands to your eyes frequently;
- Always wash your hands before touching the eye;
In addition, you should also avoid bursting the stye, as the released pus can end up infecting the eye and even spreading to other locations on the face. People who wear contact lenses should ideally stop using them during the presence of the stye, as they can end up contaminating the lens.
See more about what to do to treat the sty.