My toddler woke up this morning rubbing his eye and complaining that it was itchy and sore. He has a red pimple like bump on the edge of his lower eyelid. Is it serious and what should I do about it?
Conventional remedy: What you describe sounds like a stye. In most cases - although unsightly, painful and uncomfortable - sties are not a serious problem and usually disappear within a few days with few complications. The main symptoms are stinging itchy eyes, a painful, red pimple on the edge of the eyelid or a puffy swollen eyelid. The most common site for sties to develop are on the edge of the eyelid, near the base of the lashes. Most sties are caused by blocked gland ducts on the eyelid, or blocked hair follicle. This in turn causes a build-up of secretions. Although bacteria can cause sties to develop, there may be other reasons for the gland becoming obstructed. Most sties are not contagious, although once a child develops a sty, they are likely to reoccur.
As soon as you notice a stye developing you should wash your child's eye gently with cooled boiled water. Using a fresh cotton wool every time, apply a warm compress to soothe and help healing. Take care when washing his face not to get soap into the eye as this will irritate it. Do not under any circumstances try to burst the sty, as you may damage delicate tissues, cause unnecessary pain and possibly spread infection. Never use alcohol to clean the eye.
Most sties resolve after a few days with home treatment. You should bring your child to your family doctor if the symptoms last for more than a few days, your child is in obvious pain, has more than one sty, or his eyelid becomes so swollen he cannot open his eye. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment or drops if he suspects the cause is bacterial. If the problem is recurrent or prolonged, a referral to a consultant ophthalmologist may be necessary.
When the stye has disappeared, you can help reduce the frequency of recurrence by encouraging your child to wash his hands regularly with an antiseptic soap and discourage him from touching his eyes.
Dr Muiris Houston, Medical Correspondent
Alternative remedy: An exact diagnosis could only be confirmed with a full history and examination. However, the sudden onset of soreness and itching in one eye associated with a swelling on the lower eyelid would suggest a stye. This is a local infection or inflammation of the hair follicle of the eye lash or meibomian gland. The majority of cases are caused by staphycoccus infection. The condition is often self-limiting and responds well to frequent eye compresses.
If it is associated with significant conjunctivitis or discharge, local antibiotics (drops or ointment) may be required. Oral antibiotics are only required when there is considerable tissue inflamation. Surgical drainage is rarely necessary.
Complementary medical approaches can be used both in the acute stage and also if there is a tendency for the condition to recur.
Homoeopathic medicines are selected individually and frequently used remedies include Apis, Belladonna, Hepar Sulph and Staphisagria. Supplements including Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin A and a short course of the herbal preparation, Echinacea, may be used - particularly if there is a general tendency to infections.
Recurrant sties can occur for no obvious reason. However, they are more frequent in those with atopic eczema and especially in adults, they can be secondary to other skin conditions, such as sebhorreic dermatitis or blepharitis.
In these conditions, a comprehensive programme of allergy management, homoeopathy and supplements may be required. The intake of refined sugars should be reduced in persistent cases although recurrant sties are rarely associated with diabetes.
Dr Brendan Fitzpatrick is a medically qualified doctor who is a member of the Irish Medical Homoeopathic Association. Tel: 01-2697768.
The advice in this column is not intended as a substitute for advice received directly from a medical doctor or alternative practitioner. Individuals should receive a thorough diagnosis of complaints before embarking on a course of treatment.