I've just noticed that my four-year-old son has developed a small round spot on his eyelid. Could it be a stye?
A stye is an acute infection of one or more of the glands at the edge of the eyelid, usually caused by a staphylococcal (bacterial) infection. It tends to begin with a tender, red area at the edge of the eyelid. A small round swollen spot then forms. The eye tends to water and is sensitive to bright lights, and the sufferer can feel as if there is something in the eye. Often, if you look close enough, a tiny yellowish spot may be seen at the centre of the swollen area. This tiny spot may rupture, releasing a small amount of pus. A simple stye typically lasts for between two and four days and can be painful, especially if the eye is rubbed.
Another condition known as a chalazion looks and feels like a stye; however, it is caused by an obstruction and subsequent enlargement of a deeper oil gland at the edge of the eyelid. A round, painless swelling often persists after the tenderness and redness have resolved. Most chalazions disappear without treatment after one to three months.
If it is an infection, does that mean it needs to be treated with antibiotics?
Although antibiotics are sometimes used to treat styes, they do not always help. The best treatment for styes is to apply hot compresses for approximately 10 minutes several times a day to the affected eyelid, followed by gentle eyelid massage. The heat helps the stye come to a head before rupturing and draining.
If hot compresses are applied several times a day to a chalazion it may disappear more quickly. However, if it remains for two weeks or longer or if it interferes with vision, your doctor can drain a chalazion.
Well, I'm glad I won't have to use any eye drops, as I have always found it very difficult to administer these.
Administering eye drops and eye ointments to children can certainly be a challenge. The easiest way to do this is to lie the child on a bed or couch with their head resting on your lap. With a clean finger gently pull down the lower eyelid to create a pocket. The drops or ointment can then be placed in this pocket rather than directly onto the eye. Blinking will naturally distribute the drug over the surface of the eye.