Styes and chalazion - Pimple
of the eyelids
EYES - Styes and chalazion
Eye is an incomparable device responsible for vision or sight. Eyelids are
the windshields or the gateway of the eye that works superbly in protecting,
moistening and cleaning with the tear – the natural antiseptic lotion for
guarding the eye against bacteria. Eyelids wipe the eye involuntarily with
tears during blinking normally, around 4-6 times per minute. The eyelids are
made up of skin, loose connective tissues, muscular tissues, tarsus (dense
fibrous layer), fascia and conjunctiva. As like normal skin, eyelids do have
sweat glands and hair roots. There are three types of glands present in the
eyelids. Sweat glands present at the margin of eyelids are unusually large and
called Glands of Moll. Sebaceous glands in hair root follicles are called as
glands of Zei’s. Sebaceous glands in deeper layer tarsus are called as
meibomian glands. Glands of Moll and Zei’s are superficial, so they are easily
prone to infection and blockage of duct with cell debris and oil or sebum. The
blockage duct makes swelling of the glands which are called as styes.
Styes are acute infection with staphylococcus infection causing obstruction
of hair follicles of eyelids which usually end up in suppuration. Comparing
these glands, meibomian gland is somewhat deeper and cyst formation in that
gland is called meibomian cyst or chalazion. Chalazion is a non-infectious
swelling occurring in the meibomian gland and present as painless nodule in the
eyelids. Styes and chalazions may be associated with the inflammation of
eyelids with redness, swelling and formation of scales and crusts
(blepharitis).
Incidence
Styes and chalazions occur mostly in adolescents of fair complexion with
refractive errors. Their incidence is also more in people who use cosmetics on
the eyelashes. Also, it is more common in people who suffer from pimples. Men
are predominantly affected more than women. The reason for their incidence in
men, adolescents and people who are fair is understood less.
Causes – are also still obscure. Anyway,
microbiology claims that styes are caused by staphylococcal bacteria and
staphylococcus bacteria have been identified in all cases of styes, the same
bacteria have been found in normal people too without infection. So the reason
is obscure. In case of chalazion, the bacteria cannot be identified but it
occurs with the reason being obscure.
Symptoms of both styes and chalazion never
damage the eye.
For styes
·
Red painful odematous swelling occurs on the edge of the
eyelid
·
Usually it lasts for 1-2 weeks
·
Usually it is present as a small one and grows gradually
and becomes hard and finally ends as pustule. White or yellow point head
appears and evacuates everything and gets healed
·
Pus points appear mostly on the outer side of the eyelid
and along the edge of the eyelid
·
Watery eyes due to irritation of the swelling
·
Glaring of lights and blurred vision
·
For chalazion
·
Chalazion appears as a small eruption usually away from
the eyelid margin
·
It grows slowly to a size of 6-7 mm and takes months to
get resolved
·
Initially there may be pain, but later there won’t be any
pain since there is no infection.
·
Its projection is mostly on conjunctiva side or inner
side of eyelid.
·
Glaring of lights and blurred vision
·
Watery eyes due to irritation of the swelling
Effects – Mostly styes go off in 1-2 weeks but
chalazion may be present for 1-2 months and even more than that. Since stye is
an inflammatory condition and there is pain, eye concentration works cannot be
performed on those days. But in the case of chalazion, if the size is small it
won’t interfere with the vision except for some irritability but if the size is
large, it will affect mostly near vision and eyeball movement. Styes and
chalazion cause disfigurement of the face cosmetically.
Diagnosis
Examination of eye and eyelids by
ophthamologist is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and to rule out any
intraocular pathology.
In case of stye
·
Infective nodule is present at the edge of the eyelid
margin
·
Simply plucking the hair in the stye area will evacuate
the pus
·
Fever and pain may be present in some severe cases
·
Lymph nodes enlargement can be seen in front of the ear
·
Culture and sensitivity tests are to be done to find out
infectious bacteria
In case of chalazion
·
Lump is always present away from the eyelid margin
·
Painless nodule
·
Biopsy should be performed in the case of large and
stubborn ones to rule out other complication like tumour or cancer
Prevention – incase of recurring styes and chalazions
Clean
·
Keep your hand, eyes & eye lashes clean by washing
often
·
Don’t share eye make-up kit or otherwise wipe it before
use
Avoid
·
Stress and strain to eyes especially working for a long
time on the computer
·
Touching, rubbing or squeezing your eyes which will
usually spread the infection and also cause redness
·
Contact of hair with the eyes
Take
·
Nutritious diet, especially food rich in vitamins A, B, C
and E, and magnesium and zinc to improve general health
·
Plenty of water and juices
·
Warm applications for relieving the pain, to soften the
hardened blocked duct, to promote drainage and healing process. It also speeds
up the forming of pointer head for letting out the pus.
Treatment
Since it is the eye, vision is
hindered every moment, reminding us in every blink, making medical attention
much important.
In Allopathy:
For styes – antibiotic course is usually given for 7 days. During that
period, styes usually resolve in many cases, but mostly recur. In some cases,
it is extracted. In some cases, antibiotic cream and lotion is advised for
external use.
For chalazion – no drugs are administered. They simply wait for the chalazion’s
own schedule of going or otherwise they simply remove it surgically. In this
case also it tends to recur. Also for chalazion, some doctors use steroid drops
and medicine where quick relief is guaranteed but not in preventing
recurrences.
Even though styes and chalazion are not serious disorders, their chronic
nature and spread may bring a serious condition. An ophthalmologist’s opinion
is absolutely necessary in case of severe redness, impaired vision and
painfulness to rule out complications in either case.
Surgery
In extreme painful cases, if the
chalazion remains as it is and does not go off on its own even after several
months of treatment, then surgery is performed as a last resort for removal. In
case of styes, surgical drains are performed in stubborn cases.
Homeopathic approach
In case of styes, the habit of picking, pinching, rubbing also hinder
the curing process and add to the infection. Also, when it is not properly
cured, the disease often repeats and become tendencies. There are two effects
of the curing process. One is promoting suppuration to speed up the let out
process and healing and another one is making it dissolve slowly. The first
method is often noticed in styes and the second in chalazion. Some people are
satisfied with the let out process (and feel as if they had eliminated the
diseased content of the body). This occurs often in styes. It breaks, releasing
the pus and thus the swelling may go away. Otherwise, the swelling may take a
long time to get reduced. One of the most common reasons why people seek
Homeopathic care is that the cure will be permanent and the treatment has no
side-effects. Homeopathic medicines may also help dissolve the styes and
chalazion. These complaints can be easily claimed as non-surgical complaints in
Homeopathy
Homeopathy can offer a definite cure for styes and chalazion as well as
prevent their recurrence.
The earlier you treat it, the speedier and more complete the cure. Some
people relate formation of Stye and chalazions with heat of the body, sleep,
hairy constitution and try to eliminate it or otherwise want to get treated for
that. But whatever may be the reason or reaction, if we get immunity, the
disease will not affect us. Also, if we suppress it with steroids, it goes off
immediately but will flare up again, after gaining force. So the internal
Homoeopathy medicine is the best one to stop recurrence of styes and chalazion
by raising natural resistance without any side-effects.
Homeopathic medicines which are commonly used for styes or chalazion are
Apis mel, Pulsastilla, Mag phos, Staphysagria, Oleum jac, Acid nit, Sulphur,
Hepar sulph, Bacillinum, Kali Brom, Pyrogen, Thuja, Calc carb, Silicea, etc.
These Medicines should be taken under the advice and diagnosis of a qualified
Homeopath.
for
new hope
Dr. S. Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD (Homeo)
Laxmi Homeo Clinic
24 E. New Mahalipatti Road
Madurai, TN 625 001
India
Tel: +91-984-319-1011 (Mob /
Whatsapp)
Clinic : +91-452-233-8833 |
E-mail: drcheena@gmail.com
(Disclaimer: The contents of this column are
for informational purpose only. The content is not intended to be a substitute
for professional healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the
advice of healthcare professional for any health problem or medical condition.)