Check your make-up back now, the experts warn
People who wear make-up have been urged to carry out a crucial check as soon as possible. If you don’t perform the simple check, you may regret it in the morning.
In a warning, experts from Specsavers UK have said that if you do not remove your make-up properly and some remains behind, you could develop a stye. Also spelled as ‘sty’, it notes that people should check the date their product runs out as this could also put you at risk.
Also known as a hordeolum, a stye is a small painful lump on the inner or outer surface of the eyelid. It explains that this is caused by a bacterium called staph (staphylococcus), which typically causes styes in the eyes.
Many people will experience them at some point in their life, but certain factors can put you more at risk. This includes:
- Poor hygiene: cleaning your eyelids thoroughly prevents the build‑up of oil and bacteria
- Blepharitis: a chronic eye condition caused by inflammation of the eyelids
- Health conditions: including rosacea, eczema and diabetes
- Immunodeficiency: styes are more likely to occur when your immune system is weakened
Two main types of eye styes
- External: These are common bumps that appear along the eyelid’s edge or corner. Because they typically resolve on their own within a few days, they rarely require medical intervention.
- Internal: These are spots inside or under the eyelid. It is often more painful than an external stye.
Stye signs and symptoms
- A red, swollen eyelid
- A feeling of pain or tenderness, particularly when you blink or touch the area (often the beginning stages of eye Styes)
- Itchy eyes
- A scratchy or gritty feeling inside your eye (like there’s something in your eye)
- Sensitivity to light
- Crust on your eyelid
- A yellow or white discharge
- Watery eyes
While usually limited to one eye, you can develop styes in both eyes or even have multiple styes on a single eyelid simultaneously. Although their appearance can be concerning, they are very common and typically harmless.
If you have a stye
To reduce swelling and help the stye heal, the NHS recommends that people follow three steps.
- Soak a clean flannel in warm water.
- Hold it against your eye for five to 10 minutes.
- Repeat this two to four times a day.
If you are in pain, you can take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen, so long as it is safe for you to take this medication. You should not give aspirin to children under 16.
You should also avoid wearing contact lenses and eye make-up until the stye has burst and healed. Whatever you do, “do not try to burst a stye or remove an eyelash yourself. This can spread the infection”, the NHS warns.
