A sty is a painful, red bump on the eyelid caused by an infected oil or sweat gland. Sties are not very contagious. However, once your child gets a sty, she is more likely to get one again.
Signs and Symptoms
- Red, tender bump on the eyelid
- Tenderness around the eye
- Swelling around the eye
- Redness on the eyelid
Sty Treatment
To ease the pain and discomfort of a sty, place a warm cloth on the eyelid 3 to 4 times a day until signs of the infection are gone. Antibiotics are generally not helpful with a sty.
When to Call Your Child's Doctor
Call your child's doctor if the warm cloth treatments don't work. In some cases, you may be referred to an eye doctor who can drain the sty surgically.