Styes in Children: A Step-By-Step Guide

As a pediatrician and a parent, I understand how concerning it can be when your little one develops a red, painful bump on their eyelid. Styes are a common eye condition in children that, while typically harmless, can cause discomfort and worry. In this post, I'll walk you through what styes are, how to manage them at home, and when it's time to seek medical attention.

what is a stye?

A stye (also medically known as a hordeolum) is a small, painful red bump that forms on the eyelid. It develops when an oil gland or hair follicle near the eyelash becomes infected, typically with bacteria that normally live on our skin. Styes can appear on the outside or inside of the eyelid and may cause swelling, pain, redness, and occasionally, tearing.

Children of all ages can get styes, and they're usually not a sign of any serious underlying health condition. However, they can be uncomfortable for your child and may interfere with their daily activities.

what to do

The good news is that most styes resolve on their own within a week with proper home care. Here's what you can do to help your child:

Warm Compresses: Your Best Friend

The most effective home treatment is applying warm compresses to the affected eye. This helps to:

  • Reduce pain and swelling

  • Bring the stye to a head

  • Promote drainage and healing

Tips for Applying Warm Compresses to Young Children and Squirmy Toddlers:

  1. Make it a game: With toddlers, everything is easier when it's fun! Call it "pirate patch time" or "healing superhero power."

  2. Prepare your materials:

    • Use a clean washcloth soaked in warm (not hot) water

    • Alternatively, try a clean sock filled with uncooked rice, heated in the microwave for 20-30 seconds (test on your wrist first)

  3. Timing is everything:

    • Choose a calm moment, perhaps after bath time or during a favorite TV show

    • Plan for 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times daily

  4. The application:

    • Have your child lie down with their head in your lap

    • Gently hold the warm compress over the affected eye

    • For squirmy toddlers, take breaks as needed or use distraction techniques like storytelling or singing

  5. Reward system:

    • Create a sticker chart for each successful compress session

    • Offer small rewards for completing a full day of treatments

Additional Home Care Tips

  • Keep the area clean: Wash your hands before touching the area, and ensure your child avoids rubbing their eyes.

  • Skip the makeup: If your child occasionally uses face paint or costume makeup, avoid these until the stye has healed.

  • Replace eye products: If your child uses any eye products for medical reasons, consider replacing them after a stye has healed.

  • Never squeeze: Resist the urge to "pop" a stye. This can spread the infection and make things worse.

For mild cases, there's quite a bit you can do at home:

  1. Warm soaks or compresses are your best friend. Soak the affected finger or toe in warm (not hot) water 3-4 times a day for about 15 minutes. For wiggly kids, a warm, wet washcloth wrapped around the finger works too.

  2. Gently dry the area thoroughly after soaking.

  3. Keep the area clean by washing with mild soap and water.

  4. Cut nails straight across and not too short to prevent future episodes. Avoid rounding the corners of nails, which can lead to ingrown nails.

  5. Discourage nail biting and finger sucking as much as possible (I know, easier said than done).

  6. Keep the area uncovered unless your child is playing in dirt or sand.

when to seek help

If the paronychia doesn't improve with home care after 1-2 days, or if it's severe from the start, medical treatment may include:

  • Topical antibiotics like mupirocin (Bactroban) for mild cases

  • Oral antibiotics for more severe infections. We typically prescribe cephalexin (Keflex) as our first choice. For children with allergies or other risk factors, clindamycin may be used instead.

  • Incision and drainage for larger abscesses. This involves making a tiny opening to allow pus to drain out. While this sounds scary, it provides immediate relief and is sometimes necessary for healing.

Call your pediatrician if you notice:

  • The stye hasn't improved after 48 hours of home treatment

  • The redness and swelling extend beyond the eyelid to the cheek or other parts of the face

  • Your child develops a fever or seems unusually ill

  • Your child has trouble seeing or cannot open their eye

  • The stye is extremely painful

  • Your child gets recurrent styes (this might indicate an underlying condition)

prevention tips

To reduce the chances of recurrence:

  • Encourage good hand hygiene and teach your child not to rub their eyes

  • Ensure complete removal of any face paint or makeup before bedtime

  • Replace washcloths and towels regularly

  • If your child wears glasses, clean them regularly

  • Manage underlying conditions like blepharitis (eyelid inflammation) as directed by your pediatrician

and just remember…

Styes can be uncomfortable for your little one, but with proper home care, they typically resolve quickly. The warm compress routine, though sometimes challenging with active toddlers, is well worth the effort for faster healing. Remember that you're not alone in this journey - I’m with you every step of the way.

Sending you a big hug,

Anjuli

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not replace the specific instructions provided by your child's surgeon or healthcare provider. Always follow the post-operative care instructions given by your medical team.

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A Parent's Guide to Paronychia