What’s the difference between pink eye and a stye and, how to efficiently treat them?
To help you better grasp the variations between the conditions, read on to find a breakdown of the causes, signs, and remedies for each one.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ Pink eye is caused by bacteria and may need an antibiotic.
✅ Styes and viral pink eye are likely to go away on their own.
✅ Itchy, red eyes can be a symptom of both styes and pink eye. It could be difficult to tell which condition you have as a result.
✅ A stye differs from pink eye in that it frequently comes along with a lump on your eye.
✅ They both experience the same symptoms, such as itchiness, discomfort, redness, and swelling.
Knowing the difference between a stye and a pink eye
Styes and pink eye are both illnesses that frequently result in itching, pain, redness, and swelling. But unlike pink eye, a stye frequently comes with a protrusion that resembles a pimple on the eyelid. The exterior area of the eye may expand and turn red if this bulge develops inside the eyelid.
Pink eye can be brought on by a bacteria, virus, allergy, or irritant, whereas styes are often brought on by bacteria. A stye is normally not communicable, but pink eye caused by a virus or bacteria may be.
Pink eye
The medical term for pink eye is conjunctivitis. It results in inflammation of the membrane that lines your eyelid and the white portion of your eye, which produces pain and redness. Children are more prone to pink eye than adults, and it can be brought on by germs, viruses, parasites, allergies, or irritants like dust and dirt.
Pink eye can spread by germs or viruses. Other pink eye reasons, such as allergies or irritants, are not communicable.
A viral infection may cause your eyes to moisten and become sensitive to light, while bacterial pink eye may cause some green or yellow discharge.
The signs of pink eye
The most typical signs of pink eye are inflammation, itching, redness around the eyes, tears, a yellow, green, or white discharge, blurred vision, and swollen, red, and irritated eyelids.
Treatment for pink eye
You shouldn’t be concerned if you have pink eye. The majority of infections resolve on their own in five to seven days.
“Similar to the ordinary cold, pink eye, and particularly viral pink eye, usually goes away on its own. Typically, symptoms worsen for the first three to five days before progressively going away over the course of one to two weeks “says Summit Medical Group’s board-certified internist Soma Mandal, MD.
Mandal claims that since viral pink eye heals itself, there is no need for antiviral treatment and that folk remedies are sufficient to treat it. According to Mandal, the most common treatments for discomfort are topical antihistamines, decongestants, and warm moist compresses over the afflicted eye or eyes.
If a bacterial infection is the root of your pink eye, your doctor will probably recommend antibiotic pills or eye drops.
To avoid spreading the infection to other individuals or your other eye, take care not to touch your eye. It will be wise to wait until your infection has cleared up if you frequently wear contact lenses or eye makeup. Treating the allergic reaction will help you get rid of the pink eye if it is the cause of your pink eye.
Stye
A stye is an eye infection brought on by germs or oil that has blocked the hair follicles or oil glands around your eye. A bulge that resembles a pimple will frequently appear on your upper or lower eyelid. A stye is not communicable, in contrast to several varieties of pink eye.
An external or interior stye is possible. You can clearly see an external stye on your eyelid. On the inside of the eyelid, though, a stye will develop. Your eyelid may get red and puffy as a result of this.
Diabetes and compromised immune systems increase a person’s risk of developing styes.
The signs of a stye
The most typical signs of a stye are as follows:
- A mass on your eyelid
- swelling
- sensitivity to ight
- redness
- swelling.
Styling therapy
A stye typically heals on its own, and the lump disappears without the need for medical attention. You should consult a doctor about the stye, though, if it persists, causes significant pain or swelling, or keeps returning. To assist treat the infection, a doctor will frequently advise using an antibiotic ointment or antibiotic eye drops.
A warm compress placed over the eye will also help to reduce discomfort. According to Taylor Graber, MD, a resident physician and anesthesiologist at the University of California San Diego, “this can help to dilate a blocked gland, which can help to relieve the blockage and inflammation.”
Never attempt to squeeze or pop the stye because doing so may exacerbate the discomfort, edoema, and inflammation. You can also take over-the-counter analgesics like acetaminophen and ibuprofen if you’re in discomfort. A doctor may undertake a procedure to drain a severe stye if it does not clear up.
In conclusion
Both pink eye and a stye are uncomfortable, painful eye infections. The best course of therapy can be chosen for you if you are aware of the differences between these two types of eye infections.
Although you can usually treat both of these problems at home, it’s crucial to visit your doctor if you have persistent pink eye or styes.