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Is A Stye In The Eye Contagious?
I went to work with a red swollen eye lid. It is some what painful to touch and is scratchy feeling. My coworker told me it is a sty. Now, tonight it spreading to the second eye. Can a sty spread to the other eye? Or can this be something different? Thank you. Laura
Mon, 8 Apr 2019
Hello,
Firstly, you have not diagnosed with any medical professional. So, it is very important to see the picture of the eye.
But, from your description, I suspect it is stye only.
Now your answer:
Yes, a stye can spread as it is a bacterial infection.
As I cannot see the eye, from your above description and my suspicion, I can suggest starting this course of medication
Bacitracin / Polymyxin B ointment - Apply to the affected eye(s) every 3 hours for 10 days.
If it is two eyes, then apply to both the eyes.
Additionally, please follow these guidelines:
1. Keep your hands away from your eye: This helps to prevent the spread of infection to other parts of the eye. Wash your hands often with soap and dry with a clean towel. Do not squeeze the stye.
2. Do not use eye makeup: Do not wear eye makeup while you have a stye. Eye makeup may carry bacteria and cause another stye. Throw away eye makeup and brushes used to apply the makeup. Use new eye makeup after the stye has gone away. Do not share eye makeup with others.
3. Prevent another stye: Wash your face and clean your eyelashes every day. Remove eye makeup with makeup remover. This helps to completely remove eye makeup without heavy rubbing
4. Wet a clean washcloth with warm water and place it on your eye for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 to 4 times each day.
Do not worry. Please post another question after 1 month, if your problem persists or increase.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Dipan Samanta, General & Family Physician
Firstly, you have not diagnosed with any medical professional. So, it is very important to see the picture of the eye.
But, from your description, I suspect it is stye only.
Now your answer:
Yes, a stye can spread as it is a bacterial infection.
As I cannot see the eye, from your above description and my suspicion, I can suggest starting this course of medication
Bacitracin / Polymyxin B ointment - Apply to the affected eye(s) every 3 hours for 10 days.
If it is two eyes, then apply to both the eyes.
Additionally, please follow these guidelines:
1. Keep your hands away from your eye: This helps to prevent the spread of infection to other parts of the eye. Wash your hands often with soap and dry with a clean towel. Do not squeeze the stye.
2. Do not use eye makeup: Do not wear eye makeup while you have a stye. Eye makeup may carry bacteria and cause another stye. Throw away eye makeup and brushes used to apply the makeup. Use new eye makeup after the stye has gone away. Do not share eye makeup with others.
3. Prevent another stye: Wash your face and clean your eyelashes every day. Remove eye makeup with makeup remover. This helps to completely remove eye makeup without heavy rubbing
4. Wet a clean washcloth with warm water and place it on your eye for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 to 4 times each day.
Do not worry. Please post another question after 1 month, if your problem persists or increase.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Dipan Samanta, General & Family Physician
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