What should you know about internal stye causes?

An internal stye, or hordeolum, forms deeper inside the eyelid than a surface stye. Oil and other material can obstruct a gland, allowing local inflammation and sometimes bacterial overgrowth. The eyelid may feel sore, swollen, warm, or gritty, and blinking can be uncomfortable. Red Eye or Eye Discharge may occur, although their presence does not by itself confirm a stye.

Rubbing the eyes, touching them with unwashed hands, old eye makeup, contact-lens irritation, or ongoing eyelid inflammation can make blockage more likely. Repeated episodes may be associated with eyelid-margin problems and deserve a clinical look.

Apply a comfortably warm, clean compress to the closed eyelid for several minutes, repeating it through the day. Wash your hands before touching the eye, avoid squeezing the lump, and pause eye makeup and contact lenses until the eyelid settles. Use a clean cloth each time and do not share towels. A GP Consultation can help distinguish a stye from other causes of eyelid swelling and decide whether treatment is needed.

Arrange medical advice if swelling persists, returns often, or affects your vision. Seek urgent care for severe eye pain, marked swelling around the eye, fever, pain when moving the eye, double vision, or rapidly worsening redness.

Ask whether the lump is inside the eyelid, whether another eyelid condition could be responsible, how to prevent recurrence, and which warning signs require same-day care.