Barley (Stye, Hordeolum)

Barley (Stye, Hordeolum): causes, symptoms and treatment

Barley (Stye, Hordeolum) is an acute inflammation of the sebaceous gland located near the hair follicles of the eyelashes. This is a common condition that can affect anyone at any age. Although stye is not a serious condition, it can cause discomfort and pain.

A stye is usually caused by a bacterial infection. The infected gland becomes hard and painful; the duct opening into the hair follicle of the eyelash becomes clogged, and the gland turns into a cyst filled with pus. Styes can also result from a blockage of the meibomian glands, which are found on the eyelids.

Symptoms of a stye may include:

  1. Feeling of discomfort and pain in the eyelid area
  2. Swelling and redness of the eyelid
  3. Formation of a white or yellow vesicular cyst on the eyelid
  4. Tearing
  5. Sensitivity to light

Treatment for stye involves frequently washing the affected area with warm water or removing eyelashes around the area of ​​inflammation. Hot compresses can also be used to help reduce swelling and improve blood circulation in the eyelid area. In some cases, antibiotics may be necessary to prevent the infection from spreading.

If you notice symptoms of a stye, it is important to see your doctor for professional advice and treatment recommendations. Do not try to treat stye on your own, as this can lead to complications and worsening of the condition.

In conclusion, stye (Stye, Hordeolum) is a common condition that can cause discomfort and pain. It is important to see your doctor for professional advice and treatment recommendations. Be attentive to your health and do not self-medicate.



A stye on the eye is an inflammation of the sebaceous glands on the eyelids. The reason for the development of this process is the active proliferation of bacterial microflora. There are external and internal barley. External stye is formed as a result of infection of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid. This process is called chalazion. With internal inflammation of the tissues of the fundus of the eye, meibomitis is formed. Let's look at both diseases in more detail.



A stye is an inflammatory condition on the eyelid caused by inflammation of the eyelash follicle due to a bacterial infection. An inflamed gland is called an “abscess”. It is popularly known as “staphyloma” or “thorn”. Acute stye is an inflammation of the hair follicle of the eyelash, which is accompanied by swelling of the skin, the formation of a purulent head and redness of the edge of the eyelid and the mucous membrane of the eye. As a rule, it occurs on the upper eyelid and can develop anywhere from the inner edge of the palpebral fissure to the eyebrows. But the place of its occurrence coincides either with the area directly adjacent to the eyelashes, or with a short distance from it. Hangnails can sometimes appear on the edge of the eyelid, then they are called “behind the ears.” The formation of barley during a sluggish process is not strictly fixed; it can move from one century to another. Ulcers most often occur on the upper eyelid. Children get sick much less frequently than adults. Children become infected 3-5 times faster than adults. But if in appearance the process in children is difficult to distinguish from that in adults, then by the child’s recovery one can judge the nature of the process. With barley ulcer, there is no external difference, however, there are clear symptoms characteristic only of childhood conjunctivitis. After a week, purulent crusts turn into soft ones and gradually disappear. Barley needs treatment under the strict supervision of an ophthalmologist, since inept treatment