Are styes contagious? Understanding the transmission of stye infections
If you have an uncomfortable bump near the edge of your eyelid, you may have a stye. Don't panic. This common eye condition usually resolves within a few days. But are styes contagious? Not in the traditional sense, but there are some things you can do to prevent stye-causing bacteria from interfering with your plans.
Stye infections and their characteristics
What is a stye?
A stye is a painful bump that shows up on the edge of your eyelid. External styes affect the glands that lubricate your eyelashes, while internal styes impact the glands responsible for producing the oil that mixes with your tears. Most styes form on the outer part of your eyelid, but it's possible for one to pop up on the inner side of the lid.
In addition to the painful bump, a stye may cause the following symptoms:
- Excessive tearing
- Swelling of the eyelid
- Itching
- Light sensitivity
Causes of styes
At any given time, you have about 1,000 species of bacteria living on your skin. In other words, you're a walking Petri dish. When one of those organisms gets into the skin of your eyelid, it makes itself right at home. This may cause a stye to form. In most cases, styes form due to a localized infection with Staphylococcus aureus. It's also possible to develop a stye if you have blocked oil glands or don't take care of your eyelids as well as you should.
Contagious or not? Stye transmission
Stye contagiousness
Although styes are often caused by bacteria, they're not contagious in the traditional sense. You can't give someone a stye just by sharing food or maintaining close contact. However, you can spread the bacteria responsible for styes. Approximately 30% of all people carry Staphylococcus aureus in their noses, making it extremely easy to spread infection-causing bacteria if you don't practice good hygiene.
Stye transmission routes
You can spread Staphylococcus and other types of bacteria by touching your stye and then touching other objects. For example, if you rub your eye and then play a game of Candy Crush on your phone, you may leave some bacteria on the screen. If you let a friend use your phone, they may pick up that bacteria and transfer it to one of their eyes. This is known as indirect contact.
Stye-causing bacteria also spread via direct contact. For example, if you have someone else do your makeup, they may pick up Staphylococcus aureus while applying eye shadow or other products that go on or around the eyelid.
Preventing stye transmission
Good hygiene practices
To reduce the risk of spreading stye-causing bacteria to other people, wash your hands frequently. You should wash them after touching your face, after using the restroom, before handling food, and after eating. Good eyelid hygiene is essential for reducing the number of bacteria on your eyelids. When you wash your face, make sure you wipe your eyelids thoroughly. If you frequently get blocked tear ducts, use a mild face wash to clean around your lashes.
Handling and care
If you have a stye, avoid sharing towels, washcloths, and related items with other people. You should never share cosmetics, but it's especially important to stop if you have a stye or some other type of bacterial infection. For best results, do everything you can to avoid touching your face. If you catch yourself slipping up, wash your hands immediately.
It's also a good idea to avoid giving others any butterfly kisses until the stye goes away. This is when you flutter your eyelashes against someone else's face. Finally, avoid other types of direct contact, such as having a makeup artist work on your eyelids or asking a stylist to give you lash extensions.
Addressing common misconceptions
Dispelling misconceptions
A contagious infection spreads rapidly from person to person. This is what distinguishes styes from pink eye and other contagious eye infections. Although styes aren't contagious in the traditional sense, it's possible to spread stye-causing bacteria to other people. Understanding the difference between contagious and noncontagious infections can help you determine which precautions to take.
Practice proper eye care
Styes aren't highly contagious, but they can be transmitted via poor hygiene or close contact with other people. The good news is that you can reduce the risk of transmission by taking care of your eyelids, washing your hands frequently, and taking other preventive measures. If you wear contacts, it's also important to clean your lenses regularly. Use 1-800 Contacts to find your preferred brand if it's time for a new pair.
Frequently asked questions
Can sharing personal items like towels lead to stye transmission?
Yes. When you share personal items, it's possible to transmit stye-causing bacteria to other people.
What are the key preventive measures for minimizing the risk of stye transmission?
The top measures for reducing the risk of stye transmission include frequent hand washing and good eyelid hygiene.
Should I avoid close contact with others when I have a stye?
You don't have to stay away from the people you love. Just avoid sharing personal items with them or allowing them to touch your face.