In summer, the skin sweats a lot and bacteria are more likely to enter the eyelids

□ Science Times reporter Wu Qiong

Recently, topics such as "Never squeeze styes with your hands when they are most common" and "Why are styes more common in summer" have sparked heated discussions online.

According to Li Fangqing, deputy chief physician of the Department of Ophthalmology at Peking University People's Hospital, stye, also known as hordeolum, is the familiar "stye" of the people. It is usually an acute suppurative inflammation of the eyelid glands caused by staphylococcal infection. According to the location of occurrence, it is divided into internal and external styes. When a stye grows, the skin in the corresponding part often turns red. When the condition is more serious, the entire eyelid will be obviously congested and red, accompanied by eyelid edema, and sometimes a small nodule or swelling can be felt. The eyelids will also be painful, and the pain is more obvious when touched.

Li Fangqing reminded that in summer, the temperature is high, bacteria are easy to multiply, and sweating makes it easier for bacteria to enter the eyelid glands, leading to infection and styes. Therefore, you must pay attention to eye hygiene and never rub your eyes with dirty hands.

Stye is an infectious disease, and anti-infection treatment is generally chosen. In most cases, patients only need to use local anti-infective drugs. Internal styes can be treated with antibiotic eye drops, such as levofloxacin eye drops, and antibiotic eye ointments such as ofloxacin eye ointment can be applied to the conjunctival sac, or to the surface of the outer skin. In the very early stages of infection, hot compresses can be applied to the eyelids to speed up absorption, but when the eyelids are obviously red and swollen, hot compresses should no longer be applied.

In addition, if a "pus head" appears on the skin, do not squeeze it yourself, and you need to see an ophthalmologist. "During the period of stye, do not wear contact lenses or eye makeup to avoid aggravating the condition. During the period of onset, it is best to avoid spicy food." Li Fangqing said.