If you’ve ever had a stye, you know how they can be an uncomfortable eye condition. And while there isn’t research that directly links styes to headaches, it’s possible that styes could contribute to that aching feeling in your head.
In this blog, we’ll explore this connection in more depth, along with some tips for both preventing styes and managing them should the need arise. You should consider seeing your eye doctor for an eye exam if your symptoms don’t improve in a few days with the home treatment methods we describe below.
What Is a Stye?
A stye, or hordeolum, is a painful bump that forms on the eyelid, usually near the lash line. It often results from a bacterial infection in an oil gland or hair follicle. Styes typically resemble pimples or boils, and can often be filled with pus. While they’re more of an annoyance than a serious health issue, they can cause significant discomfort.
Common Symptoms of Styes
Styes are notorious for their telltale symptoms:
- Pain and redness: The affected area becomes sore, tender, and visibly red
- Swelling: The eyelid may swell up, making it difficult to open the eye full
- Watery eyes: Increased tear production often accompanies a stye
- Crusting: The eye may discharge pus, leading to crusting around the eyelid
Understanding these symptoms helps identify a stye early and manage it effectively.
What Causes Styes?
Styes are primarily caused by bacteria. These bacteria can invade the eyelid’s oil glands or hair follicles, leading to infection and swelling. But how do these bacteria get there in the first place?
Several factors can increase the risk of developing a stye:
- Poor eyelid hygiene: Not properly cleaning the eyelids can lead to bacterial accumulation.
- Touching eyes with unwashed hands: Transferring bacteria from your hands to your eyes is an easy way to get a stye.
- Using expired or contaminated makeup: Old makeup can harbor bacteria that lead to infections.
- Stress and sleep deprivation: These things can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections.
By understanding these factors, you can take preventive measures to avoid styes.
The Eye-Headache Connection
It’s not uncommon for people with styes to experience headaches. But can a stye directly cause a headache, or is it just a coincidence? Let’s explore the potential link.
How a Stye Might Trigger a Headache
The connection between a stye and a headache can be explained through a few mechanisms:
- Spread of Inflammation: The inflammation from a stye can spread to surrounding tissues, including areas that may trigger a headache.
- Eye strain: The discomfort and swelling from a stye can cause you to squint or strain your eyes, leading to a headache.
- Stress response: The stress and discomfort of dealing with a painful stye might lead to tension headaches.
These mechanisms suggest that, while a stye isn’t a direct cause of headaches it can contribute to factors that trigger one.
Managing Styes & Headaches
Dealing with a stye and a headache can be challenging, but there are practical steps you can take to manage both effectively.
Tips for Preventing & Treating Styes
Preventing styes involves good hygiene and healthy habits:
- Eyelid hygiene: Clean your eyelids with a gentle, non-irritating cleanser
- Hand washing: Always wash your hands before touching your face or eyes
- Safe makeup practices: Avoid sharing makeup and replace eye makeup regularly
If you already have a stye, these treatments can help:
- Warm compresses: Apply a warm compress to the affected area several times a day to reduce swelling and promote drainage
- Avoid squeezing: Never try to squeeze or pop a stye, as this can spread the infection
- Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments: Use antibiotic ointments or drops as recommended by your eye doctor
Alleviating Headaches
To manage headaches that could be associated with a stye:
- Rest your eyes: Take regular breaks from screens and activities that strain your eyes
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration, which can contribute to headaches
- OTC pain relief: Use pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed
Combining these approaches can help you tackle both styes and headaches more effectively.
Discuss Your Symptoms with Your Eye Doctor
While a stye may not directly cause a headache, the discomfort and inflammation that it causes can undoubtedly contribute to one. Understanding the connection between eye health and headaches empowers you to take proactive steps in managing both.
If you continue experiencing frequent styes or headaches, consulting with a healthcare professional is always a wise move. They can provide personalized advice and treatment options to help you find relief. And if you do have a stye that doesn’t start resolving within 48-hours, you should seek medical attention from your optometrists, as you may need further treatment. Call our team at Total Vision El Cajon today to book an exam. One of our experienced eye doctors can examine your eyes and offer tailored advice and treatment.
