- Bacterial infections: Staphylococcus bacteria, normally found on healthy skin, figure most prominently in the causes of styes. Once these bacteria invade the eye, they cause blockage of oil glands at the base of eyelashes.
- Poor hygiene: Styes can also be triggered by sharing of face towels of infected individuals with others. People having a habit of wiping mucus from the nose and then rubbing the eyes are more prone to develop stye due to infection of bacteria to the eyelid.
- Foreign substances: Dust or cosmetics can block the gland openings and are today, among the rising causes of styes.
Stye is an acute infection that will usually drain on its own in few days. In some cases though, the inflamed gland can get completely blocked leading to a chalazion. If it grows bigger in size, it can cause trouble in vision.
