A stye is a painful eye infection that can cause redness, swelling, and pus-filled bumps on the eyelid. Though they are usually harmless, styes can be quite uncomfortable. Some people believe dogs can cause styes, but no scientific evidence supports this claim.
However, it is important to note that dogs can carry harmful bacteria in their fur. If this bacteria comes into contact with the eye, it could lead to an eye infection. For this reason, cleaning your hands thoroughly after petting a dog is important – while you’re at it, you should not let your dog lick your face. If you do develop a stye, you should see a doctor as soon as possible for treatment.
In the upcoming paragraphs, we will look at the causes and symptoms of styes.
What Causes Styes?
A sty is a small, painful lump that can develop on the edge of your eyelid. Styes are caused by a bacterial infection of the hair follicle or oil gland. They usually occur when bacteria enter the eye through a cut or break in the skin. Once inside the eye, the bacteria can multiply and cause the surrounding tissue to become inflamed.
Styes are usually harmless and will go away on their own within a week or two. However, if you develop a sty, you should see your doctor to ensure it is not a more serious condition. There are a few other things that can increase your risk of developing a sty, including:
- Not Washing Your Hands Regularly: Bacteria can build up on unwashed hands and then spread to the eyes when you touch them.
- Rubbing or Touching Your Eyes: Rubbing or touching your eyes with unclean hands can spread bacteria from your hands to your eyes and increase the risk of infection.
- Wearing Contact Lenses: Contact lenses can trap bacteria on the eye’s surface, leading to infection.
- Having Blepharitis: This is a condition that causes inflammation of the eyelids, which can make them more susceptible to infection. If you think you may have a sty, it is essential to see a doctor so that they can rule out any other potential causes.
- Using Expired Makeup: When makeup expires, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Applying expired makeup to the eyelids can increase the risk of developing a sty. If you have a sty, it is important to avoid wearing makeup until the infection clears.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can increase your risk of developing a sty because it weakens your immune system. This makes it harder for your body to fight off infections. High blood sugar levels can also damage the small blood vessels in your eyelids, making them more susceptible to infection.
- Rosacea: Rosacea is a chronic condition that causes redness and inflammation of the skin. It can also cause the development of styes. Rosacea is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
- Wearing Makeup Overnight: When makeup is not removed before bed, it can clog the pores and traps bacteria against the skin. This makes it more likely that a sty will form. If you wear makeup, clean your face thoroughly before going to bed to reduce your risk of developing a sty.
Symptoms of Styes
Eyelid Pain
The pain is often described as throbbing or burning. A sty can also cause the eyelid to feel tender to the touch. If the sty is located near the edge of the eyelid, it may also cause the eyelid to feel irritated or itchy. In some cases, a sty may cause the eyelashes to fall out.
Swollen Eyelids
Symptoms of a sty include a red, swollen, painful bump on the eyelid. The bump may be filled with pus. Eyelid pus can be very uncomfortable and cause a lot of swelling in the eyelids. You can do a few things to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
First, try applying a warm compress to the area for a few minutes. This will help to draw out the pus and reduce the swelling. You can also try massaging the eyelid gently to help encourage drainage. If the pus is not draining on its own, you may need to see a doctor to have it drained.
Teary Eyes
One of the most common symptoms of a stye is teary eyes. This happens because the stye puts pressure on your tear ducts, which are responsible for draining tears from your eyes. As a result, your tear ducts become blocked, and your tears overflow. In addition to causing teary eyes, a stye can also cause redness, swelling, and tenderness around the affected eyelid.
Ways to Deal with Styes
Styes treatment usually involves applying a warm compress to the affected area for several minutes at a time. This can help to reduce swelling and pain. You may also need to clean your eyelid with a mild soap and water solution.
If the stye does not improve after a few days, you may need to see a doctor for medication or surgery. In rare cases, styes can lead to serious infections. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention if you experience any severe pain, redness, or swelling around your eye.
Bacterial Infections Caused by Dogs
Bacterial infections caused by dogs to humans are not as common as people think. In fact, most bacterial infections that humans contract come from other humans, not dogs. However, certain types of bacterial infections can be transmitted from dogs to humans.
For example, the bacteria that causes kennel cough can be passed from dogs to humans, and the bacteria that causes ringworm can also be transmitted from dogs to humans. While these bacterial infections are not typically life-threatening, they can cause serious illness in some people, especially those with weakened immune systems.
As a result, people need to be aware of the potential for bacterial infections when around dogs.
Though we love our dogs, it’s important to remember that they can sometimes be a source of bacterial infection for humans. Fortunately, you can take a few simple steps to reduce the risk of bacterial infection from your dog. First, always clean your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with your dog, particularly if you have any cuts or open wounds on your hands.
Second, avoid letting your dog lick any open wounds or cuts you may have on your body. Finally, if you notice any signs of bacterial infection on your dogs – such as excessive licking, redness, or swelling – be sure to take them to the vet for treatment immediately. Following these simple tips can help keep yourself and your family safe from bacterial infections caused by dogs.
Final Word
So, the answer to our question is maybe. Dogs can cause styes in humans, but it’s not a guarantee. If you start to notice any symptoms of a sty, it’s best to see your doctor and rule out other potential causes. And if you have a dog, make sure you keep your eyes clean and free of bacteria by washing your hands regularly and using pet-safe eye drops.
