what causes a stye in your eye

A stye in your eye is typically caused by an infection of the oil glands or hair follicles at the base of the eyelashes. The main culprit is usually the bacterium Staphylococcus, which is commonly found on the skin and in the nose and can be easily transferred to the eye through touching or rubbing. More specifically, the infection or inflammation causes the ducts of these glands to become blocked, leading to a buildup of oil that causes swelling and a painful lump on the eyelid. This lump often looks like a red bump and may have a yellow spot in the middle, similar to a pimple. Risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing a stye include poor hygiene (such as not washing hands before touching the eyes), not removing eye makeup properly, using old or contaminated cosmetics, conditions like blepharitis (eyelid inflammation), rosacea, diabetes, and using improperly sanitized contact lenses. In summary, the primary cause of a stye is a bacterial infection (mainly Staphylococcus) in an eyelash follicle or oil gland, often triggered by blocked ducts due to oil buildup or irritation, with contributing factors being hygiene practices and some medical or skin conditions. This infection results in eyelid swelling, redness, pain, and formation of a small, pus-filled lump.