Why Is There a Hard Bump After Treating a Stye?

The stye has swollen down, but there is still a hard lump that is not painful?

On the evening of July 3rd (Friday), my eyes were itchy, and I rubbed them.
After a while, I felt pain in my eyes and noticed that my eyelids were completely red.
On July 4th (Saturday), I kept pulling at the corners of my eyes, and by the morning of July 5th (Sunday), my lower eyelid was swollen.
On July 6th (Monday) morning, I went to see a doctor who diagnosed me with a stye and prescribed eye drops.
After using the drops for three days, there was no reduction in swelling, and I even felt a noticeable hard lump, but there was no visible white pus head.
Therefore, on the evening of July 8th (Wednesday), I visited another ophthalmology clinic.
The doctor said there was a bacterial infection and that there was a wound inside my eyelid.
He also prescribed eye drops and mentioned that if the swelling did not subside in three days, I should return for him to drain the abscess.
By July 10th (Friday), feeling that the swelling had not improved at all, I decided to return for a follow-up.
In the evening, the doctor drained the abscess and prescribed more eye drops and ointment, asking me to return the next day to check the wound.
On the morning of July 11th (Saturday), my eyelid was very swollen.
During the follow-up, I told the doctor about the swelling, and he prescribed an additional bottle of medication for reducing swelling.
After a week of using the eye drops and ointment, the swelling decreased, but there was still a small lump on the lower eyelid that was not painful, and I could feel a hard mass upon pressing.
On July 20th (Monday) evening, I returned for another follow-up, and the doctor changed my eye drops for me to continue using.
Why is there still a hard lump even after the abscess has been drained? My eye condition has persisted for over two weeks, which is longer than previous occurrences of styes.
The inside of my eyelid is still somewhat red.
How long do I need to continue using the eye drops before it gets better?

wen, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2020/07/21

Dr. Gao Pilin reply Ophthalmology

Hello, if there is still a hard lump, it may indicate a more serious inflammation that will take some time to resolve.
It could also be a chalazion, which is a type of granuloma.
Both conditions occur on the eyelid.
For more detailed information, you can refer to: https://bit.ly/2CqNiYB.

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Please note that online responses are for reference only; it is essential to seek medical attention at a healthcare facility if necessary.
I hope to have the opportunity to assist you.

Gao Pilin

Reply Date: 2020/07/21

More Info

After experiencing a stye, or "hordeolum," it is not uncommon for patients to notice a hard bump remaining on the eyelid even after the infection seems to have resolved. This can be concerning, especially if the bump persists for an extended period.
The hard bump you are feeling is likely a result of several factors related to the healing process of the eyelid after the stye. Initially, a stye occurs when a gland in the eyelid becomes blocked, leading to inflammation and infection. The body responds to this infection by sending white blood cells to the area, which can cause swelling and redness. Once the stye is treated, either through medication or drainage, the visible symptoms may subside, but the underlying tissue can still be healing.

One reason for the persistent hard bump is the formation of scar tissue. When the body heals from an infection, it often produces collagen to repair the damaged tissue. This collagen can create a firm lump under the skin, which may feel hard to the touch. This is a normal part of the healing process, and over time, this scar tissue may soften and become less noticeable.

Another possibility is that there may still be residual inflammation or a small amount of fluid in the area. Even after the pus has been drained, the body may continue to react to the initial infection, leading to a lingering bump. This can be exacerbated by the presence of bacteria or debris that may not have been completely cleared during the drainage procedure.

If the bump is not painful and does not show signs of infection (such as increased redness, warmth, or discharge), it is generally not a cause for concern. However, it is essential to follow up with your eye doctor, especially since you mentioned that the bump has persisted for over two weeks. Your doctor may recommend continued use of anti-inflammatory medications or topical treatments to help reduce any remaining swelling.

In terms of how long you should continue using the prescribed eye drops and ointments, it is crucial to adhere to your doctor's instructions. If you notice no improvement after the recommended duration, or if the bump changes in size or becomes painful, you should return to your doctor for further evaluation. They may consider additional treatments, such as corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation or, in rare cases, further surgical intervention to remove any residual cyst or scar tissue.

In summary, the hard bump you are experiencing after treating a stye is likely due to scar tissue formation or residual inflammation. While it can be concerning, it is often a normal part of the healing process. Continuous monitoring and following your doctor's advice will be essential in ensuring proper recovery. If symptoms persist or worsen, do not hesitate to seek further medical advice.

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