From the FDA Drug Label
Directions adults and children 2 years of age and older: clean the affected area apply a small amount of this product (an amount equal to the surface area of the tip of a finger) on the area 1 to 3 times daily may be covered with a sterile bandage children under 2 years of age: ask a doctor
The recommended treatment for a stye in children 2 years of age and older is to:
- Clean the affected area
- Apply a small amount of bacitracin ointment (equal to the surface area of the tip of a finger) on the area 1 to 3 times daily
- The area may be covered with a sterile bandage For children under 2 years of age, it is recommended to ask a doctor 1
From the Research
The recommended treatment for a stye in children is warm compresses applied to the affected eyelid for 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times daily until the stye resolves. This approach is based on general medical knowledge and expert recommendations, as there is limited high-quality evidence specifically addressing the treatment of styes in children 2, 3. The use of warm compresses helps bring the infection to a head and promotes drainage. Gentle massage of the area after applying the warm compress may help express the contents of the blocked gland.
Children should avoid touching or squeezing the stye and should practice good eye hygiene by washing hands frequently and avoiding sharing towels or washcloths. Over-the-counter pain relievers like children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used according to age-appropriate dosing if the stye is painful. If the stye doesn't improve within a week, worsens, affects vision, or spreads to other areas, medical attention should be sought. A doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye ointments such as erythromycin or bacitracin for more severe infections. Styes typically result from bacterial infection of an oil gland in the eyelid, most commonly by Staphylococcus aureus, and warm compresses work by increasing blood circulation to the area, which helps the body's immune system fight the infection more effectively.
Key considerations in managing styes in children include:
- Avoiding the use of hot compresses, which can cause burns
- Not squeezing or puncturing the stye, as this can lead to further infection or scarring
- Practicing good hygiene to prevent the spread of infection
- Monitoring for signs of more serious infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or purulent discharge, which may require antibiotic treatment 2.
Given the lack of specific evidence from the provided studies 2, 3, which focused on internal hordeolum and excluded external hordeola (styes), the recommended approach is based on consensus and expert opinion, prioritizing the principles of minimizing morbidity, mortality, and improving quality of life.