Can a Stye Occur Near the Eyebrow?
No, a stye cannot occur near the eyebrow—styes are specifically localized to the eyelid margin where oil glands and eyelash follicles are located, not in the eyebrow region.
Anatomical Location of Styes
A stye (hordeolum) is an acute, purulent inflammation that occurs exclusively on the eyelid margin due to infection of specific glands 1, 2:
- External hordeolum (stye): Affects the glands of Zeis or Moll associated with eyelash follicles at the eyelid margin 3
- Internal hordeolum: Affects the meibomian glands within the tarsal plate of the eyelid 1, 3
Both types are confined to the eyelid structure itself, not the surrounding facial areas like the eyebrow region 4.
Why This Distinction Matters Clinically
Differential Diagnosis Considerations
If a patient presents with what appears to be an inflammatory lesion near the eyebrow rather than the eyelid margin, consider alternative diagnoses:
- Seborrheic dermatitis: Patients with seborrheic blepharitis frequently have seborrheic dermatitis of the eyebrows and scalp with greasy scaling 5
- Folliculitis or furuncle: Bacterial infection of hair follicles in the eyebrow area
- Impetigo: Especially in children, can affect facial areas including around the eyebrows 6
Important Clinical Pitfall
Do not dismiss recurrent eyelid lesions (actual styes on the lid margin) as benign, particularly in children—they may represent early ocular rosacea before facial manifestations appear 7, 6. Children with recurrent styes have increased risk of developing adult rosacea and can develop serious complications including corneal involvement, melting, and perforation 7.
Key Examination Points
When evaluating suspected styes, confirm the lesion is actually on the eyelid margin by examining 7:
- Eyelid margin findings: Telangiectasia, meibomian gland orifice narrowing/pouting, cylindrical dandruff at eyelash base
- Location specificity: The inflammation must involve the eyelid margin structures, not periorbital or eyebrow skin
- Associated features: Blood-tinged debris, collarette formation at the base of cilia in staphylococcal blepharitis 5