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Is having a stye caused by "excessive internal heat"?

Oct 25, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lu Cheng
Introduction
Stye refers to hordeolum. In general, whether hordeolum is caused by "excess internal heat" (a traditional Chinese medicine concept) depends on whether the patient also experiences other symptoms such as chapped lips, angular cheilitis, irritability, and so on. If these symptoms are present, the condition may be due to "excess internal heat"; otherwise, it is likely not caused by this factor. Patients with hordeolum should seek medical treatment under the guidance of a physician.

Stye usually refers to hordeolum. If hordeolum is accompanied by other symptoms of "internal heat" such as chapped lips, inflamed mouth corners, and irritability, it may be caused by "excessive internal heat." If there are no other such symptoms, it may not be due to internal heat. If discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended.

Hordeolum is an inflammatory condition caused by infection of the eyelid glands. "Internal heat" (or "fire excess") refers to a state of bodily imbalance between yin and yang, resulting in excessive internal heat due to various factors. If a patient frequently consumes spicy or stimulating foods, it may lead to accumulated heat in the spleen and stomach, reduce resistance against external wind-heat pathogens, cause upward attack of heat-toxin to the eyelids, stagnation of qi and blood in the eyelid, excessive heat leading to tissue corruption, and thus trigger the disease. If, in addition to hordeolum, the patient also experiences symptoms of internal heat such as dry cracked lips, mouth corner inflammation, and irritability, the condition may indeed be caused by internal heat. In such cases, patients may take medications like Huanglian Shangqing Pian or Sanhuang Pian under medical guidance.

Hordeolum may also be caused by bacterial infection, allergies, or other factors. If a person rubs their eyes with unclean hands, bacteria may invade the eyelid, causing inflammation and triggering hordeolum. If the eyes come into contact with allergens such as pollen or animal hair, an allergic reaction may occur and lead to hordeolum. If hordeolum appears without other signs of internal heat, it may be due to other causes. Patients should use medications such as tobramycin eye drops or ofloxacin eye drops under a doctor's supervision and maintain good eye hygiene.

In daily life, it is important to develop healthy habits, ensure adequate sleep, avoid staying up late, and maintain a positive mood, avoiding negative emotions such as anxiety and irritability, all of which contribute to overall health.

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