Can stye compromise a heart device?
JUL 02, 2014
Question:
I have what I think is a stye. I am a heart surgery patient and my aortic valve was replaced with a prosthetic aortic valve four years ago. My cardiologist constantly reminds me to try and prevent any infections with staph. I read a stye is caused by staph. Can this get to my heart through the blood at all? I am not worried about the stye and understand that this should go within a few days, just a little concerned that the staph could get to my heart. I have prophylactic antibiotics with dentistry, etc., but don't know if it is a bit over the top to get antibiotics to cover my heart just because of a simple stye, but would rather be ''safe than sorry."?
Answer:
It is very unlikely for the stye to spread to the heart valves. The bacteria stay localized to the eyelid with these infections. I would not worry about spread of infection but a stye can develop into a cellulitis of the eyelids if untreated. Use warm compresses several times during the day and see your ophthalmologist to start an antibiotic ointment if it’s not better in a few days.