It is important to distinguish between these, because they are all treated differently.

• Skin Cancer – can look very similar to a stye. Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer that forms on the eyelid.
• Preseptal cellulitis – which is an actual infection of the skin. Typically, the whole eyelid gets red, more painful and swollen.
• Sebaceous cell Carcinoma – this is a very serious and aggressive form of cancer. We worry about this more in older patients who have recurrent Styes on one eyelid.
• Pyogenic Granuloma – this is a deep red and inflamed bump that comes after a patient had a stye.
• Other Growths – such as cysts, nevi and benign lid tumors can all look like styes.