Sondra Giebl, age 11, of Wakita, Okla. for her question:

WHAT IS A STY?

When the skin opening at the base of an eyelash becomes

infected, the result is a sty. It's much like a pimple or blackhead that forms on other parts of the body.

Causing the infection, usually, is a blockage of the skin opening  or follicle, as it is also called  by a plug of the oily secretion from the sebaceous glands. This is a gland that connects to the follicle. When this happens, a staphylococcus germ sometimes comes along and produces an infection that brings a red, swollen, painful and sensitive to the touch area at the eye's lower lid.

Some doctors prescribe a .warm compress to help draw out the infection. Fortunately sties usually clear up with little or no treatment after a few days.