Can Low Iron Cause Styes? Understanding the Nutritional Link

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency globally, affecting an estimated 30% of the population. While not a direct cause, low iron can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to the bacterial infections, like Staphylococcus aureus, that lead to the formation of a stye.

Quick Summary

An iron deficiency can compromise immune function, increasing the risk of bacterial infections, such as those that cause styes. A weakened immune system is less effective at fighting off pathogens, making a stye more likely to occur.

Key Points

Indirect Link: Low iron does not directly cause styes, but it can weaken the immune system, increasing susceptibility to the bacterial infections that do.
Immune Impairment: Iron deficiency compromises the function of immune cells like neutrophils and reduces immunoglobulin levels, hindering the body's ability to fight pathogens.
Risk Factor: The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of styes, and a weakened immune system makes it easier for this bacteria to cause an infection.
Nutritional Strategy: A balanced diet rich in iron, including sources like lean meat, legumes, and dark leafy greens, is key to supporting a strong immune system.
Enhance Absorption: Pairing iron-rich plant-based foods with vitamin C can significantly improve the body's ability to absorb the mineral.
Complementary Habits: In addition to nutrition, maintaining strict eye hygiene, such as removing makeup and not rubbing eyes, is essential for stye prevention.
Seek Medical Advice: If you have persistent styes or suspect an iron deficiency, it is important to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

A stye is a common, painful red bump that appears on the eyelid, caused by a bacterial infection of an oil gland, most often by Staphylococcus aureus. While poor hygiene, blepharitis, and contaminated cosmetics are well-known risk factors for developing a stye, the role of nutrition is often overlooked. A balanced diet provides the foundation for a strong immune system, and when key nutrients like iron are lacking, the body's ability to fight off infection is compromised. The relationship between low iron and styes is therefore not direct, but rather a crucial indirect connection mediated by the immune system's function.

The Indirect Link: Iron, Immunity, and Infection

Iron is a vital mineral that plays a fundamental role in maintaining a healthy immune system. It is essential for the proliferation and maturation of immune cells, including lymphocytes and neutrophils, which are crucial for mounting an effective response against invading pathogens. When iron levels are insufficient, the entire immune system is affected, leaving the body more vulnerable to infections.

A compromised immune system due to low iron status can increase the risk of developing a stye through several mechanisms:

Weakened Immune Response: Iron deficiency has been shown to impair the function of neutrophils and macrophages, key immune cells responsible for engulfing and destroying bacteria. A reduced 'oxidative burst' activity in these cells means they are less effective at killing staphylococcus bacteria that infect eyelid glands.
Increased Vulnerability to Bacteria: The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus is commonly present on the skin. A healthy immune system keeps this bacteria in check. However, in an iron-deficient state, the body's first line of defense is degraded, allowing this opportunistic pathogen to cause an infection more easily.
Reduced Immunoglobulin Levels: Studies on children with iron deficiency anemia have revealed significantly lower levels of IgG, an important type of antibody, compared to healthy children. This further weakens the body's specific immune response to fight off infections.
Skin Health and Integrity: Iron deficiency can affect skin health, sometimes causing dryness and itchiness (pruritus). Rubbing or scratching the eye area can introduce bacteria, increasing the risk of an eyelid infection that can develop into a stye.

Promoting Eye Health Through Proper Nutrition

Maintaining optimal iron levels is a proactive step in bolstering your immune system and reducing the risk of styes. A varied diet rich in both heme and non-heme iron sources is the most effective approach.

Iron-Rich Foods to Include in Your Diet

Heme Iron Sources (from animal products):
- Red meat (lean beef, lamb)
- Poultry (chicken, turkey)
- Fish (tuna, salmon, sardines)
- Shellfish (oysters, clams)
- Organ meats (liver)
Non-Heme Iron Sources (from plants and fortified foods):
- Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans)
- Dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale)
- Tofu
- Nuts and seeds
- Fortified cereals and breads

Maximize Iron Absorption

To boost the absorption of non-heme iron, it's recommended to pair these foods with a source of vitamin C. A citrus fruit juice, a few strawberries, or some bell peppers with your spinach salad can significantly enhance iron uptake.

A Comparative Look: How Iron Status Affects Susceptibility


Factor	Healthy Iron Status	Low Iron Status (Deficiency)
Immune Cell Function	Strong proliferation and differentiation of immune cells, including neutrophils and lymphocytes.	Impaired maturation and function of key immune cells, leading to a weaker response.
Defense Against Bacteria	Robust non-specific immunity; capable of effectively neutralizing bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus.	Degraded first-line defenses, making the body more susceptible to bacterial infection.
Skin Condition	Healthy skin and mucous membranes act as effective barriers against pathogens.	Increased risk of skin issues like dryness and itchiness, potentially breaching the skin barrier through scratching.
Stye Risk	Lower risk of developing styes due to an effective immune response keeping bacteria in check.	Increased susceptibility to the bacterial infection that causes styes due to weakened immunity.
Overall Health	Higher energy levels, better concentration, and overall physical and mental well-being.	Symptoms like fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and shortness of breath due to reduced oxygen transport.

Complementary Habits for Stye Prevention

While addressing potential nutritional deficiencies is important, it should be combined with consistent hygiene practices to fully protect against styes. This dual approach is most effective for maintaining eye health.

Best Practices for Stye Prevention:

Cleanliness is Key: Regularly wash your face, and if you have a condition like blepharitis, keep your eyelids and eyelashes clean to prevent the build-up of oil and bacteria.
Safe Makeup Habits: Always remove all eye makeup before bed. Additionally, replace eye makeup like mascara and eyeliner every few months to prevent bacterial contamination. Never share eye makeup with others.
Wash Your Hands: Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes, especially with unwashed hands, as this can transfer staphylococcus bacteria directly to the eyelid.
Contact Lens Hygiene: Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling contact lenses and follow proper disinfection procedures.
Avoid Popping Styes: Never attempt to squeeze or pop a stye, as this can spread the infection and cause more inflammation.

Conclusion: The Holistic View of Stye Prevention

While a low iron level is not a direct cause of a stye, it is a significant contributing factor through its impact on the immune system. Iron deficiency weakens the body's ability to fight off bacterial invaders, making it easier for the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria to cause an infection in an eyelid gland. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to preventing styes involves both good hygiene practices and a nutrient-rich diet that supports robust immune function. Ensuring adequate iron intake, along with a balanced diet, fortifies the body's natural defenses, reducing the risk of a stye and promoting overall health. If you suspect an iron deficiency or frequently experience styes, consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.

For more information on the critical role of iron in immune health, you can visit the National Institutes of Health website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, low iron does not directly cause styes. However, it can weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to the bacterial infections, primarily from Staphylococcus aureus, that lead to stye formation.

Iron is critical for the proper functioning of the immune system. A deficiency can impair the maturation and function of immune cells like neutrophils and reduce antibody production (IgG), which decreases the body's overall ability to fight off infections.

The most common causes of styes include bacterial infection of the eyelid's oil glands (Staphylococcus aureus), poor eyelid hygiene, inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis), and using contaminated or expired eye cosmetics.

You can increase your iron intake by eating iron-rich foods such as lean red meat, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, and dark green leafy vegetables. Consuming vitamin C along with these foods can also enhance iron absorption.

Common symptoms of iron deficiency include extreme tiredness, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, cold hands and feet, and brittle nails. A weakened immune system resulting in more infections can also be a sign.

Good hygiene is crucial for preventing styes. This includes washing your face regularly, removing eye makeup before bed, not rubbing your eyes with unwashed hands, and replacing eye cosmetics every few months.

If you experience frequent or persistent styes, or if a stye affects your vision, it is advisable to see an optometrist or doctor. They can determine if an underlying issue, such as a nutritional deficiency or chronic condition like blepharitis, is a factor.