Is it just a stye?

[CC1991]

Late Thursday night the lower lid, inner corner of one eye got a little swollen, red, and tender - right in the area of the tear duct. Each day it has gotten a little worse. (Today is Saturday.) There is no scratch or pimple and I was not hit. The inner corner swollen spot is tender to touch and sometimes itchy. Hot wet cloth compresses help for a few hours. From what I have read, I think it is a stye. The thing I haven't found  any info about is that the "bag" under the eye (that sometimes-puffy area of skin that sits above the cheekbone) is quite puffy and red.  It is not at all tender and is not changed by the compresses, it just looks bad.
Does this sound like a stye, or something else? If a stye, do I need to seek medical attention, or just keep using the hot, damp compresses?
I live in a small town where very few medical resources are available during the weekend, which is why I am seeking advice. Thank you so very much.

[CC1991]

Thank you so kindly for your answer. It helped me avoid getting unnecessarily nervous. It is now Sunday evening and I have used the compresses about 3-4 times a day. I am very happy to report that ALL the symptoms are almost gone! There is still a little redness, swelling, and tenderness at the lash-line point, but the surrounding redness is gone, along with the puffy "bag".  Hooray and my sincere thanks!

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

The baggy area under the eyelids is swelling due to the irritation due to the chalazion.  It is much more common in older people and if you are a little heavy with slightly baggy lids to begin with.  Keep up the warm compresses, watch out for increasing swelling or redness or pain of the eyelid.  Watch out for fever, chills and feeling sick. Hopefully it is just a stye or chalazion but sometimes things can progress to preseptal cellulitis and even orbital cellulitis so keep a close eye on things.  You should really see an ophthalmologist to have a look.

MJK MD