Stye under my hamster's eye?

[piapizza]

Hello! I own a winter white hamster. His name is Frank and I love him very much! He's been a very healthy and happy hamster since I brought him home about eight months ago (he is still a young hamster).

I was out of town for about a week and just got home. I was hiding some treats and putting some in Frank's food bowl and he came out of his home to inspect. As he was eating from his bowl, I noticed that one of his eyes looked a little different. I picked him up and it looks like he has a tiny pimple under his left eye--kind of like a stye.

This was not something he had before I left. It's still a very small spot and does not seem to be bothering him. His eyes are not watery/crusty otherwise, and he's acting the way Frank always acts. In fact, I pulled him out of his bowl while he was stuffing his face to take these pictures--he has food crumbs all over his fur haha. He had no wet tail and was running around and drinking water.

I'm just concerned and wasn't sure if this was something other hamster owners had come across before and if I should run to the vet as soon as I can or just keep an eye on it.

[souffle]

These are not uncommon in dwarf hammies. I would try bathing the area with a saline solution ( a teaspoon salt in a pint boiled water that you have cooled totally) for a few days and see if it clears. If it gets red or bigger or he scratches at it then it should be checked by a vet who will likely give some eye drops. They often just go as quickly as they came.