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Introduction
If you've ever had a stye on your eyelid, you know they can be quite painful. Styes will usually heal on their own in time, but there are things you can do that may speed up the process and relieve some of the discomfort. Read on for more information on how to get rid of styes.
A stye forms as the result of a bacterial infection, often in an oil gland along the edge of the upper or lower eyelid. The resulting red, swollen bump can be quite painful. Styes typically swell for about three days before they burst, drain and then eventually heal. In the meantime, there are some home remedies for treating styes that can be quite effective to relieve symptoms, which can include pain and discomfort in the area of the stye, swelling and even sensitivity to light. -
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How to Treat a Stye at Home
Former R.N. Beverly Bitterman explains in this video how to treat a stye. Bitterman explains what a stye is, how it forms and how it can be treat ... read moreFormer R.N. Beverly Bitterman explains in this video how to treat a stye. Bitterman explains what a stye is, how it forms and how it can be treated at home. She recommends applying a warm compress to the stye as soon as possible to help relieve the inflammation and the discomfort that often accompanies it.
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Step 1: At Home Treatment
A majority of styes can be treated at home, though there are some absolute "Dos" and "Don'ts" you should know. Among the recommendations:
Do:- Apply warm, wet compresses several times a day to the affected area
- Apply an over-the-counter ointment or solution on the stye
- Keep the area clean by washing with a mild soap
- Be sure to wash your hands frequently after treating your eye
Do not:
- Wear eye makeup while you have a stye
- Wear contact lenses while you have a stye
- Attempt to squeeze the stye; this could lead to further complications
Hygiene is an absolute must if you have a stye. Be sure to wash your hands and keep the area around your stye as clean as possible to prevent further inflammation to your eyelid and possibly your eye. -
Step 2: When to See a Doctor
- If your stye has not drained and healed within one week, you should make an appointment to see an eye doctor. Often, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic ointment or cream that will promote healing. In some cases, the doctor will need to lance the stye to help it drain.
- If you notice swelling and redness in the area near the stye, or especially in the cheek area or elsewhere on the face, seek medical care.
In some cases, more than one stye will form on the eyelid. If this happens, it can lead to severe discomfort and inflammation. This condition is known as blepharitis and will likely require a trip to your doctor's office for treatment.
What does treatment entail? That depends largely on the severity of the stye itself. A doctor may prescribe antibiotic ointment or, if the stye is particularly large or inflamed, he or she may decide to lance it and allow it to drain and thus, relieve the discomfort. -
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Conclusion
Styes can form on the eyelids as a result of a bacterial infection. They may become inflamed and very tender. By applying warm compresses and keeping the area as clean as possible, you should be rid of your stye within a few days. If not, a visit to an eye doctor is recommended. You may be given antibiotic creams or ointments to apply to the stye and surrounding eyelid area for a period of several days, until the inflammation clears up.
