A stye (also known as a “sty”) is a bump that forms on the outside area of the eyelid, which often times resembles a pimple. Eyelids tend to have a lot of oil glands, particularly around your eyelashes. Issues happen when oil buildup, dirt, or dead skin blocks the small holes in this area. If these oil glands get blocked, bacteria can thrive causing a stye to form. These can not only look physically unappealing, but they can also cause a great deal of discomfort. Symptoms of a stye include pain and swelling, soreness, itchiness, increased tear production, and a crust that has formed around the eyelid.
Fortunately, after some time styes do go away on their own.
There are some things that you can do that will help to get rid of the stye faster. First of all, make sure that your eyes and face are very clean. This includes getting rid of any crust that has formed around the eye. After you have made sure that your face is cleaned, take a clean washcloth and soak it in warm water. Make sure that you wash your hands before putting the washcloth on your stye. Keep the warm compress on the stye for between 5 and 10 minutes, then try to massage the area to get the gland to unclog and drain. However, you should never try to pop this like a pimple as this can make your problem a lot worse.
There are other treatment options that you can use.
For instance, as an alternative to the warm compress you could also use a warm tea bag. If you do use this option, it is recommended that you use a black tea bag because of its antioxidants. Tea bags can help to reduce swelling as well as having antibacterial properties to it. You could also clean the area with an eyelid scrub, which is a cleaner that is sensitive enough to use on your eye. You can use an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen to help ease any pain or discomfort that the stye may be causing. Usually you do not have to see a doctor for a stye, as these often go away on their own. There are some situations where it is recommended that you visit a doctor. If the stye doesn’t go away on its own after a few days or gets worse, you should see a doctor. You should also see a doctor if your eye hurts as well as your eyelid where the stye is. Other reasons to see a doctor include if the stye gets worse after a few days, you can’t open your eye and it’s red and swollen, you can’t see, or styes frequently return. Depending on your stye, a doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment to get rid of it or you may even need surgical intervention. When you have a stye, you should avoid wearing makeup or your contacts as these items can contain bacteria that could attribute to a stye.
(1) https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/best-stye-remedies
(2) https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/get-rid-of-stye
(3) https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-an-eye-stye-symptoms-treatment-3422082
(4) https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-an-eye-stye-symptoms-treatment-3422082
(5) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sty/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20378022