How to Get Rid of a Stye: Treatments and Home Remedies

Date: Oct-25-2016 A stye is a very common condition that affects many people. It is also known as a hordeolum.

Styes are red, swollen lumps that form along the edge of the eyelid, close to the lashes. Sometimes, a stye can occur inside or under the eyelid.

Usually, styes are a minor annoyance and only need treatment at home. There are some situations where it is important to consult a doctor, however. Read on for more information about ways to manage a stye and preventing them in the future.

Contents of this article:

Types of styes

Home treatment for styes

Medical treatment for styes

Preventing styes

Symptoms of a stye

Types of styes

Styes can affect everybody and may be treated at home easily.

There are two types of styes, depending on where they are located.

External: When the stye is located at the base of an eyelash follicle

Internal: When a stye is found in the oil glands inside or under the eyelid

A chalazion is very similar to a stye. They occur when an oil gland inside the eyelid becomes clogged with oil. Without treatment, an internal stye can turn into a chalazion.

It can be difficult to tell the difference between a chalazion and a stye. Chalazia tend to occur further away from the eyelash line than a stye. In addition, chalazia usually don't cause any discomfort.

Causes

Styes are caused by a bacterial infection of the eyelash follicle.

There are small oil glands that sit around the eyelid and drain through ducts into the eyelashes. If objects clog the duct, the oil can't drain and backs up into the glands. The gland becomes swollen, causing the stye.

Risk factors

Anyone can develop a stye in their eye, but there are certain factors that can increase the risk of developing styes.

Someone who has had a stye or chalazia in the past is more likely to get another one in the future.

Certain skin conditions, like rosacea or dermatitis, can make a person more likely to get a stye. Other medical issues, like diabetes, swelling of the eyelid, and high serum lipids can have the same effect.

Using old makeup or not completely removing eye makeup on a regular basis can also increase the risk.

Home treatment for styes

Most styes can be treated at home easily. There are over-the-counter ointments that can be used. The most effective treatment tends to be a simple warm compress, however.

Someone with a stye should soak a clean washcloth in warm water and apply to the affected area for up to 15 minutes. This should be done a few times each day until the stye is gone. If the washcloth cools off, more warm water can be added.

It is important to avoid intentionally popping the stye. This can cause the infection to spread to the rest of the eyelid.

If the stye opens on its own, people should massage the area around the opening to help drain the infected fluid. This discharge may be white or yellow, similar to pus.

Avoid wearing makeup or contact lenses until the stye has completely healed.

Medical treatment for styes

Doctors may prescribe an antibiotic ointment if the stye becomes infected or does not improve with home treatment.

The doctor may also give a steroid injection to reduce swelling or inflammation in the stye or chalazion.

If these treatments don't work or the stye starts to affect the vision, surgical removal may be needed. For this procedure, the doctor will inject numbing medicine around the affected area. They will then make a little opening in the stye to drain the infected fluid.

The doctor who would carry out surgery on a stye will usually be an ophthalmologist, or eye doctor.

Preventing styes

There are some easy ways to prevent getting a stye. People should completely wash makeup off the face and eye area every night so that it doesn't clog the follicles around the eyes.

People should be sure to replace old makeup around every 6 months to prevent bacterial growth and infection. Avoiding sharing makeup with other people can also prevent getting an infection from someone else.

A person who uses contact lenses should ensure good hand hygiene when taking out, putting in, and caring for their lenses. In addition, avoiding touching the eye area can also prevent spreading bacteria to the skin around the eyes.

Symptoms of a stye

If a stye persists after a week's treatment, it is recommended to see a doctor.

Styes usually only happen in one eye at a time, though it is possible for both eyes to have a stye.

Early symptoms of a stye are generally mild and may include slight discomfort or redness along the lash line. The affected eye may also feel irritated.

As the stye develops, other symptoms may include:

A red bump that resembles a pimple along the eyelid that is close to the eyelashes

A small yellow spot in the middle of the bump

Feeling as though something is in the eye

Light sensitivity

Eye discharge or crustiness along the eyelid

Excessive tear production

A chalazion produces similar symptoms, but the lump is hard and painless.

When to see a doctor

If the stye doesn't go away within a few days of applying warm compresses or keeps recurring despite treatment, people are recommended to see a doctor.

Other signs that it is time to see a doctor include if:

The stye gets worse very quickly

It is bleeding

It starts to affect vision

The stye spreads to the white of the eye

There is redness in the cheeks or other parts of the face

Outlook

Styes usually go away on their own within a few days up to a week. A chalazion may last a little longer, sometimes for up to a month or longer.

Though rare, recurrent styes in the same location can sometimes indicate a more serious problem. In this case, a doctor may perform a biopsy to rule out other conditions.

Written by Nicole Galan

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.