Stye Treatment

Last reviewed by Dr.Mary on April 14th, 2011.

A stye is a red lump or sore near the very edge of the eyelid. It is normally caused by an infection at the bottom of an eyelash – in the eyelash follicle. Staphylococcal bacterium is normally the cause. These bacteria usually live harmlessly on the skin but they can create infections if the skin is damaged in some way. An example of this would be touching mucus from your nose and then rubbing the eye – this moves staphylococcal bacteria to the eyelid.


Stye Eye Treatment

How do you get rid of a stye? Treatment of styes is normally either surgical or medical. Usually for the smallest stye, medical management is suitable. Oral antibiotics are very rarely any help in the majority of cases because this is an inflammation, not an infection of the eyelid. But, cortisone/antibiotic eye drops or ointments can be an aid to keep the count of bacteria down on the eyelid as well as decreasing any swelling of the eyelid.

One of the best ways to treat a stye is hot compress on the eyelid. For example, wrap a very hot small cloth in Saran Wrap in order to retain the heat in the cloth and then put it over your eyelid as frequently as you are able to. This will cause the lesion to “come to a head’ and drain. If draining does not happen, then surgical drainage should be considered and this can be done by a procedure in the physician’s office. You need to be assessed by your eye specialist before beginning any treatment.

Home Remedy Treatments

  • Boil one teaspoon coriander seeds together with 1 cup of water as if you were making a herbal tea. Wash the eyes with this solution three-four times a day.
  • Put 1 teaspoon of turmeric in 2 cups of water until it boils off to 1 cup. Cool and then strain 3-4 times thru a fine muslin. Use as eye drops 3-4 times each day.
  • Guava leaves, warm and place on a damp, warm, small cloth, then use as a heating pack. This will reduce the swelling, pain and redness.
  • Slit a leaf of aloe lengthwise and then place the pulpy side on the eye which is sore.
  • Put parsley which is fresh in a small bowl. Steep by pouring one cup of water that is boiling over this parsley and let it set for 10 min. Soak a clean small cloth in the hot parsley water and put the cloth on the closed eyelids for 15 minutes. Perform before bedtime. This is very good for eradicating puffiness surrounding the eyes.
  • Rub the spice clove in water and apply it over the stye to relief pain.
  • In one cup of water, liquefy 2-3 granules of alum in it. Use this as an eyewash.

Prevention

  • Do not rub your eyes. This not only irritates the eyes but let’s bacteria in. If it is necessary to touch your eyes, wash the hands first.
  • Replace any eye makeup, especially mascara, at least once every 6 months. Makeup is a breeding ground for bacteria.
  • Treat any inflammation or infection promptly. When you do get a stye, wash the eyelids regularly with a bit of baby shampoo which is mixed in warm water.

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