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Eye Stye Treatment - Home Remedies To Get Rid of Stye

Alternative names :- Eye sty, Hordeolum and Stye

What is eye stye?

A eye stye is a small lump in the eyelid caused by obstruction of an oil producing or meibomian gland.  Eye stye may occur in the upper or lower lids, causing redness, swelling and soreness in some cases. Styes are usually harmless and will go away after several days on their own as your body fights the infection. More than one Stye can occur at one time because the bacteria may spread to another follicle. Lancing a Stye that is red and inflamed is not recommended as this may spread infection.

Eye Stye symptoms Redness accompanied by slight pain. Swollen, red, tender upper or lower eyelid. Tearing of the eye. Sensitivity to light. Frequent watering in the affected eye. Discomfort when blinking.

Eye Stye causes

The cause of a stye is often unknown, but it may develop from:

• Stye are caused by staphylococcal bacteria. This bacterium is often found in the nose, and it's easily transferred to the eye by rubbing first your nose, then your eye.
• Rubbing the eyes, which irritates the oil glands. Bacteria that are present on your hand may cause the infection.
• Using eyeliner or other eye products can irritate the eye. If the products are contaminated with bacteria, an infection may develop.

Treatment for Eye styes

Treatment is usually either medical or surgical. Particularly for small ones, medical treatment may be advisable. Oral antibiotics are rarely helpful in most cases since this is an inflammation of the gland, not an infection. However, antibiotic/cortisone drops or ointment can be helpful to keep the bacteria count of the eyelid down and decrease the swelling of the eyelid. The best home treatment for eye stye is to apply warm compresses for several minutes 3 to 4 times daily.

Home remedies for eye stye

• An eyebath of eyebright or camomile may reduce inflammation.
• Boil a handful of acacia leaves in two cups of water to make a decoction and apply it as compress on the eyelids.
• The key to preventing styes is scrupulous is scrupulous hygiene.  Make sure each member of the household uses his own clean face flannel and does not share one with anyone else. Do not use proprietary eyebaths, as these are not sterile and can contaminate the tears, which are the best solution for washing the eyes.
• Guava leaves, warmed and placed on a warm damp cloth, and then used as a compress, reduce the redness, pain and swelling.
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric in 2 cups of water until it reduces in half. Cool and strain 4-5 times through a fine muslin. Apply as eye drops 3-4 times a day.
• DO NOT wear your contact lenses while you have a stye.