If you’ve developed a painful, irritating bump on or underneath your eyelid, it’s likely that you have a stye. Most styes go away by themselves, so all you need to do is follow some basic home treatments to help it heal faster. If your stye doesn’t go away after 10-14 days, or displays any symptoms of infection, be sure to see an eye doctor right away.
Styes form when dead skin, dirt, or oil block one of the glands around your eyelashes, allowing bacteria to grow inside it. Styes can be a common result of sharing makeup with someone else, or of touching your eyes with unwashed hands. If your stye is not painful, it is most likely a chalazion, which is also non-threatening, but will take longer to heal. Most styes should go away within 7-10 days.
Mild pain, swelling, increased tear production, soreness, itchiness, and a crust forming around the eyelid are all normal symptoms of styes. However, be sure to see your optometrist if you experience any of these symptoms:
An eyelid that is swollen shut
Increased pain with home treatment
Increased swelling after the first 2 to 3 days
An eyelid that feels hot
Thick pus or blood coming from the bump
Blistering on your eyelid
Fever or chills
Vision changes
Styes that keep coming back
If your stye doesn’t display any of the symptoms above, you can help it at home with the following home stye treatments:
Do not pop, squeeze, or touch a stye.It might seem tempting, but squeezing will release pus and may spread the infection. If your stye is inside your eyelid, your optometrist can help drain it safely.
Use a warm compress. This will help dissolve the pus and oil so the stye can drain.
Clean your eyelid with mild soap and water (tear-free baby shampoo works best)
Use a saline solution to promote drainage and break down bacterial membranes
Use a warm teabag instead of a cloth compress (black tea works best)
Take over-the-counter painkillers, like ibuprofen, or stye ointments
Avoid using makeup or wearing contact lenses (this might transfer the bacteria to the other eye)
If your stye needs to be professionally drained, or is displaying symptoms of infection, be sure to see a professional Raleigh optometry clinic for treatment. Schedule an appointment with Raleigh Eye Center today.