Stys in Eyes - Cures and Causes of Eyelid Sty

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By Disabled World - 2008-11-22
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What is an Eye Sty

Hordeolum is the medical term for a sty, or stye, on the upper or lower eyelid.

A sty is caused by an acute infection (commonly staphylococcal bacteria) or inflammation of the secretory glands of the eyelids. Often, the lump (sty) appears with a white or yellow spot that looks much like a large hard pimple.

Eye stys often appear on one or both eyelids at the same time due to cross infection. Prevent re-infection or cross-infection (transferring the problem from one eye to the other), by not rubbing your eyes and face. Like most infections, dead white blood cells accumulate and the resulting pus causes the swelling and susequent pain.

Internal Sty - An internal sty occurrs on the underside of the eyelid and causes painful swelling. The internal sty may disappear completely once the infection is gone, however it can leave a small fluid filled cyst that may have to be opened and drained by a doctor.

External Sty - An external sty starts off as a small pimple next to an eyelash. It then turns into a painful swelling that can last for several days. Most external stys are short-lived.

Styes and chalazia are usually harmless and rarely affect your eyeball or your eyesight. They can occur at any age and tend to periodically recur.

What Causes an Eye Sty

A sty can form due to Inflammatory diseases of the eyelid, like blepharitis, meibomitis, and rosacea. Poor eyelid hygiene, improper removal of eye makeup, hormonal changes, and stress have also been known to cause Styes.

How to get rid of a Sty on your Eyes

Do not squeeze the sty as it will only make it worse. Let it burst on its own.

Take real gold, such as a ring, and rub it on the sty to clear it up.

Use alum water to wash your eyes and elief the sty. To prepare, mix 2 to 3 granules of alum in a cup of water.

Let a teabag steep in warm water and place the teabag over the eye.

Try using a warm compress on the sty for 5 minutes 4 times a day.

Ask your chemist or pharmacist for Golden Eye Ointment or Broline eye ointment  for eye sty's

If stys recur, your doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic. Doctors also often advise patients to stop eating eggs and cheese when they have styes.

Make paste with potato, spread it on a cloth and apply it externally on inflamed eyes to reduce swelling.

Try taking echinacea or anti histamines.

Avoid using perfumed or moisturising soaps for the time being as these may aggrevate the sty.

Boil 1 tsp of coriander seeds in a cup of water and use this preparation to wash the eyes 3 to 4 times a day.