A stye is a small, painful bump on the eyelid that is caused by a bacterial infection. It can be red, swollen, and tender, and it may also cause watery eyes or blurred vision.
Styes are common, and they usually go away on their own within a few days. However, there are a few things you can do to help speed up the healing process and relieve the discomfort.
Home Remedies for Styes
- Warm Compresses: Apply a warm compress to the stye for 10-15 minutes, several times a day. This will help to soothe the pain and swelling, and it may also help to draw the infection out.
- Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial agent that can help to kill the bacteria that cause styes. Apply a small amount of tea tree oil to a cotton ball and dab it on the stye.
- Honey: Honey is another natural antibacterial agent that can help to heal styes. Apply a small amount of honey to the stye and leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that can help to soothe the pain and swelling of a stye. Apply a small amount of aloe vera gel to the stye.
- Get Enough Sleep: When you’re sleep-deprived, your immune system is weakened, which can make you more susceptible to infections like styes. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
- Wash Your Hands: Wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading the bacteria that cause styes.
- Don’t Touch the Stye: Touching the stye can irritate it and make it worse.
- Avoid Wearing Eye Makeup: Eye makeup can irritate the stye and make it worse.
Medical Treatment for Styes
If your stye does not improve with home treatment, you may need to see a doctor. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria that cause the stye. In some cases, your doctor may also need to drain the stye.
Preventing Styes
There are a few things you can do to help prevent styes, including:
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Avoid touching your eyes.
- Use clean towels and washcloths.
- Don’t share eye makeup with others.
- Get enough sleep.
- Eat a healthy diet.
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if:
- Your stye is not improving with home treatment.
- Your stye is very painful.
- Your stye is causing blurred vision.
- You have multiple styes.
- You have a fever.
Stye FAQs
Q: What causes styes?
A: Styes are caused by a bacterial infection.
Q: How long do styes last?
A: Styes usually go away on their own within a few days. However, some styes may last longer.
Q: Are styes contagious?
A: Styes are not contagious. However, the bacteria that cause styes can be spread from person to person.
Q: Can styes be prevented?
A: There are a few things you can do to help prevent styes, including washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your eyes, and using clean towels and washcloths.
