Eye Stye Treatment: Remedies and Tips to Get Rid of Eye Stye

A general bacterial infection at the edge of the eyelid, affecting the hair follicle of an eyelash is called an Eye Stye. It has the appearance of a boil or a pimple. This infection leads to the hair follicles getting blocked and swollen resulting in pain, itching and discomfort. When one of the very small glands situated at the base of the eyelash gets infected with staphylococcal bacteria, it causes an eye stye. This infection normally spreads from one hair shaft to another, during rubbing to get relief from constant itching.

An eye stye normally takes 3 to 7 days to develop. While the inflammation may block vision, an eye stye does not impair vision. The early symptoms of an eye stye are: pain, inflammation of the eye or eyelid, difficulty in blinking, light sensitivity, blurred vision accompanied by redness of the eye. Sometimes tearing of the eyelid may also happen. Generally, an eye stye starts with a small pimple. Within the next few days, it gets filled with pus and consequently bursts and heals on its own with the draining of infection. As soon as pressure is relieved, there is marked relief from pain and inflammation.

This disease condition is believed to be caused by some debility in the system. It can even be caused due to blockage of glands by dirt or refraction error. It is advisable to seek a professional medical opinion, to avoid any wrong diagnosis between a stye and a chalazion. Chalazion is a lump, formed on the eyelid, caused by non-bacterial infection. An examination of the eyelid is needed to know the cause of the infection.

Causes of Eye Styes

While the exact cause of a stye is not known, it may develop from the following:

• When we use our hands to rub our eyes, we not only irritate the oil glands but the bacteria from our hands get transferred.
• We may cause eye irritation and help in bacteria to be transmitted if the mascara, eye-liner and other eye products that we use are contaminated.
• When the pores of the oil glands are clogged. This blockage prevents the pore from draining resulting in swelling.

Symptoms of Eye Styes

• Eyes turning red accompanied by slight pain and tenderness.
• Inflammation in some portion of the eye that resembles a lump.
• Tearing of the eye
• Irritation when blinking
• Sensitivity and aversion to light
• Pain in the eye or eyelid aggravated by touch
• Hazy vision of the affected eye

Treatment of Eye Styes

• Warm compress which you need to hold for several minutes on the affected eye. Repeat this 3 to 4 times daily.
• Timely and regular application of the prescribed antibiotic drop helps to combat infection.
• If the stye does not respond to treatment, surgical drainage may be advisable.