An eye stye is an infection of the eyelid caused by a plugged gland. They are typically not very serious but they can cause quite a bit of pain and irritation. A stye can last for a few days or a week or two.
If you’re having an issue with one of your eyes and need to know how to treat an eye stye, keep reading.
How to Treat an Eye Stye
An eye stye is not only an eyesore, it is uncomfortable and itchy. Lucky for you, an eye stye is likely to go away on its own. In the meantime, you can try these methods to treat an eye stye at home.
Use a Warm Compress
Use a gentle, unscented soap to wash your eye. Do not push or rub too hard. After cleaning your eye, soak a clean paper towel or washcloth in warm water and put it over your eye. Leave this on for 10 to 15 minutes and repeat 3 to 4 times per day.
This will help unblock the clogged pore causing the stye and relieve some of the discomfort associated with it.
Some people advocate using warm tea bags such as black tea or chamomile to help reduce inflammation and irritation. The tannins in tea have anti-inflammatory properties that could help your healing. Although, it is not certain whether or not it is any better than a regular warm cloth compress.
Keep Your Eye Clean
Avoid using any kind of makeup or face creams near your eye. If you wear contacts, switch to glasses for a couple of days or until the stye is fully healed. Make sure whatever goes near your eye, especially your hands, is clean from contaminants.
Discard any makeup brushes or applicators you used before your stye developed. They may be contaminated and it is best to avoid them once your eye is healed.
Take a Pain Reliever
A stye is essentially a pimple or a boil in a very sensitive place. You can take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help.
Seek Medical Care
You should always wash your hands before and after touching your eyes. Try out some of the home remedies listed above like using a warm cloth compress or warm tea bags.
Additionally, do not wear makeup or contact lenses until your eye is fully healed. Take over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce the pain and discomfort. If your problem persists for more than a week, it may be time to see a doctor.
The Doctor Is In
An eye stye will likely go away on its own after a couple of days as long as you are taking care of it and are taking the right steps for how to treat an eye stye at home. However, you can get an eye stye treated quickly and easily today.
At Emerald Coast Urgent Care, we see patients 7 days a week. You can contact us or walk-in to book an appointment to get quality health care in no time at all. We are conveniently located in Destin, Panama City Beach, and Inlet Beach, FL.
