Styes are infections that form on the eyelids, which are seen as an acute and painful external inflammation.
In cases in which medical treatment or home remedies fail to eliminate them, surgery must be performed, for this they make a small cut to drain it.
Some of the main symptoms indicated by the American Academy of Ophthalmology are: a gritty sensation on the eyelid, sensitivity to light, discomfort when blinking, red eyes, stinging, burning or pain, and watery eyes.
It is recommended that when feeling any of these symptoms go to the ophthalmologist, so that he indicates the appropriate remedy, in the same way they can be treated with some home remedies, which are also very effective.
Then in the following article we will share some valuable information about styes as well as some home remedies that could help to get rid of them effectively.
What is a stye?
The stye is an inflammation that occurs in the eyelids, as a result of an infection in the sebaceous glands of the eyelashes, by the bacterium staphylococcus aureus .
It occurs in two forms, internal affecting the meibomian glands behind the eyelashes, or external affecting the sebaceous glands of the eyelashes.
These have as main causes that are produced by the proliferation of a type of bacteria, they can originate spontaneously, age or be related to poor hygiene of the eyelids, an underlying alteration or a systemic infection.
Home remedies to remove styes
Despite having prescription remedies, we also have home remedies, which are often just as effective as what the ophthalmologist prescribes.
1. Warm water and mild soap
In the treatment of the stye it is important to keep the eye very clean, to avoid an infection that can increase inflammation.
However, the eye should be washed with a mild soap, preferably neutral, and with lukewarm water, since this will leave the skin very clean without causing burning or irritation in the eye. Even after washing, a warm compress can be applied to relieve discomfort.
2. Compresses with warm water
The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises that it be done with a small clean cloth or handkerchief, submerged in warm drinking water, wrung out so that it does not drip, then placed over the eye for 5 to 10 minutes.
This can be repeated three to four times a day, which will allow the heat to help dissolve the discharge, allowing the stye to drain naturally.
3. Compresses with acacia
Acacia is a plant with various health benefits. Among its properties, acacia leaves contain saponins, a component that gently washes, as well as having antifungal properties, which makes it ideal for treating styes.
Several acacia leaves should be placed in a cup of boiling drinking water and the infusion allowed to cool. When warm, moisten a small, clean cloth and place it over the eye for 5 to 10 minutes two to three times a day.
4. Compresses with chamomile
Compresses with chamomile are applied in the same way as if they were done with warm water only. In this case, tea should be made with chamomile and once lukewarm, the compress is placed on the eye for 5 or 10 minutes.
Chamomile produces a calming effect, relieving pain and discomfort, it can be applied 2 or 3 times a day, care must be taken when using it as there are people who are allergic to chamomile, which can cause further complications.
5. Cotton with aloe vera
Aloe vera or aloe vera is another alternative to help cure stye, since it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it is capable of reducing chronic inflammation of the stye and preventing infection with bacteria.
The aloe leaf should be washed very well, then remove all the shell and only use the glass. Take a cotton ball and pass it through the glass of the aloe vera, then gently massage the eyelid and leave the gel on for 20 minutes, finally it should be removed with lukewarm water.
6. Hot tea bag
Another home option for styes is using a hot tea bag. Green tea is recommended as it helps reduce inflammation and has some antibacterial properties.
Its way of preparation is simple, for this, drinking water is boiled and the tea bag is placed in a cup, as if tea were being made to drink.
Subsequently, it is allowed to rest for a minute and then it is waited for the tea bag to cool enough to support it on the eyelid and it is placed on the eye, it is left in the area for about 5 to 10 minutes.
7. Cucumber slices
Cucumber, due to its high water content, is very refreshing, which helps to relieve eye pain, so you should wash a cucumber very well, cut a slice and apply it to the affected eye, this will help reduce inflammation and end the discomfort.
8. Gentle massage
Another therapy to combat styes consists of removing the obstruction through massages. The way to do them is for 30 to 60 seconds to avoid irritation.
It is important to always perform the massage with your eyes open and look up when massaging the lower eyelid and vice versa when massaging the upper eyelid. In this way you avoid massaging on the cornea as it can be counterproductive.
How to prevent the appearance of styes?
The most ideal way to prevent the appearance of styes is to maintain good hygiene in the face area, also keep your hands clean and avoid touching your eyes if your hands are dirty.
In this way, the appearance of any type of bacteria that causes infections is avoided and the best thing is in a simple way to do it.
Properly clean the eyelids
One way to prevent styes is to maintain hygiene, both of the eye and the area around it.
Therefore, it is essential to wash your face frequently and even more so after being in places where the presence of germs can occur, such as places with a high number of people or outdoors.
Avoid constantly touching the eye area
It is recommended, to avoid the appearance of stye, not to rub or touch your eyes excessively with your hands. Now if you get used to doing it, you must make sure that your hands are clean.
In this way, the presence of microorganisms will be reduced, washing hands with soap for 30 seconds.
Avoid sharing towels with infected people
It is important that we do not share any object for our personal use, since each person has a different PH and their hygiene methods may not be adequate.
With regard to styes, being caused by a bacterium, it can be spread by contact if a towel or some other object is used, previously used by someone who has a sty, therefore we would be very prone to spreading the staphylococcus aureus bacteria .
Avoid polluted environments and wear glasses
Being outdoors exposes our eyes to many pollutants, so wearing wide sunglasses that protect both the eye and its surrounding area is a way to prevent bacteria from entering the eye.
When using contact lenses, good hygiene should be maintained. These lenses cannot be used for many hours a day, they must be kept in a special solution that keeps them sterile.
Avoid stressful situations
Being under constant stress causes the immune system to weaken and that makes our body more prone to infections.
This is why stress can be a cause of the appearance of styes, since these are produced by an infection of the sebaceous glands of the eyelids and by being in stressful situations and having low defenses, we would be exposing ourselves to the possibility to suffer from styes.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.