Styes (also spelled sties) are small dots or sores on the eyelids that are caused by bacterial infections. The bacteria normally responsible are called Staphylococcus aureus (usually found in the nose). The hair follicles or pores on your eyelids get clogged and they cause a pimple like painful growth on the eyelid.
The symptoms produced by the stye include pain, swelling, redness and irritation near the swollen area. Your eyes may water and become sensitive to light.
The way to prevent a stye from emerging on your eye lid is simple hygiene. Wash hands properly and regularly. The bacterium that causes sties, S. aureus is usually commonly found on the human body and so if you do not practice proper hygiene before touching your face you may put yourself at risk of developing styes. If you do pick your nose ensure you wash your hands for that would be the fastest way to create stye.
The best way to getting rid of the stye is to warm a pot of water, add some salt and dampen a clean wash cloth and clean the infected area for 10-15 minutes. Leave the washcloth on the eye for sometime so that the warmth seeps into the stye and helps clear it up. It may take a while but make sure you do not pinch or prick the stye, let it go away on its own or you risk causing a secondary infection and the growth of more styes.
There are some over the counter medicines that can help treat styes and also stop their spread. Common anti-biotic applications like Neosporin and even special sty patches that you apply to the infected area that can reduce the infection faster. If the sty remains for more than a week then there are some over the counter antibiotic ointments and drops that will help get rid of the stye. A doctor or pharmacist can help you with the type of drops to be used. If you constantly get styes it’s best if you see a doctor as secondary bacterial infections like blepharitis maybe the actual cause of aggravation. Usually a simple prescription of antibiotics will help remove the aggravation.
Some people may want a quick solution to this blimp on the eyelid which is possible if you have a nurse or attendant pop it. They can do it with sterilized equipment that will reduce the risk of secondary infections.
Disclaimer: The author is not a medical doctor, optician, ophthalmologist or any other medical professional, this article has been compiled using a variety of internet reference sources and while every effort has been made to ensure accuracy this cannot be guaranteed. No preference for product or brand is inferred or intended and the contents of this article are not to be used in whole or in part to inform a decision regarding any aspect of contact lens use.
