Ever had a little red bump on your eyelid? If so, you’ve probably had an eye stye and are fully aware of what an annoyance it can be. While tender, these small red bumps near the edge of the eyelid are harmless and typically heal on their own in about a week. [1] But what is an eye stye and how can one find stye eye relief fast? Fortunately, the team at Focus Labs is here to help.
What Is a Stye in the Eye?
An eye stye, also known as a hordeolum, is a small red bump, similar to a pimple that forms on the outer edge of the eyelid. Eye styes are not directly contagious, but the bacteria in the pus can cause other areas of skin to break out. Symptoms can include crusting around the eyelid, increased tear production, itchiness, pain, soreness and/or swelling. With simple home treatment, styes typically heal in 7 to 10 days, with swelling lasting about three days.
If your stye is internal, grows in size, becomes more painful, doesn’t clear up in a few days or begins to affect your vision, you should see a doctor. In addition, if you’ve dealt with recurring styes, it’s important that you also seek medical help. This may be a sign of an underlying condition like blepharitis, cellulitis or conjunctivitis.
If your eye stye is not painful, you may have a chalazion. This can sometimes develop after you’ve had a stye and requires similar treatment. You should see an eye doctor if you believe you have a chalazion, especially if it’s blocking your vision or if you’ve had a chalazion in the past.
What Causes a Stye in the Eye?
The human eyelid has many tiny oil glands, especially around the eyelashes. These glands, known as meibomian glands, secrete oil which then coats the surface of our eyes, keeping the water in our tears from evaporating or drying out. But dead skin, dirt and/or oil can clog or even block these glands. This can cause bacteria to grow and cause an eye stye to develop. While styes usually go away on their own, there are ways to alleviate symptoms and speed up the healing process. [3]
How to Get Rid of a Stye in Your Eye
First and foremost, if you’re experiencing symptoms beyond the realm of a normal eye stye, you should seek medical treatment. A doctor can prescribe an antibiotic cream for bacterial infections. They may also give you a steroid shot to reduce swelling and inflammation. If you have an internal stye or it’s affecting your vision, your doctor may also recommend draining it. [3]
Use A Warm Compress
A warm, moist compress is one of the most effective ways to treat an eye stye. The warmth brings the pus to the surface, dissolving the pus and oil to help the stye drain naturally. Simply wet a clean washcloth with warm (not hot) water. Then wring the cloth out and place it gently over your eye for 5 to 10 minutes. Make sure you don’t squeeze or puncture the eye stye. Repeat three to four times daily.
Avoid Eye Irritants
While you have an eye stye, you'll want to avoid any potential eye irritants.
Abstain from wearing makeup which can irritate and even delay the healing process. Makeup, tools and brushes can transfer bacteria and spread your infection to the other eye. Wash reusable makeup brushes regularly and throw out eye products that are past their expiration date.
If you wear contact lenses, opt for your glasses until the eye stye heals. Bacteria from the stye can get onto your contacts and spread the infection. Be sure to change to a new set of contact lenses once your stye heals to avoid reinfection.
Keep Your Eyelids Clean
When you have an eye stye, regularly cleaning your eyelids is important to aid in the healing process. There are several products on the market that can help with eyelid hygiene, because the skin around the eyes is thinner, you'll need to be extremely careful with the products you use.
ComfortClear eyelid wipes have been designed to gently help remove debris from eyelids and lashes. The no-rinse formula paraben, alcohol, and fragrance-free, which makes them is ideal for cleansing sensitive skin around the eyes. Plus, Comfortclear Lid Wipes can also be used as a warm compress.
Support eye health with the help of Focus Labs
We take great pride in providing safe and innovative products that help support eye health and improve quality of life. Our selection of eye care products was created to combat the symptoms of eye styes. Have a question or need additional information regarding our eyelid wipes or other eye products? Shop for Comfort Clear Eyelid Wipes to help prevent and ease the symptoms of eye styes today!
Citations:
- How Long Do Styes Last? https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/how-long-does-a-stye-last
- Stye Treatment, Get Rid of a Stye Fast https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/how-to-get-rid-of-a-stye.htm
- What Are Chalazia & Styes? https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-are-chalazia-styes
