Styes are often cured at home but in case it does not fade away in 48 hours and the discomfort increases, one should consult an ophthalmologist. In times when one’s eye is infected with stye, here’s what you should and shouldn’t do
A stye is a common eye condition that is caused by an infection of the oil glands in the eyelids where it appears as a small, painful lump on the edge of the eyelid and it can cause redness, swelling and discomfort. A stye is formed when a follicle on the eyelid gets infected or blocked and it might look like a pimple however, it should never be popped like one.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Uma Malliah, Senior Consultant, Opthalmology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, suggested what you should do –
Clean the affected area: Use a clean, warm, damp washcloth to gently clean the affected area. This will help to remove any debris or crust that may be causing irritation.
Apply a warm compress: Apply a warm compress to the affected eye for 10-15 minutes several times a day. This will help to relieve the discomfort and encourage the stye to drain.
Keep your hands clean: Make sure to wash your hands regularly, especially before touching your eyes.
Use over-the-counter pain relievers: If you experience pain or discomfort, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
According to her, here’s what you shouldn’t do –
Squeeze or pop the stye: It is important to avoid squeezing or popping the stye, as this can cause the infection to spread or worsen.
Wear contact lenses: It is best to avoid wearing contact lenses while you have a stye, as this can cause further irritation to the eye.
Share personal items: Do not share personal items, such as towels or washcloths, with others as this can spread the infection.
Use eye makeup: Avoid using eye makeup while you have a stye, as this can cause further irritation and may also spread the infection.
If your stye does not improve after a few days of at-home care or if it becomes more painful, it is important to see a doctor. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or other treatments to help clear up the infection.
Dr Omkar Telang, Professor and Head Department of Ophthalmology at KJ Somaiya Medical College and Research Centre, described stye as an infammation of the eye lash follicle and shared, “It can be very painful. You should take pain killer if the pain is severe. Put antibiotic eyedrops and apply antibiotic eye ointment as suggested by the ophthalmologist. Also, hot fomentation of the affected eye helps in reducing the pain and swelling associated with the stye. You should avoid rubbing of the eyes. Eye make up whenever used, needs to be removed properly so as to avoid getting stye or in cases of recurring styes. Lid hygiene is very important to prevent recurrent stye formation.”
