It’s happening again. Maybe you didn’t get completely rid of it last time. But that annoying stye is back. You really don’t want to go back to the doctor–isn’t there something you can do at home to get rid of it? Yes, there are plenty of things you can try at home!
A stye, also known as a hordeolum, is a bump that develops on the eyelid or at the base of the eyelashes which is usually caused by a bacterial infection. A chalazion may also develop if the stye doesn’t resolve. Your eyelids have lots of tiny oil glands, especially around the eyelashes. Dead skin, dirt, or oil buildup can clog or block these small holes. When a gland is blocked, bacteria can grow inside and cause a stye or chalazion to develop.
These conditions usually go away on their own within 7 to 10 days. Symptoms include pain, swelling, increased tear production, a crust that forms around the eyelid, soreness, and itchiness.
Here are some things to try at home to speed up the healing process for a stye or a chalazion:
- Use a warm compress. Soak a clean washcloth in hot water and hold it to your eyelid for 10–15 minutes at a time, 3–5 times a day. Keep the cloth warm by soaking it in hot water often. This warm compress helps the clogged oil gland to open and drain. You can help the gland clear itself by gently massaging around the area with your clean finger.
- Clean your eyelid with mild soap and water. Avoid harsh, synthetic chemicals when cleaning the eye area. Instead, ingredients should be hypoallergenic and non irritating.The skin around the eyes is much thinner than the rest of your face, so be very careful with products you apply to your eye area. Many professionals recommend OCuSOFT to cleanse eyelids because it’s been shown to be effective against bacteria commonly found on the eyelid. Its formula effectively kills seven different strains of bacteria. You can also choose a tear-free baby shampoo and mix it with a bit of warm water. Use it with a cotton swab or clean washcloth to gently wipe off your eyelids. You can do this every day until the infection is gone. Cleaning your eyelids also helps prevent future infections. Another option is to use a saline solution. It can help promote drainage and break down bacterial membranes.
- Use a warm tea bag. Instead of using a warm cloth compress, you can use a warm tea bag. Black tea works best because it helps reduce swelling and has some antibacterial properties. Add boiled water to a mug, then drop a tea bag in it, just as if you were making tea to drink. Let the tea steep for about 1 minute. Wait until the tea bag cools enough to place over your eye, then keep it on your eye for about 5 to 10 minutes. Use a separate tea bag for each eye to avoid transferring any infection.
- Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. This may help relieve any inflammation caused by the infection.
- Avoid wearing eye makeup and contact lenses. You may get some relief from inflammation by avoiding these. While you’re at it, make sure your contact lenses are completely clean or new to avoid reinfection. And throw out any old eye makeup for the same reason. In fact, you may want to buy all new eye makeup to avoid reinfection after your stye or chalazion heals.
- Massage the area. This will promote drainage of infection from the infected gland. Make sure your hands are clean before you touch any of the area, and wash them again right after to avoid spreading any infection.
- Try an over-the-counter treatment. You can try some ointments that are available at your pharmacy. To use these OTC ointments, pull out the lid of the affected eye–with clean hands–and apply about a quarter-inch of ointment inside the eyelid.
Should you pop or squeeze a stye or chalazion?
Don’t pop or squeeze these AT ALL. The only touching you should do is a mild massage with clean hands. It might seem tempting, but squeezing will release pus and may spread the infection. See a doctor if the stye is on the inside of your eyelid. Your doctor may drain the stye in their office.
When should you see a doctor?
You should see your doctor if:
- A stye doesn’t get better after a few days or if it gets worse.
- Your eye (not just your eyelid) hurts a lot.
- You can’t see well.
- Your eyelid swells, turns very red, and won’t open all the way.
- Your stye is excessively painful.
- Your stye won’t go away with OTC treatment.
Avoid using topical steroids for your stye. They may cause side effects. Make sure that any product that you use is made to be used in or on the eye. Also, there is little evidence that antibiotic eye drops work for external styes. Using the above-mentioned methods should really help that nasty bump on your eyelid to heal.
Written by Joanne Myers