About Sties

The first indication that something is wrong is the sensation that something is in your eye. You might try to wash it out, but that doesn't help your eye to feel better. You might notice that your eye keeps tearing up and becomes watery. You may also become sensitive to lights. Your eye may feel as if there is dust in it because it feels scratchy. If you have never had a sty before, you should consult with your eye doctor to be sure that it isn't something more serious. Fortunately, sties tend to resolve within 7 to 10 days. They aren't a serious eye ailment, but they do tend to reoccur. Some sties refuse to fade away and can persist for months.

Identification

• A sty, also known as a hordeolum, is red and painful. A sty is a small abscess that occurs on the upper or lower area of the eyelid. It is an oil gland that has become plugged up with bacteria. Sties are caused by the staphylococcal bacteria, which generally live in the nose and mouth. A sty resembles a small boil or a pimple that is filled with pus. You might feel some discomfort when you close your eyes or as you blink. Your eye may also feel extra sensitive and easily irritated. There will be inflammation in the eyelid. A sty will often feel hot, tender and sensitive to touch.

Types

• If more than one sty occurs at a time, this can lead to a condition called blepharitis, which causes a general swelling of the entire eyelid. The lid margins (the area where the eyelashes grow) are affected. These small oil glands become filled with bacteria, which cause very itchy, irritated and painful eyelids. It can make the person feel self-conscious because the inflammation is quite obvious. Fortunately, this condition does not cause any permanent damage to the eyes. Blepharitis is stubborn and is not easy to treat. Your physician may prescribe an antibiotic ointment, antibiotic cream or eyedrops to help clear it up.

Prevention/Solution

• If you have only one sty, there are things that you can do that may make it rupture faster. Soak a clean towel or cloth in warm water. Wring most of the water out. Apply it to the sty for at least 10 minutes. Continue to do this four or five times each day until the sty comes to a point. Warm compresses will help to open the plugged gland and to drain the sty.
  An alternative treatment that people have tried is to apply a warm potato to the eye. This method is usually tried after warm water compresses are not effective. A warm potato retains heat longer than a warm washcloth.
  Another common home remedy is to soak a tea bag in warm water. Make sure the tea bag is warm, not hot. Press the teabag to the sty but not to the entire eye. Continue to do this for 10 minutes. Some people swear that this method helps to get rid of the sty in half the time it would normally take. If home remedies fail to treat the sty, then contact your physician. He may prescribe oral antibiotics or antibiotic drops that can help get rid of the infection.

Considerations

• You are inviting a sty if you wear old cosmetics or if you forget to wash off your eye makeup. Those who wear contact lenses are also at risk if they don't thoroughly wash their hands. Always disinfect contact lenses before putting them in. To prevent another sty from popping up, there are certain things that you can do. Never squeeze the puss out of an abscess. You could easily spread the infection to other areas of the eye. Never try to poke the sty with a needle or pin. This can also spread the bacteria. This may pop the abscess immediately, but you will most likely have new sties to treat. Do not rub your eyes. Constantly washing or rinsing your eye out will make the irritation feel worse. Women should avoid wearing eye makeup until the sty clears up. Covering the sty with eyeliner or eye shadow will only keep the bacteria inside. Sties don't usually cause any harm, and it is rare that they would cause a vision problem.

Warning

• Consult your physician if the sty has enlarged so much that you are having vision problems. You may also need to visit your physician if you develop redness and inflammation that has spread beyond the eyelid and causes your face or cheek to swell up. Always consult your physician if the inflammation does not subside within a couple of weeks. Your sty may need more aggressive treatment such as eyedrops with antibiotics or steroids. Sties that cannot be treated with self-care methods may require a surgical incision to drain the abscess.