Have you ever woken up with a red and puffy eye? Did you think it was just due to a bad night’s sleep? It may be something more. It could be a condition known as an eye sty.
What Is An Eye Sty?
An eye sty can either be external or internal. The term for an external eye sty is called a hordeolum. When the apocrine sweat glands or the sebaceous glands at the base of the eyelash become infected, an external sty can form on the outside of the eyelid which looks like a small red bump. An internal eye sty happens when the meibomian sebaceous glands become infected. These glands are on the lining of the inside of the eyelid. A small red bump also forms with an internal sty, only the bump is underneath the eyelid.
What Causes An Eye Sty?
An eye sty happens when the oil glands located at the base of the eyelash become blocked. A sty can happen to people of any age, but are very common in infants. A sty can be caused by a variety of situations. Sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, rubbing of the eyes, and poor hygiene can all cause a sty to form. Another thing that can cause the formation of an eye sty is sharing a wash cloth or towel with a person who already has a sty. If a person in your household has an eye sty, have them use a separate towel.
Symptoms Of An Eye Sty
The symptoms of an eye sty are fairly easy to recognize. The first indication of an eye sty is a little yellow spot that is in the middle of a bump near the base of the eyelashes. Pus accumulates in this bump and makes the area red and a little swollen. Aside from bumps, redness, and swelling, other signs of an eye sty include:
- Pain – The more pus that accumulates in the bump, the more painful it becomes.
- Tender to the touch
- Formation of crust along the eyelid margins
- Burning sensation in the eye
- The eyelid appears droopy
- The eyeball feels scratchy
- Blurred vision
- A discharge of mucous in the eye
- Eye irritation
- Sensitivity to light
- Uncomfortable feeling when the eye blinks
- Feeling like something (dust, eyelash, etc.) is in the eye
Eye Sty Home Remedies
An eye sty can form quickly and typically lasts for seven to ten days without treatment. With treatment, a sty can last as short as four days. There are ways of treating an eye sty at home, but there is one thing to keep in mind. Never try to drain the pus from a sty by yourself. If you puncture or rupture the sty, you can risk serious infection. If you have severe pain from pus accumulation, have it drained by a doctor. It’s also a good idea to refrain from wearing makeup, lotion, and contact lenses when you have a sty. These things will irritate it further and possibly spread the infection. Now, onto the treatment options.
Mild Soap And Water
If the eye has a layer of crust over it due to mucous discharge that has dried over night, you can use regular tap water and a mild soap. Rinse the eye with water, and use a gentle, nonirritating soap to clear away the crust. A baby shampoo is a great option to use, because it won’t sting or burn the eyes if the soap get in them.
Coriander Seed Eye Wash
One way you can treat an eye sty at home is to use coriander seeds. Boil one cup of water, then add one teaspoon of coriander seeds to it. Let the seeds boil in the water for a few minutes, then use this solution to wash the eyes. You can do this three or four time a day if you’d like. An easy way to apply this eye wash is to use a cotton ball. Soak a cotton ball in the solution, and place it over the eye. You can either leave the cotton ball on the eye for a few minutes, or you can squeeze the solution onto the eye, allowing the solution to pass over the area of the sty.
Parsley Eye Cloths
Bring one cup of water to a boil, and add in a handful of fresh parsley. Steep the parsley for ten minutes, then soak a clean cloth in the solution. Place the cloth over your closed eye and let it sit for 15 minutes. You can do this several times a day. The parsley water does a great job of diminishing puffiness and swelling.
Overnight Remedy Using Tea Bags
Dampen a normal teabag, preferably non-herbal, and place it over the affected eye. Lightly secure it to your eye to keep it in place and leave it on overnight. A reduction of swelling can be the result of using this remedy.
An eye sty can be annoying and sometimes quite painful. The eye sty home remedies listed above can help you cope with the swelling and pain. If you have a sty that is causing you more pain or discomfort than you’d like, don’t hesitate to give your doctor a call. Especially if the sty has ruptured or has been popped in any way.
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