Most of us have experienced a stye, it is a common condition seen in the primary and urgent care settings. The eyelid has a lot of oil and sweat glands, making sure eyes don’t become too dry. Styes occur when these areas become infected with bacteria.
Prompt treatment to avoid complications of styes is important as they could lead to larger infections such as cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection, or a chalazion, a larger lump on the eyelid. Styes typically go away on their own in a week or two, however, there are remedies that can help to get rid of a stye quickly to avoid further progression of infection and to prevent future styes. In this article, we will dive into the ways to get rid of a stye quickly and natural methods to avoid future stye formation.
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What Is a Stye?
A stye, also known as a hordeolum, is a small painful bump typically near the edge of an eyelid caused by an infection of the oil glands or hair follicles. They may be on the inner eyelid (internal hordeolum) or the outside of the eyelid (external hordeolum), causing redness, swelling, and pain with touch.
Styes may cause other symptoms, including:
- A scratchy sensation in the eye
- Photosensitivity
- Eyelid pain
- Tearing of the eye
- Eye crusting
The exact incidence of styes is unknown however, 90-95% of the time, styes are caused by Staphylococcus aureus, with Staphylococcus epidermidis being the second most common cause. Several things can increase your chances of getting a stye, such as:
- Poor eye hygiene
- Frequent eye touching or rubbing
- Using old or contaminated eye makeup
- Wearing contact lenses
- Sharing make-up with others
- Having certain eye conditions such as blepharitis
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Having skin conditions such as rosacea
- Immunosuppressive conditions such as diabetes
- Increased stress
Styes are diagnosed clinically with an examination. If a patient experiences frequent styes, providers may investigate further into potential causes.
Natural Approaches to Treating a Stye
Natural treatment options should be utilized initially at the onset of a stye.
- Warm compresses: The gold standard treatment is applying hot or warm compresses to help drain the eye. This may facilitate drainage by softening the granuloma (a soft nodule). It is recommended to apply compresses for 5-10 minutes several times daily until the stye resolves.
- Proper Eyelid Hygiene: Proper hygiene is key for prevention and to avoid worsening of infection progression. Cleansing with gentle soap, baby shampoo (tear-free), or eyelid wipes will help keep the area clean and may promote drainage by clearing debris from the clogged duct.
- Avoid: squeezing or popping the stye is not recommended, and touching the area should be avoided. Prior contacts worn should be thrown away, and new contacts should not be worn until the stye resolves. Makeup should be avoided during treatment as well.
- Diet and Lifestyle Considerations: Adopting a balanced diet rich in nutrients that supports overall health supports immune function and promotes faster healing.
- Zinc is essential in immune function and wound healing.
- Vitamin C plays a vital role in skin health and immunity.
- Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and may help decrease eyelid inflammation.
- Vitamin A supports eye health as well as the immune system.
- Processed foods hinder the body’s ability to fight off infections and should be limited.
- Vitamin D regulates immune responses. Supplementation is important, especially for those who do not receive adequate sunlight.
Pharmaceutical and Over-the-Counter Approaches
Over-the-Counter
There are several over-the-counter treatments for styes that may be trialed, such as eyelid cleansers or wipes to keep the area clean and limit the spread of infection. These products are specifically for eyelid hygiene.
- Lubricating eye drops can help relieve irritating symptoms that styes tend to cause, providing some temporary relief and more comfort. Pain relievers such as NSAIDs or acetaminophen may also be considered.
- Those with a history of allergies and experiencing itchy eyes may consider using allergy eye drops to limit the amount of rubbing and inflammation.
- Antibiotic eye ointments may be necessary if initial treatment measures do not resolve styes. Recent study findings show that an antibiotic is unlikely to resolve a hordeolum or chalazion, even though it's frequently prescribed. some text
- Antibiotics may be recommended for persistent styes or if there are signs of worsening infection. Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is most commonly prescribed and offers the added benefit of lubrication. Oral or systemic antibiotics may be necessary if there are signs of more severe infections, such as cellulitis.
Minor Medical Procedures
Medical procedures such as lancing or draining of styes may be performed by a qualified healthcare professional, ophthalmologist, or optometrist if the stye is persistent, large, increasingly bothersome, or has a large collection of pus.
An incision and drainage allow pus to drain, relieving pressure. It is vital that healthcare providers perform these procedures in a sterile environment. If not done properly, they could worsen the infection.
Preventing Styes in the Future
Good eye hygiene may prevent styes. This includes washing hands thoroughly before touching or rubbing the eyes. Old cosmetics should not be used, and no makeup should be shared among individuals. All makeup should be washed off thoroughly before bedtime.
Contact lens users should wash their hands thoroughly before removing or placing lenses in their eyes and care for and wash their lenses regularly.
Maintaining health through a Mediterranean diet, obtaining adequate sleep, regular exercise, and managing stress supports immune function. These areas aid the body in its ability to fight off infection, like styes.
An inflammatory diet promotes chronic inflammation, weakening the immune system. It is important to incorporate foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats, and adequate fiber.
Chronic stress can weaken the immune system. Stress management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, nature walks, and practicing mindfulness can help improve the mind-body connection.
Immune supporting supplements and herbs should be considered to be part of a daily routine, such as zinc, Vitamin C, probiotics and Vitamin D. Boosting immunity can help prevent future styes by enhancing the body’s ability to fight infections, decrease inflammation, and promote healing.
When to See a Doctor
You should consult a healthcare professional when initial natural treatments do not resolve symptoms, if they have been present for at least 2 weeks, or if symptoms worsen. Immediate attention is recommended for worsening redness, pain, changes in vision, or the onset of fevers.
Orbital cellulitis is a severe infection that affects the tissues within the eye socket. It is a medical emergency that requires IV antibiotics and sometimes surgical drainage to prevent future complications like vision loss. Although these severe infections are rare, they are more prevalent in individuals who are more prone to infections, such as those taking immunosuppressants or diabetics.
Recurring styes can indicate underlying medical issues such as impaired blood sugar control or diabetes. A root-cause approach by a functional medicine provider is recommended.
Those with blepharitis, or eyelid inflammation, may experience more frequent styes or eye issues. These individuals should follow up with an eye specialist to avoid future eye infections in the future.
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Key Takeaways
- Effective treatment for a stye involves home remedies most of the time. Warm compresses should be prioritized.
- It is important to practice good eyelid hygiene and avoid touching the eye. Over-the-counter medications may help alleviate discomfort and symptoms.
- Early interventions are important to prevent the spread of bacterial infections, as this may lead to serious infections requiring antibiotics or surgical interventions.
- Seeking medical attention is important for recurrent styes, as underlying issues may contribute to the condition's cause. Working with a functional medicine provider may lead to proper diagnoses and personalized treatment plans to prevent future complications.
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