How To Get Rid Of A Stye 26 Home Remedies And Precautions

Styes, also known as hordeolums, result from the inflammation of the oil glands. When the tiny glands that border the eyelid become clogged, a stye can form. They’re filled with pus. They can also develop on the inside of the eyelid. This causes discomfort, such as pain, burning, and itching. It also looks quite unattractive. Styes are extremely common and usually occur at least once in one’s life. However, there is no need to be concerned because this eye condition is easily treatable. Let’s look at the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for an eye stye at home in this article. Keep reading!

Signs And Symptoms Of An Eye Stye

Some of the signs and symptoms of an eye stye are:

Swelling of the eyes Burning sensation Pain in the eyes Blurred vision Eye tenderness and redness Itching Crustiness or discharge around the affected eye Sensitivity to light A feeling of having something in the eye, even when it is clear

Sometimes, the red bump is filled with pus which, if ruptured, can spread the infection. Sometimes, it may also bleed. So, proper care must be taken to treat this eye condition as soon as possible. In case the styes reoccur, consult a doctor at the earliest (1, 2).

Causes For Eye Stye

Some of the causes that lead to the formation of eye styes are:

Sleep deprivation Dehydration Poor nutrition Poor hygiene (1, 2) Using expired cosmetics Changing contact lenses without washing hands Not removing eye makeup before going to sleep

Home Remedies For Eye Stye

1. Coriander Seeds For Eye Stye

2 tablespoons coriander seeds 1 cup water

Do this twice or thrice a day, and your stye will heal in no time. The best-recommended home remedy for an eye stye is the use of coriander seeds. They contain compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce the edema in your eye (3).

2. Tea Bags For Eye Stye

A tea bag Warm water

If the stye is on the inside of the lid, place the bag over the lid. You can also use a used tea bag for this. Repeat this 2-3 times in the day. Warm tea bags are known to work wonders on a stye. It not only gives relief from the pain but also helps reduce the swelling within 48 hours (4).

3. Guava Leaves For Eye Stye

5-6 guava leaves Water Soft cloth

Repeat this 2-3 times. This not only heals the stye but also provides relief from pain and swelling. This is because the guava leaves possess anti-inflammatory properties. They are also antimicrobial in nature and will prevent the eye from getting infected (5).

4. Garlic Juice For Eye Stye

1 garlic clove Q-tip

Do this twice in the day. Garlic juice is well known to cure an eye stye infection, thanks to its antibacterial properties (6). It will not only give relief from the pain but also reduce the stye. Also, garlic is one of the most common home remedies for staph infection management, a condition that may also cause a stye to form and blepharitis (inflammation around the eyes). Ensure the juice does not enter the eyes as it may sting a little.

5. Cloves Or Clove Oil For Eye Stye

2-3 cloves Water

You can also apply some clove oil instead of the cloves paste, with the help of a Q-tip. Apply this twice a day. This is another disinfectant that works wonders on a stye. Its antimicrobial properties can be made use of along with the antioxidants it contains to fasten the healing process (7). The cloves may cause a burning sensation if they enter your eyes. So, be on guard.

6. Potato For Eye Stye

1 small potato A soft cloth

This must be repeated twice a day for best results. Potato is a mild astringent and has anti-inflammatory compounds (8), (9). This poultice will reduce the swelling, the pain, and also prevent infection. Kevin Weiskirch, a blogger, discusses his utilization of potatoes for treating a stye. He writes, “After realizing that copious amounts of Advil and allergy meds weren’t gonna help make it actually go away, I finally booked an appointment at NYU’s an eye doctor. They told me it was a stye, and that the best way to treat it would be to warm up potatoes and put them on my eyes until the potato cooled off at least once or twice a day until the stye finally disappeared (i).”

7. Turmeric For Eye Stye

A pinch of turmeric powder A glass of water

Mix the turmeric in the water and rinse your eye with this. Do this twice a day to get fast relief. Turmeric is an excellent antiseptic and is often used for treating topical and internal infections. This herb is also known for its healing properties (10).

8. Water And Salt For Eye Stye

1 liter water 2 teaspoons salt A soft cloth or face towel

Do this twice a day until the stye is healed. The warmth of the water will soothe the irritating eye stye. It will reduce the pain and also the swelling by promoting circulation (11). Salt in this remedy acts as an antimicrobial agent (12).

9. Cooked Egg For Eye Stye

1 hard-boiled egg Repeat this twice a day. Applying heat to the stye helps in reducing the swelling. It also relieves the pain. The heat from the egg heals the stye quickly.

10. Aloe Vera For Eye Stye

An aloe vera leaf This stye treatment offers quick relief cure when used 2-3 times a day. Aloe vera is usefulfor treating sore eyes. This plant provides various health benefits. It will hydrate the eye while soothing the itching and the pain (13).

11. Acacia Leaves For Eye Stye

A small bunch of acacia leaves Water

Do this twice a day. If you have a painful stye, then acacia leaves might be the answer to your problem. The soreness of the eye and swelling will be healed in no time (14).

12. Onion Rings For Eye Stye

Onion slices Cut an onion into slices and place the slices over the eyes for a few minutes. Do this twice a day. Onions do not help to get rid of an eye stye completely but they do assist in reducing the pain. Although it creates a burning or stinging sensation, it speeds up the healing process. Onion has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties too (15). Another useful way to use this root for a stye is to chop onions. When water comes out of the eyes because of the pungent fumes from the onion, it will naturally hydrate the eye and relieve the eye pain. It will also cleanse the eye of dirt and dust particles that may cause infection.

13. Tamarind For Eye Stye

A handful of tamarind seeds 2 cups of water

Soak tamarind seeds in water for 12 hours. 2. Then, use the drained out water to rinse the eye. Do this twice a day to get relief. Tamarind seeds are also used as an effective remedy for an eye stye as it helps relieve both pain and swelling (16).

14. Iron Or Gold For Eye Stye

Any item made of iron or gold Gently rub this item over the stye for a couple of seconds. Repeat a few times during the day. According to anecdotal evidence this natural remedy is effective to cure the stye when used in the early stages. It is an old wives’ tale that has worked for many people. One should pay attention to the kind of metal used. Dirty or rusted metal can cause an infection. Always use a clean and hygienic item only.

15. A Coin For Eye Stye

A coin Do this a few times during the day. The warmth of the metal will soothe the pain and give you immediate relief.

16. Milk Cream For Eye Stye

1 tablespoon fresh milk cream 1 tablespoon milk 4 tablespoons water A cotton ball

Do this twice a day until the eye stye heals. The warmth of the milk cream reduces the swelling and also help in quickly eliminating any pus that may be present (11). During this home treatment, dust particles should not enter the eye.

17. Bitter Gourd For Eye Stye

Bitter gourd Another method to use bitter gourd is by brewing a tea out of the gourd. Drink this bitter gourd tea in the morning on an empty stomach. You can add a pinch of salt for taste. Repeat the bitter gourd application twice a day. Bitter gourd works as a detoxifying agent. It will help in cleansing your skin and removing the stye effectively. You can also use the leftover gourd particles from the tea as a compress. This will help in alleviating the pain. Bitter gourd is also antibacterial in nature (17).

18. Castor Oil For Eye Stye

Castor oil Cotton swab

Repeat the process a few times in the day until the stye is healed. Castor oil, with hydrating properties, is useful to cure infections of the skin. It reduces the swelling and pain while treating any infection that may be causing the stye with its antimicrobial properties (19).

19. Bread And Milk For Eye Stye

A slice of bread Warm milk Cotton Antiseptic ointment

Repeat this once again if required. This is one of the oldest eye stye home remedy, almost an old wives’ tale. The warmth of the milk is supposed to help rupture the stye. Many people have benefitted from this remedy. Do not use milk that is too hot as this may burn the sensitive skin around the eyes easily.

20. Apple Cider Vinegar

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar 1 cup hot water Cotton ball

Repeat this 2-3 times a day. Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces the swelling and infection. Its low acidity will heal the eye stye quickly (19), (20). The vinegar will sting slightly. In case, the solution hurts a lot, immediately remove the cotton ball and rinse the eye thoroughly with cool, clean water.

21. Coconut Oil For Eye Stye

Coconut oil Q-tip

Keep reapplying the coconut oil throughout the day. Coconut oil will keep the skin hydrated and reduce the swelling. It will also kill the bacteria causing the eye infection (21), (22).

22. Tea Tree Oil For Stye Eye

4-5 drops tea tree oil 2 tablespoon clean water

Do this 2-3 times every day until the stye heals. Tea tree oil is an excellent antimicrobial agent that is often used to treat topical infections. It has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiparasitici A group of medications used in the management or treatment of infections caused by parasites. properties. It is also good at reducing inflammation and promotes healing (23).

23. Warm Compress For Eye Stye

A small soft cloth Hot water

Apply the warm compress 4-5 times daily. The warm compress will soften the eye stye and will help it to drain by itself (24).

24. Epsom Salt For Eye Stye

1 cup warm water 1 teaspoon Epsom salt Washcloth

This remedy will yield best results if repeated 3-4 times a day. Epsom salt works as an astringenti A substance or chemical agent that helps shrink tissues and dry up skin secretions to tighten pores. and cleanses the area (25). It gives relief from the pain (26). The warmth of the water will help to reduce the stye in no time.

25. Lavender Oil For Eye Stye

Lavender oil You can also add a drop of frankincense oil to the lavender oil and use it. Repeat this 2-4 times daily. Lavender oil is very cooling and soothing for the inflamed and irritated skin at the affected region. It also has antifungal and antibacterial properties (27). For children, dilute the oil either with water or coconut oil.

26. Honey For Eye Stye

3 tablespoons honey 2 cups of hot water

Repeat this twice a day. Honey is an emollienti A substance or agent that moisturizes the skin by forming a protective film over it to trap moisture. that keeps the skin moisturized. This property is beneficial in reducing the itching sensation in the affected area. Its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergen properties are useful for treating skin conditions like eye stye (28). Honey may also help manage symptoms of other eye issues and is one of the effective home remedies for eye infections such as blepharitis, keratoconjunctivitis, etc. Some home remedies can cure and heal an eye stye. But remember that some of these eye stye home remedies will only work in the initial stages when the stye in the eye has formed, and there is no infection. Use remedies with antimicrobial components such as castor oil, essential oils, turmeric, and garlic for infected eye stye treatment. These remedies should offer relief in most cases. However, you also may need to visit a doctor or go for medical treatments if the condition worsens or doesn’t get better.

Medical Treatments For Eye Stye

To treat an eye stye, doctors might suggest a few different approaches. Topical antibiotics can be applied directly to the stye to help clear the infection. For more serious cases, oral antibiotics might be needed to treat the infection from inside the body. If the stye does not improve or keeps coming back, a doctor might need to drain it with a small procedure. This helps reduce pressure and speed up healing. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions and take any prescribed medication correctly to make sure the infection is completely eliminated. So, when do you have to visit a doctor? Keep reading to know more.

When To See A Doctor

A stye is a minor issue that can easily be managed at home. However, consult a doctor if it affects your vision, does not improve within a week of using home remedies, or you develop multiple styes in a short period. Symptoms like redness, swelling, or high fever are signs of a potentially serious infection that warrants immediate medical attention. Moreover, seek medical advice promptly if you have a history of recurrent styes, diabetes, or a weakened immune system. If you ignore the ongoing or worsening symptoms, it might lead to more severe health issues. Prompt medical care makes sure that any underlying problems are addressed properly. It helps you recover quickly and effectively. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind to prevent styes and other eye infections as well.

Precautions

Avoid touching the affected area. If you do, wash your hands beforehand. Avoid sharing personal items and cosmetics. Pay attention to the proper hygiene of your eyes and wash them at least three times a day. Always use clean water to rinse the eyes. If you use contact lenses, keep them clean and put them on with clean hands. Do not rupture the stye as it will lead to infection. Do not wear eye makeup or contact lenses when you have an eye stye. Remove makeup before going to bed. Replace eye makeup, such as eyeliners and mascara every 3-4 months. Sleep at least 6-8 hours daily. Avoid stress as it can lower immunity levels and trigger infections easily. Use good quality medicine for treating an eye stye. For recurrent styes, use antibiotici A substance or agent active against bacteria and useful in preventing its growth and proliferation. creams or eye drops. Over-the-counter medications and painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen relieve pain. Topical antibiotics or oral antibiotics help in taking care of the infection. If the external stye is extremely painful, the doctor may remove the eyelash nearest to it and drain the pus away by lancing it with a thin needle. This drainage procedure should only be done by an ophthalmologist. Avoid wearing makeup, lotions, or contact lenses until the stye is gone.

Can a dirty pillow cause a stye? Check out the infographic below to learn about the dos and don’ts when you have a stye.Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team Dr. Ranjodh S Boparai, MD, an ophthalmic surgeon at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, says, “While sleeping on a dirty pillow may not cause styes directly, it can certainly introduce new pathogens, such as bacteria, or your eyelids and lashes, predisposing you to develop a stye.” Is putting ice on a stye good? According to Dr. Boparai, “No, styes respond best to warm compresses. Since styes form from blocked oil glands, a warm compress can help liquefy the backed-up oil and help a stye naturally drain.” Should you massage a stye? “Yes, gently massaging the stye with a warm compress may help enhance the breaking up of the backed-up oil and help the stye drain,” says Dr. Boparai. Does a hot shower help a stye? Dr. Boparai says, “Yes, for the same reasons that a warm compress helps. The heat helps to liquify the backed-up oil. Although, a warm compress is a more effective way of delivering heat directly to the stye, compared to a warm shower.” Do styes naturally go away? Yes, styes usually get smaller and go away naturally in a few weeks. However, in some cases, styes may persist and require surgery and other treatments to clear up. How long will a stye last? Styes usually last up to 2 weeks. Are styes contagious? No, styes are not contagious. However, as styes may be caused due to bacterial infection, some transfer of bacteria to other people is possible. Does a stye get bigger before it goes away? No. A stye usually diminishes in appearance before going away. However, putting a warm compress on a stye may temporarily make it appear bigger. How to get rid of a stye overnight? While getting rid of a stye overnight may not be guaranteed, there are several stye self-care measures and home remedies for stye, you can try to alleviate discomfort and promote faster healing. These include using essential oil compresses, and Epsom salt rinse for the eye, maintaining good eye hygiene, and avoiding using eye makeup.