Sty, or hordeolum, is an eye infection that affects the sebaceous glands of our eyelids. It is characterized by a red firm lump around the eyelid, which eventually gets full of pus.
A sty can be caused by a number of causes, the most common ones being, makeup, dirt, oil along with other debris blocking the sebaceous glands of the eyelids. This blockage soon leads to infections caused by a bacteria called staphylococcus. In five per cent cases, a sty may be caused by a bacteria other than staphylococcus.
The risk factors of sty are people who are suffering from blepharitis. Blepharitis is a medical condition that causes inflammation and irritation of eyelash follicles. Poor hygiene, anxiety, stress, hormonal abnormalities, and lack of sleep, can increase one's chance of developing a sty. You can, at a time, also have more than one sty.
The sty usually develops around the edge of the eyelid. If this gets filled with pus, it causes a great deal of discomfort and pain. The general the signs of sty are,
- Pain
- Itching
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Burning sense
- Difficulty blinking
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Mucus discharge in the affected eye
A sty generally gets cured in a week's time. To speed up the recovery, and to also get some relief from the symptoms, try these home remedies for sty.
Home remedies for sty
Here are the top 10 home remedies for eye sty.
1. Warm Compress
Apply warm compress over an infected eye can cure the sty in a jiffy. This is because heat from the compress will enhance the circulation of blood in the infected eye, thus speeding up the recovery process by resulting in the drainage of pus from the sty.
Warm compress also takes care of the irritation and pain associated with sties.
For the remedy, heat some water in a bowl. Now dip a clean and soft towel into this water and wring out the excess. Place the cloth on your closed eyelid, and press lightly. You need to hold the cloth on the infected eye for around 5 minutes.
The treatment should be repeated thrice a day until the entire pus is released. You have to clean the pus with another soft and clean bit of cloth, and reapply the compress.
2. Green Tea
An anti-inflammatory remedy, green tea is great when it comes to relieving the pain caused by sties or any other eye infection. The tannic acid in green tea also ensures that the infection does not spread from one eye to another.
The nutrients in the tea from the eyes some comfort and relief.
For the remedy, you have to heat a cup of warm water. Now dip a green tea bag into this water for a while. Remove the tea bag, and squeeze it to eliminate the excess tea. Now put the tea bag on your infected eyelid. Remember to keep your eyes closed. You need to hold it on your eyelid for at least 5 minutes.
The remedy should be repeated thrice a day for the condition to get cured.
Also, instead of green tea bags you can use black tea bags too.
3. Coriander Seeds
Coriander seeds are a great remedy for sties. They have been used for years to treat eye infections of numerous kind. The seeds can also known to lower pain, redness in addition to swelling, all of which are symptoms associated with sties.
For the remedy you need to first boil a cup of water. Now add a teaspoon of coriander seeds and heat it some more. Remove the container from fire and let the water cool. Strain this water, and employ it to clean your affected eye. Ensure the water does not enter your skills. Do not splash the water, but use a washcloth to clean the area with this particular water.
The remedy should be repeated at least 2 times a day, until the pus comes out, and you feel completely relieved from the pain.
4. Aloe Vera
A very popular treatment for sties is natural aloe-vera. It is antibacterial, which ensures the problem does not spread to the other eye, and it is therapeutic properties help give you some respite from the pain and irritation.
For the remedy, you have to first extract aloe vera gel from a leaf of aloe vera and then gently rub it within the infected eyelid. You should leave the gel on for around 20 minutes, and then clean the area with lukewarm water.
The treatment ought to be repeated thrice a day until the condition is completely cured.
5. Castor Oil
The ricinoleic acid in castor oil makes it a great anti-inflammatory agent, thus working wonders in curing sties.
For the remedy, begin by cleaning the affected eye with baby shampoo and warm water. Remember to keep your eyes shut when you clean it. Now using a clean cotton swab apply some castor oil around the bump. Make sure that the oil does not get into the eye.
You should repeat the remedy twice a day until the condition is cured.
6. Guava Leaves
The natural therapeutic properties of guava leaves allow it to be an amazing remedy for sties. Also, these foliage is highly anti-inflammatory, and so, they help eliminate the redness as well as the swelling caused by the sty.
For the remedy, take three leaves of guava and wash them with hot water. Now take a clean washcloth and soak it into the hot water containing the leaves. Wring out the excess and place the cloth on your infected eye. You can also place a leaf in the cloth, wrap it well, after which place the cloth on the eye.
You should repeat the remedy twice a day for best results.
7. Potato
Potato is generally used to treat sties, and also to get relief from its annoying symptoms. As potato contains astringent properties, additionally, it reduces skin irritations. It can benefit contract the tissues, thus decreasing inflammation and also the pain associated with sties.
For the remedy, take a medium-size potato and grate it. Now take a clean cheesecloth, and place the grated potato inside it. Place the cloth on your infected eye for around 10 minutes.
This remedy should be repeated at least two times a day, until your condition improves.
8. Cloves
Cloves work really well to treat a sty because they relieve pain, and also cure skin irritation. This is what makes them super effective in case of sties.
Not just in curing sties, cloves also help in preventing the infection from spreading further due to its amazing antibacterial properties.
For the remedy, you need to soak about 6 to 7 cloves inside a bowl of water. Leave it to steep for around 10 minutes, and then strain the water. You need to take a clean, soft washcloth, soak it into this water, and place the cloth on your closed eyelid. After a couple of minutes repeat the process.
You need to follow the treatment at least thrice each day for quick relief.
If despite these natural home remedies your sty isn't healed, then you need to immediately consult a doctor.
According to Mayo Clinic, you have to visit the doctor if,
“Most sties are harmless for your eye and won’t affect what you can do to see clearly. Try self-care measures first, for example applying a warm washcloth to your closed eyelid for 5 to 10 minutes several times a day and gently massaging the eyelid. Contact your doctor if:
-
The sty doesn’t begin to improve after 48 hours
-
Redness and swelling extend beyond your eyelid and involve your cheek or any other parts of your face”
Additional tips for sty
Here are some tips you can follow in addition to the remedies to prevent the spread of infection.
- You need to keep your hands away from you infected, to ensure it doesn't spread.
- Before and after you touch your vision, you need to wash your hands well.
- Do not pop a sty. Also do not squeeze it. You don't want the infection to spread to the other eye.
- When you've got a sty, avoid all forms of eye shadows.
- Those who wear contact lenses shouldn't wear them while they have a sty.
- As an over-all principle, do not share your eye makeup.
- You should never go to sleep without properly removing your makeup.
That is we have on today's post on home remedies for sty. Was this helpful? Are you recommending it to others too? If you have some remedies that you would like to see us, then please do so in the comment section below.
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