Sty, or hordeolum, is an eye infection that affects the oil glands of our eyelids. It is characterized by a red firm lump on the eyelid, which eventually gets filled with pus.
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A sty can be caused by a number of causes, the most common ones being, makeup, dirt, oil and other debris blocking the oil glands of the eyelids. This blockage soon results in infections caused by a bacteria called staphylococcus. In 5 per cent cases, a sty might 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 sleep deprivation, can increase one’s risk 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. When it gets filled with pus, it causes a great deal of discomfort and pain. The general symptoms of sty are,
- Pain
- Itching
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Burning sense
- Difficulty blinking
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Mucus discharge from 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.
Suggested read: Treat Your Tired Eyes With These Effective Home Remedies
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 the heat from the compress will improve the circulation of blood in the infected eye, thus speeding up the recovery process by causing 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 about 5 minutes.
The treatment should be repeated thrice a day until the entire pus is released. You need to clean the pus with another soft and clean piece of cloth, and reapply the compress.
2. Green Tea
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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 the other.
The nutrients in the tea off the eyes some comfort and relief.
For the remedy, you need 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 get rid of the excess tea. Now place 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, in place of green tea bags you can use black tea bags too.
3. Coriander Seeds
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Coriander seeds are a great remedy for sties. They have been used for years to treat eye infections of various kind. The seeds are also known to lower pain, redness as well as 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 use it to clean your affected eye. Make sure the water does not enter your eye. Do not splash the water, but use a washcloth to clean the area with this water.
The remedy should be repeated at least two times a day, until the pus comes out, and you feel completely relieved from the pain.
4. Aloe Vera
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A very popular treatment for sties is aloe vera. It is antibacterial, which ensures the infection does not spread to the other eye, and its therapeutic properties help give you some relief from the pain and irritation.
For the remedy, you need to first extract aloe vera gel from a leaf of aloe vera and then gently rub it over the infected eyelid. You should leave the gel on for about 20 minutes, and then clean the area with lukewarm water.
The treatment should be repeated thrice a day until the condition is completely cured.
5. Castor Oil
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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 on the bump. Make sure that the oil does not get into the eye.
You should repeat the remedy two times a day until the condition is cured.
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6. Guava Leaves
The natural therapeutic properties of guava leaves make it an amazing remedy for sties. Also, these leaves are highly anti-inflammatory, and so, they help get rid of 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, and then place the cloth on the eye.
You should repeat the remedy two times a day for best results.
7. Potato
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Potato is generally used to treat sties, and also to get relief from its annoying symptoms. As potato contains astringent properties, it also reduces skin irritations. It can help contract the tissues, thus decreasing inflammation and 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 in it. Place the cloth on your infected eye for about 10 minutes.
This remedy should be repeated at least two times a day, until your condition improves.
8. Cloves
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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 because of its amazing antibacterial properties.
For the remedy, you need to soak about 6 to 7 cloves in a bowl of water. Leave it to steep for about 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 few minutes repeat the process.
You need to follow the treatment at least thrice a day for quick relief.
If despite these home remedies your sty isn’t healed, then you need to immediately consult a doctor.
According to Mayo Clinic, you need to visit the doctor if,
“Most sties are harmless to your eye and won’t affect your ability to see clearly. Try self-care measures first, such as 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 start to improve after 48 hours
-
Redness and swelling extend beyond your eyelid and involve your cheek or other parts of your face”
Suggested read: 11 Home Remedies To Improve Eyesight That Are Guaranteed To Work
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 make sure it doesn’t spread.
- Before and after you touch your eyes, 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 have a sty, avoid all forms of eye makeup.
- Those who wear contact lenses should not wear them while they have a sty.
- As a general principle, do not share your eye makeup.
- You should never go to sleep without properly removing your makeup.
That is all we have on today’s post on home remedies for sty. Was this helpful? Will you be recommending it to others too? If you have some remedies that you would like to share with us, then please do so in the comment section below.
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