When it comes to worst preventable eye issues, styes have got to be at the top of the list. They’re annoying, painful, unsightly, and come seemingly out of nowhere at the worst times. Styes are caused by bacteria getting into the oil glands in the eyelids, where it usually mixes with dead skin cells and gets trapped. A day or two later, you get a nasty little red bump on or in your eyelid that is tender and makes your eyes water.
Thankfully, we are here to help you get rid of a stye as quickly as possible. Keep reading to learn how to help your stye heal fast and how you can prevent styes in the future.
Your first impression when you see a stye might be to squeeze it a little. After all, it is similar to a pimple that you might find on your chin. But before you squeeze it–don’t! Squeezing or trying to pop a stye will only make it worse. Try to be patient and gentle for the next few days.
Take out your contacts and wear your glasses for a few days. We strongly recommend throwing away those contacts and starting with a new, fresh pair when your stye has disappeared. The reason why is because your contacts might carry that bacteria, and just keep reinfecting you as you continue to wear them.
Wash your hands before you touch your eyes. This should be the rule for every day, but it’s especially important when you’re dealing with a stye. You don’t want to transfer it to the other eye, or introduce new bacteria to the problem. Try to avoid touching the eye, and keep busy so you can keep your mind off of it.
Wash your eye with a clean washcloth soaked with warm water and wrung out. Let the warm washcloth sit on your eye for five to ten minutes at a time, and gently massage the eye to loosen the stye. Get a new washcloth for each time you try this, every few hours a day.
If you have a stye that isn’t healing after a few days, or is actually getting worse, give us a call today to schedule a consultation. For our Meridian location, call (208) 342-5151 or for our Caldwell location, call (208) 459-0717.
