Dr. Rajashree P. Ramkrishna

A stye is a tiny red bump in the eyes which looks like a pimple on the outer edge of the eye. This condition usually causes a lot of discomfort and a significant amount of pain. This pimple generally forms when the oil glands in the eyes get clogged with dirt and grime as well as excess oil, which created blockage due to the accumulation of bacteria. Too much tear production as well as swelling and pain are the most common symptoms of this condition, which must be shown to an ophthalmologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Read on to find out the various ways in which you can treat this condition:

• Well cleaned hands: Always ensure that your hands are properly cleaned and sanitised, as the hands can spread the maximum amount of germs and bacteria to your eyes. The hands are usually the most overworked part of the body which we use for doing a variety of tasks that involve touching, gripping, pulling, pushing and running them along a variety of surfaces. This causes a build-up of germs and bacteria on the hands which can easily get transferred to the face or the eyes, as one touches these areas constantly. So, it is important to keep your hands clean at all time to ensure that the stye does not get worse.
• Avoid makeup: When you are suffering from a stye, it is imperative to keep your eyes clean and clear. For this, you must avoid using makeup until the stye gets fully cured as the makeup may irritate the eye and the particles may further block the pimple. Also, you may want to avoid wearing contact lenses unless the stye gets better, and stick to glasses instead so that there is nothing in the eye that will obstruct its treatment.
• Warm washcloth: This treatment will soothe the eye and help in sanitising the area with the warmth of the washcloth. Also, this kind of treatment for a few minutes every day will ensure that the swelling also reduces. Further, one must ensure that the washcloth is clean and lint free so that no dirt escapes into the eyes.
• Avoid squeezing: One must avoid squeezing the stye as this action can make it even worse. Further, if the pimple bursts, the liquid or pus within can easily infect the eye and the area around it. The stye should be allowed to drain out on its own, or you can visit an eye doctor who will help in draining it out.

Getting professional help to treat the stye with medication and ointments as well as medical procedures is always more helpful.