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!
Eye Stye Symptoms & Signs
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
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 make up 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. 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 compound (8, 9). This poultice will reduce the swelling, the pain, and also prevent infection.
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
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. 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 (17). 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 (18). 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 (19).
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 (20).
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 (21, 22). 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 re-applying 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 (23, 24).
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 antiparasitic properties. It is also good at reducing inflammation and promotes healing (25).
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 (26).
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 astringent and cleanses the area (27). It gives relief from the pain (28). 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 (29). 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 emollient 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 (30). 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. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind to prevent styes and other eye infections as well.
Precautions
Wash your hands before touching your eye. Do not share your 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 antibiotic creams or eye drops. Over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol 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 procedure should only be done by an opthalmologist. Do not apply eye makeup or lotions or wear contact lenses until the stye is gone.
Do styes naturally go away? Check out the infographic below to learn about the dos and don’ts when you have a stye. Yes, styes usually get smaller and go away naturally in a few weeks. However, in some cases, styes may persist and require treatment 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.
