What causes a sty in the eye is an infection of the meibomian glands that help to keep the eyeball lubricated. This usually happens after the gland has become blocked. Infection of the hair follicles at the base of the eyelash can also result in a sty. In most cases, the infection is caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium that is usually found on the skin. Another less frequent cause of styes is a diffuse inflammation of the eyelid known as blepharitis.
Most styes will eventually drain and clear up on their own. Treating a sty may only be necessary when the sty persists beyond 4 to 5 days.
An effective home remedy for a sty requires you to apply a warm washcloth to the eye for about 15 minutes. A clean washcloth should be soaked in hot water and the excess water squeezed out. The warm washcloth should then be pressed over the affected eye. The process should be repeated 4 to 6 times a day and will cause the stye to rupture and drain faster. This will speed up the recovery process. The sty should not be squeezed or pricked in order to facilitate drainage as this may only help to spread the infection.
If the stye persists for more than a few days then you should consult a doctor. The doctor may lance the sty using a local anesthetic. In some cases, you may be prescribed an antibiotic ointment or a steroid based one to lessen the inflammation and cure the infection. Oral antibiotics are usually only prescribed in case of multiple or recurrent styes.
Your doctor may also prescribe pain medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to provide relief from the pain and inflammation.
You should desist from wearing contact lenses while you have a sty as it may exacerbate the condition. Avoid wearing eye make up for the same reason.
Keeping your eyelids clean by using a cotton ball soaked in a mild soap solution will go a long way in preventing styes from developing in your eyes.
answered by G R