Sty is the infection and inflammation of the sebaceous glands that lie embedded in the eyelids at the base of the eyelashes, and is caused by staphylococcus bacteria. Mostly, it is the lower eyelid that is affected. The most common symptoms of this infection are swelling, accumulation of pus in the pustule, and pain, itching, redness and watering in the eyes. Though not very usual, sometimes the sty may cause the eyelid to swell up so much that you may have minor difficulty in vision. Also, in a few cases the person may suffer from mild fever. The infection generally occurs when dirt and microbial creatures come into direct contact with the eyes through fingers. Thus, the underlying reason behind this problem is lack of proper personal hygiene. Nutritional deficiencies and an already compromised immune system may also make a person prone to suffering from this problem recurrently.
Though a sty goes away naturally in a couple of days, once the pus is released from the pustule, you may follow a few natural remedies at home to relieve the symptoms and get rid of the sty quickly. Warm compresses on the eyelids are the most popular home remedy for treating a sty. Simply soak a piece of cotton wool in a solution of a pinch of salt mixed in a cup of hot water and gently place it over the affected portion. This not only reduces the pain and swelling but also improves blood circulation to the area, destroys the bacteria that cause the infection and promotes faster healing. Follow this procedure at regular intervals throughout the day to get rid of the symptoms in just a couple of days. For another effective remedy, mix a half a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a cup of distilled water and pour a few drops of this solution into the affected eye twice every day. The natural antibacterial property of turmeric makes this solution an excellent means of cleansing the eye and treating the infection. You could also prepare some natural eyewash by boiling a teaspoon of coriander seeds in a cup of water and extracting the clear liquid decoction. Wash your eyes with this solution every morning after waking up and at night before going to bed. Guava leaves could also be very useful for this purpose. To use this as a remedy, gently heat a fresh guava leaf over a hot surface till it begins to become soft and then wrap it with a piece of thin linen and use this as a poultice on the eyelid.
answered by G M