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A sty is an acute inflammation of a gland at the base of eye.
What to look for
A sty is a pimple on the eyelid. It usually
means the gland on the eyelid is infected.
Sties are very painful but usually only last
3-4 days.
Sties are usually harmless and rarely affect
your eye or sight. They can happen to both sexes at any age and at any time.
Causes
The staphylococcal bacteria is the culprit.
This bacteria will survive quite nicely within your nostrils and can easily spread to your
eye with the rub of your hand.
Traditional Treatment
Most sties do not last very long, but they
will make their presence known while they are there.
Over-the-counter medications are available to
rid yourself of sties or you can let nature take its course. If you do apply medications
be very sure to follow the advice of our Pharmacist, as well as the directions and never
put the ointment inside your eye. The eye area is extremely sensitive.
Alternative/Natural
Treatments
Herbal Therapies -
Calendula may alleviate Sty’s.
Tea Tree
Oil may also help but take care not to get any Tea Tree Oil into the Eye
To help reduce the pain and inflammation of
sties, Herbalists recommend professionally prepared eye drops made from eyebright. They may also prescribe an oral preparation
of burdock.
Dietary
Considerations
Supplements of vitamins A and
C
may help with this problem.
Prevention
If sties recur keep the eyelids scrupulously
clean.
When to seek further
professional advice
the sty refuses to go after a few weeks.
the swelling interferes with your vision.
there is pain inside the eye.
you have recurrent sties.
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