Signs
Each person’s symptoms may vary. Signs of a possible stye may include:
Discharge around the eyes
Excessive tearing
Feeling as though there is something in your eye
Swelling, redness, pain, or tenderness
After symptoms develop, a small often painful pimple-like bump will emerge in the affected area and may cause the area to swell. Your vision should not be affected despite the swelling. If your vision becomes affected after the presence of a bump or due to swelling, seek medical attention.
Treatment
In many cases, a stye will only last 3-7 days, but some may last up to 14 days. Most styes will also disappear on their own without medical intervention and at-home treatment. Still, if your stye is bothering you, here are some common at-home treatment options:
Soak a towel in warm water and hold it to your eye for several minutes throughout the day
To relieve pain or irritation, take over-the-counter pain medication
Avoid wearing contacts or using eye makeup
Remember not to burst, attempt to pop, or remove an eyelash from the stye. Professional treatment for a stye includes antibiotic ointments and creams to reduce inflammation and remove the infection.
Prevention
Though it can be difficult to prevent styes from occurring at times, there are ways to reduce your risk:
Keep your eyelids and lashes clean.
Remove your eye makeup before going to sleep every night.
Wash your hands before touching the area around your eyes.
Do not share eye makeup and remember to replace makeup and beauty products every six months or at their listed expiration date.
Though in most cases styes clear up on their own within several days, do not hesitate to contact our office for additional advice or treatment to help you heal faster. For more information on styles and our treatment options or to schedule an appointment, contact the Family Eye Care Center of Atlanta today.
