A hordeolum, commonly known as a stye, is a red bump, a pimple-like formation on the outside edge of an eyelid. Our eyelids have plenty of tiny oil glands, particularly near the eyelashes.
Dirt, excessive oil, or dead skin can easily block these holes. So, when a gland is blocked, bacteria thrive and a stye may form.
The most common symptoms of a stye are a pain in the eye, swelling, tear production, crust around the eyelid, soreness and itchiness of the eye, etc. They usually go away on their own within seven to ten days; however, if the stye isn’t painful, it’s probably a chalazion.
The treatment for the two is similar, although the latter may take longer to heal. To speed up the regeneration process, check out the best natural methods below.
How to Get Rid of a Stye Faster & Naturally
- Warm compress
The warmth will pull out the pus and dissolve it faster so that the stye can drain faster and naturally.
To make it, wet a clean cloth with warm water, but not hot. Squeeze out the surplus and gently put it over the stye. Repeat it three to four times per day.
- Soapy water
Avoid harsh chemicals when you’re cleaning the eyes because the skin there is much thinner than in other parts.
You can clean the eye with mild soap and warm water or a mixture of warm water and a bit of tear-free shampoo for babies.
Apply it onto the eyelids with a washcloth or a cotton swab. Saline solutions may also help: they encourage drainage and dissolve bacteria.
- Warm tea bag
Black tea warm bags are great for styes. They lower swelling and also have antibacterial characteristics.
You can do this up to twice per day to minimize discomfort and speed up the healing.
- Antibiotic ointment
OTC ointments can help in the healing of styes.
If your stye is too painful, messes up your vision, doesn’t go away, or decreases in severity in several days, consult a dermatologist.
The OTC is applied inside the eyelid. To apply it, pull the lid of the eye gently and then apply a thin layer.
- Potatoes or cucumbers
Cold cucumber slices are great to provide moisture that will lower irritation and inflammation.
Slice the cucumber that was previously in the fridge. Put it onto the eye and hold it for ten minutes or so. In case you don’t have a cucumber, a potato can also work too.
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