What to do when the eye is stye?

The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Hoang Thanh Nga - Ophthalmologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.

Most cases of stye will clear up after a few days without specific treatment. However, in case the stye is large, does not go away after a week, causes pain, discomfort, ... the patient needs to see a doctor for timely treatment.

Eye stye is an acute inflammatory syndrome caused by bacteria entering the eyelash gland. The stye causes the eyelids to be red, swollen, painful, sensitive to light, uncomfortable when blinking, and feels like dust in the eyes. At the site of pain, a red pus-like mass swells up like a boil. After 3-4 days, the stye will burst with pus and collapse but can then appear elsewhere on the eye. The stye is a very recurrent stye, which can affect one or both eyelids.
There are several different types of styes such as:
Inner stye caused by infection of the mucous glands of the eyelids: the stye is located on the inner surface of the eyelid, when the eyelids are turned up, the stye can be seen. External stye due to infection of the eyelash follicle: is a red, painful nodule on the eyelid margin. External styes are usually the size and solidity of a pea. Multiple styes: appearance of many styes on one or both eyelids, even in both eyes. There are many reasons that can increase the risk of styes such as:
Leaving makeup on overnight without removing makeup. Using cosmetics on the eyes has expired. Use unhygienic hands to change contact lenses Often rubs eyes with dirty hands Have a history of eyelid inflammation or chronic eyelid inflammation.

Eye styes usually clear up on their own after a few days without specific treatment. About 4-6 days, the pus of the stye will burst, the pain and pain symptoms will gradually decrease.
To speed up healing, in the early stages of styes, the patient can apply a warm towel on the stye for 10-15 minutes, 3-5 times a day. Warm compresses will help remove the yellow secretions from the eyelids, freeing the clogged eyelid cartilage glands. Wash your eyes with physiological saline (the type used for eyes) daily. During the time when the eye has a sty, do not scratch or rub the stye with your hands because it will create conditions for bacteria to penetrate deeply, which can cause more serious damage to the eye.
If large styes do not go away after 1 week, causing difficulty seeing, excessive tear secretion, pain, discomfort... the patient needs to see a doctor for treatment. The doctor may perform an incision procedure to remove the pus, and prescribe some oral antibiotics, antibiotic eye drops, anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers,... The patient needs to use them. medication and eye care as directed by your doctor to speed up recovery.

To prevent styes and eye infections in general, it is necessary to pay attention to some measures as follows:
Do not use your hands to rub your eyes, rub your eyes because bacteria from your hands can enter, causing eye infection. Wash your hands often with soap or an antiseptic solution, especially before touching your eyes or applying eye makeup. Do not share towels, cosmetics, makeup brushes, sunglasses, etc. with others. Especially do not share personal items with people who have styes or a history of styes. Use quality eye makeup, hygienic eye makeup brushes. Protect your eyes from sunlight, dust and pollution by wearing sunglasses or protective glasses. In addition, when the eyes have inflammation, pain, discomfort, it is necessary to see a doctor for timely treatment.
Vinmec International General Hospital is a place for quality health care with good service and a team of doctors with many years of experience. Therefore, when there are any health problems, customers can go to the hospital for appropriate examination and advice.