Home Guide to Stye Treatment

Stye treatment at home is quite straight forward. Given time, your body will fight the infection off. There are a few things you can do to help though.

Firstly - do not squeeze it like a pimple! Instead: Apply a hot compress a few times a day.

How to prepare a hot compress:

• Soak a face towel or cotton buds in hot water (not boiling). It is important not to have the water so hot that you burn yourself, but as warm as you can stand.
• Hold the towel against your closed eyelid until it cools.
• Massage the area with your fingertips but do not squeeze the lump.
• Repeat at least twice a day.

Stay healthy

• Drink plenty of water
• Eat fresh fruit and vegetables - good for skin health.
• Don't touch your eyelids with dirty hands (that includes having just wiped your nose)

Relax!

Stress increases the likelihood of styes, just like pimples! Our skin seems to get oilier when we are stressed. So have a relaxing bath, go for a healthy walk and get some more sleep.

How to avoid a stye

Keep your eyes clean.

Removing the debris that can clog up the glands will help to prevent a stye. Take time daily to clean your lids properly. SteriLid from Theratears is an excellent foaming eyelid cleanser to help prevent stye and to control blepharitis (eyelid inflamation)

Other options include pre-packaged and pre-medicated wipes: iSoothe, LidCare. Use a good makeup remover.

Don't share

Don't share makeup - especially eyeliner and mascara. Bacteria from one person is easily transmitted to another if you share products.

Never draw eyeliner on the eye side of the lashes. This is where the Meibomian glands sit. These glands secrete oils for your tears. If you clog them up with makeup, they are easily infected. Always draw eyeliner on the outside of the lashes, on the skin.