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In most cases, the sty can be treated easily with the use of warm compresses at least 4 times a day for 10 to 20 minutes, as this helps to reduce inflammation and relieve the symptoms of the sty. However, if the stye does not pass in 8 days or increases in size, it is recommended to consult the ophthalmologist to start the most appropriate treatment, which can be done with ophthalmic ointments, antibiotics or minor surgery to drain the pus.
During treatment it is recommended not to wear eye makeup, to avoid scratching the affected eye frequently and not to wear contact lenses to prevent styrene obstruction and increased infection, for example.
1. Styling polishes
Stye ointments usually include a combination of an antibiotic substance, such as Terramycin, and a corticoid, such as Prednisone, for example. This type of ointment helps to eliminate any infection that is developing on the spot and that does not allow the body to heal naturally.
These ointments should generally be applied 4 to 6 times a day after washing the eye with warm water, or according to the doctor's advice, as they cannot be purchased without a prescription and without proper evaluation. In the most difficult cases to treat, as can happen in some elderly people, the ophthalmologist may even prescribe an antibiotic in pills to treat the infection more easily.
2. Home treatment
A good home treatment for sty can be done in the first 8 days with the application of warm chamomile compresses over the eye to relieve inflammation, pain and help drain pus. The use of boric acid water in the treatment for stye, although it is widely used, should be avoided, as it is a non-sterile substance that can facilitate infection.
To make the warm chamomile compress it is recommended to put the chamomile sachet in 200 mL of boiling water and let it stand for about 10 minutes. Then, wet a clean compress in the tea and apply on the sty for about 5 minutes, repeating the process up to 3 times a day.
See other natural ways to treat the stye at home.
3. Surgery
In some cases, the stye can cause an excessive accumulation of pus and, in these situations, it is common for the doctor to recommend a small surgery, which is done in the office, and which consists of draining the pus with a needle, so that the infection is more easily treated and the discomfort lessened.
Depending on the pain tolerance, this technique can be done with local anesthesia, however, it is common to do it without anesthesia, since the pain is often compared to that of a spine being squeezed.
Care during treatment
In addition to applying warm compresses or the medications prescribed by the doctor, there are also some important precautions that help speed up recovery. Such care includes:
- Do not try to squeeze the sty;
- Avoid touching or scratching the stye;
- Wash your hands before touching the stye or applying any medicine;
- Do not use the same compress more than once;
- Keep the eyelids clean and free from rashes;
- Avoid putting contact lenses in your eyes.
In addition, people who make frequent use of makeup should also avoid applying eye makeup during treatment, as it can worsen the infection and increase discomfort.
Signs of improvement and worsening
Signs of improvement in the stye include a reduction in swelling and redness, as well as pain and difficulty opening the eye.
On the other hand, the signs of worsening are related to the infection of the stye and include increased pain and swelling, as well as difficulty in opening the eye. In addition, the appearance of pus, the fact that the stye does not pass in 8 days and the infection spreads to other regions of the eye are also part of this type of signs.