Styes are a common eye condition that are usually harmless and heal on their own within a week. However, those who develop the ailment will agree that styes are painful and uncomfortable. Luckily, we have some home remedies that will help you get rid of a styes fast overnight – or at least lessen the nuisance that accompanies it.
What is a styes?
A sty or a styes are red bumps that form along the edges of eye, specifically near the eyelashes. Sometimes the styes can also occur inside the eye or under the eyelid.
Symptoms of styes include:
- Pain around the eye
- Swelling
- Watery eyes
- Itchiness
- Soreness
What causes styes?
An infection of the eye or inflammation is usually the cause of styes. Our eyes have many, small glands that become clogged and infected. As a result, styes form.
How can the glands in eye clog? Many of us wonder this. Similar to the pores on our skin that create pimples as they become filled with oil and dirt, the glands in our eyes can become clogged with bacteria and oil.
Commonly a stye appears in one eye only and for many, it happens on rare occasions. However, some individuals are more prone to the ailment and have it frequently.
Risk factors of styes
Although, a sty can happen to anyone, anywhere – some people are more vulnerable to the condition. These include individuals who:
- Have a habit of touching their eyes with unwashed hands
- Leave makeup on overnight
- Insert contact lenses without properly washing them
- Have blepharitis – a condition that causes inflammation along the edge of the eye
- Have skin conditions such as rosacea
Home remedies – how to get rid of a styes fast
As we mentioned above, styes usually go away on their own. However, to encourage their healing process faster, here are some home remedies that are effective for the purpose.
Use a warm compress
Simply take a piece of cloth and soak it in warm water. Wring it thoroughly and place it over the infected eye. Repeat the process several times a day for 10 – 15 minutes at a time. This home remedy will encourage the drainage and fasten the healing process.
Clean eyes properly
Eyes are a sensitive organ and we should avoid using harsh soaps and chemicals over it. This is especially prevalent at the time it is infected with bacteria. When suffering from a sty, make sure to wash eyes with a mild soap, or a tear-free baby shampoo.
Using a saline solution is another option that can effectively speed up the drainage of infected eye and heal it rapidly.
Utilize tea bags for stye
Similar to the warm compress remedy, a warm tea bag also does wonders for reducing the stye. Simply add a tea bag to a cup of warm water and allow it to steep for a minute. Remove the tea bag and allow it to cool after which you can place it over the eye with a stye.
We recommend using black tea bags, as they are a popular aid for inflammation and swelling. However, you can also use green tea bags for stye. Moreover, make sure to use a separate tea bag for each eye and discard the bag after every use.
Use antibiotic ointments
Over-the-counter stye ointments are easily available at pharmacies. To use the ointment, just take out a quarter inch of the ointment and apply it inside your eye. Make sure that the ointment you use is made specifically for to be use inside the eye.
Additionally, avoid using topical steroids on your eye. They can cause side effects and may worsen your infection.
Use pain relievers
Styes can be painful and uncomfortable. To reduce the pain associated with the stye, take over-the-counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen and Tylenol. However, make sure to take the corrected dosage and avoid over-exceeding the use.
Don’t use makeup and contact lenses
Eye makeup can irritate the stye more and enhance the healing process. When the eye is infected, avoid using anything on your eye. Moreover, ensure that you wash your makeup brushes regularly and throw out any eye makeup products that are over three months old.
If you wear contact lenses, we recommend skipping them and switching to glasses until your stye heals. Bacteria from the infection can spread to your lenses and complicate the healing process further.
Seek medical attention
Sometimes the stye does not go away on its own and may require medical assistance. Immediately seek the help of a professional eye specialist if any of the following applies to your condition.
- The styes has not improved or worsen after waiting out for a few days
- You have pain in the eye, rather than your eye lid
- You are experiencing blurred vision
- Your eye lid has swelled or not opening completely
- Your eye lid is red
- The sty is interfering with your daily life
- You are experiencing recurrent episodes of sty and eye infection
Your doctor will advise you a proper treatment plan and may even request it to be professionally drained for quick healing.
Are styes contagious?
Just like acne breakouts, styes are not contagious and will not spread to others through physical contact. However, the bacteria can spread to other areas and cause skin breakouts if not properly treated.
How long does the stye last?
The swelling of the sty usually lasts for about three days but the drainage and the complete healing process usually takes 7 to 10 days.
The final words
In this guide, we have provided you with complete information regarding styes. Basically, styes occur naturally and go away on their own within a few days. However, they are not physically appealing as well as irritating. If you want to get rid of the styes fast overnight and reduce the discomfort, try the above home remedies. With these tips and a dose of patience, your sty will heal faster and effectively.