How Long Does a Stye Last & Home Remedies to Get Rid of it

A stye (medically termed as hordeolum) is a red bump resembling a pimple which develops on the edge of the eyelid due to infection of the oil glands present in the eyelid. There are lots of oil glands present on the eyelid and around the eyelashes. Accumulation of dirt, dead skin and oil blocks these small holes and growth of bacteria under this clogged oil gland causes infection and development of stye. Staphylococcus bacteria are responsible for more than 90% of the sties. Common symptoms of a stye are tenderness, pain, swelling itching, burning, difficulty in blinking, mucus discharge and sensitivity to light. Stye is an annoying problem, but not a serious medical condition.

The swelling from the stye is present for around three days. The stye eventually breaks open and drains. Healing of the stye can take anywhere from a week to 10 days with simple home remedies or conservative treatment.

1. Warm Compresses

   Application of warm compress to the stye is an excellent remedy to get rid of stye. The heat from the warm compress increases blood circulation to the affected region and speeds up the process of rupture and drainage of the pus from the sty. Warm compress also gives relief from the symptoms of the stye, such as pain and swelling.

   Dip a clean towel or a soft cloth in hot water. After wringing out the excess water, close your eyes and place this warm towel against the affected region. Keep it in place for about 5 minutes. Do this home remedy four times a day. Use a clean towel to wipe the pus and reapply the warm compress till the pus drainage stops.

2. Coriander Seeds

   Coriander seeds contain anti-inflammatory properties which help in reducing pain, swelling and redness of the stye.

   To a cup of water add one teaspoon of coriander seeds and bring it to a boil. Next, turn off the heat and let the water cool down. Strain it and use this coriander seeds water to wash the affected stye region. Repeat this thrice a day till you get relief from the stye.

3. Green Tea

   Green tea contains natural anti-inflammatory properties which helps in relieving pain and inflammation of the stye and also reduces the size of the stye. Green tea is also rich in tannic acid which helps in preventing infections. Green tea contains number of nutrients and antioxidants which help with the healing process of stye.

   Place a green tea bag in warm water for some minutes. Remove the tea bag and squeeze the excess water. Close your eyes and gently press this warm and moist tea bag over the stye and hold it in place for around five minutes. Do this few times daily till the stye diminishes in size and there is relief from pain. Black tea bags can also be used for this home remedy.

4. Baby Shampoo

   Washing the affected stye area with baby shampoo helps in keeping it free of dust and other impurities and helps in getting rid of stye quickly.

   Take a cup of warm water and add some drops of mild baby shampoo to it. Mix it to dilute the shampoo. Dip a cotton ball in this baby shampoo solution and clean the affected eyelid with this wet cotton ball along the base of your eyelashes; then rinse with warm water. Apply a warm compress afterwards. Do this thrice a day for a few days to get rid of the stye.

5. Turmeric

   Turmeric is an ancient home remedy, which contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which help in getting rid of a stye quickly.

   Take two cups of water and add one tablespoon of turmeric and boil it till the solution is reduced to half. After the turmeric solution has cooled down, strain it through a cheese cloth. Wash the affected eye area with this turmeric solution thrice a day for a few days till you get rid of the stye.

   Alternately, you can take a cup of warm milk and mix one teaspoon of turmeric powder and drink this before going to sleep. This will speed up the healing process of the stye.

6. Castor Oil

   Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, which acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and reduces the pain and inflammation from the stye.

   Wash the stye area with baby shampoo and warm water. Place a warm compress over the affected stye area and keep it for about five minutes. Use a cotton swab to dip it in castor oil and place this cotton swab against the stye. Repeat this home remedy two times daily for 5 days to get rid of stye.

7. Aloe Vera

   Aloe vera contains natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and soothing properties. Aloe vera helps in reducing swelling, redness and inflammation along with boosting the healing process of the stye.

   Slice open an aloe vera leaf and extract aloe vera gel from it. Gently rub this aloe vera gel over the infected eyelid. Keep the gel on for 15 to 20 minutes and gently wash the affected region with lukewarm water. Do this thrice a day for a few days to get rid of the stye.

8. Guava Leaves

   Guava Leaves contain natural healing power and are extremely helpful in getting rid of stye by reducing its inflammation, swelling and redness.

   Take a few guava leaves and wash them with hot water. Next, take a towel or a clean cloth and dip it in hot water and wring out the excess water. Place the guava leaves on the warm cloth and wrap it. After it has cooled down, take one guava leaf and place it on the region of stye and leave it for five minutes. Do the same with other guava leaves. Repeat this process twice a day for five days to get rid of the stye.

9. Cloves

   Cloves help in relieving pain and irritation, preventing the spread of infection because of its antibacterial properties. All these qualities make clove an effective home remedy for getting rid of stye.

   Take a glass of water and soak five cloves in it for 10 minutes. Strain the water and dip a clean cloth in this clove solution and wring out the excess water. Place the cloth against the affected eyelid and hold it there for a few minutes. Do this thrice a day for five days to get rid of the stye.

10. Potato

    Potato is one more effective home remedy for sties. Potato contains astringent properties which help in contracting the affected tissues and reduces swelling and the size of the stye along with alleviating pain and inflammation.

    Take a medium-size potato and grate it. Place the grated potato in a cheesecloth and wrap it. Apply this cheese cloth on the area of the stye for about five minutes. Do this thrice a day for 5 days to get rid of the stye.

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Also Read:

• Stye (Sty) or Hordeolum: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment- Antibiotics, Analgesics