What is a stye?
March 8, 2019
- Styes are small lumps which appear on the eyes – either on the eyelids or around the eye area. They look like small spots and can be filled with yellow pus. They can also be watery but should not impair your eyesight.
- They are common and should clear up on their own within a week or two.
- They are usually caused by bacteria infecting an eyelash follicle or eyelid gland. Keeping your eyes clean can help to prevent them.
- If it is painful take paracetamols or ibuprofen to relieve the pain. It is best not to wear any eye make-up to put contact lenses in, until it has burst.
- You can try and reduce the swelling by soaking your eye carefully with a cloth bathed in tepid water.
- Press it on the stye/eye for 5-10minutes and then repeat this around 4 times a day.
- You don’t normally need to consult your GP, but if the stye is causing severe pain, affecting your vision and/or doesn’t really seem to be improving, then it would be worth getting medical advice.
What causes them?
How can you treat a stye.
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