| A sty is a small boil or bacterial infection in a tiny gland of the eyelash follicle. If the oil-producing glands on the upper or lower rim of the eyelid become infected, they become swollen and painful. A sty is minuscule at first, but it can blossom into a bright red, painful sore.
Some early symptoms include:
- A gritty feeling in the eye
- Redness on the rim of the eyelid
- Swelling
- Sensitivity to touch
- Eventually, a 'baby" sty will come to a head and appear yellow, due to accumulation of pus. Generally, the tip will face outward, and the sty will rupture and drain on its own. In the meantime, however, you can relieve the discomfort by following these steps:
- Apply warm (not hot), wet compresses to the affected area three or four times a day for
5 to 10 minutes at a time.
- Avoid situations that expose your eyes to excessive dust or dirt.
- Don't poke or squeeze the infected area, no matter how tempted you may be to pop the sty.
- Most sties respond well to home treatment and don't require further treatment. If the sty doesn't drain within a day or two, see your physician, who may need to remove the troublesome eyelash or prescribe antibiotic drops for the eye.
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