Stye, commonly known as hordeolum in medical terminology, is an acute infection in the eyelids caused due to oil glands. This condition gives rise to a firm and red lump over the eyelid. The result is a head that is filled with pus. This condition is excruciating. This condition is also called Ranjanwadi, Bilani, and Anjanika in India.
Some common causes of sites include dirt, makeup, or other rubbish, which might clog the pores and infect the oil glands with bacteria. The most common bacteria causing this condition is staphylococcus, which is responsible for almost 90 to 95 percent of cases. Blepharitis is one condition that causes a higher risk of sites in a person, leading to eyelash follicle inflammation. Sometimes, hormonal changes, stress, and hygiene are also responsible for this pain and discomfort condition.
Home Remedies for Eye Stye
Some of the common home remedies that can be applied to keep sties away include the following:
1. Coriander seeds
If you have a red, tender lump on your eyelid, one of the best home remedies is to take a handful of coriander seeds and boil them in water. Wash your eyes with this water thrice daily, and you will get rid of a stye.
- Coriander seeds contain antioxidant properties that help in reducing swelling.
- The antiseptic properties of the seeds assist in combating the infection.
- Rinsing the eyes with this solution acts as a natural cleanser, promoting faster healing.
2. Turmeric
Add a pinch of turmeric to a glass of water and rinse your eyes. Turmeric has antiseptic properties; thus, it will help kill the infection in the eyelid.
- Curcumin, an active compound in turmeric, has strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
- These qualities help in reducing inflammation and combating bacterial infections.
- Using turmeric can speed up the stye’s healing process.
3. Aloe Vera
Cut a fresh aloe vera leaf with a clean knife and put the pulp in the sore eyelid. It will help cure the condition and provide coolness.
- Aloe vera is known for its soothing and healing properties.
- It contains antioxidants and enzymes that can reduce inflammation.
- Applying aloe directly to the stye can alleviate pain and promote faster recovery.
4. Tea Bags
The leftover tea bag can cure stye if you have enjoyed your hot cup of tea. Place this tea bag in the chiller of your refrigerator for around half an hour. Then, place this cold tea bag on your infected eye. It will help with itching and cure stye.
- Tea contains tannins, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
- These tannins help reduce swelling and redness when applied to the stye.
- The coolness from the chilled tea bag can provide immediate relief from itching and burning.
5. Cucumber
You can place pieces of fresh cucumber on the eyelids. This will help cool your eyes, reduce swelling, and give you a relieving effect.
- Cucumbers have hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Chilled cucumber slices can soothe the eye and reduce puffiness.
- The cooling sensation provides instant relief from stye discomfort.
6. Tamarind seeds
Tamarind seeds are effective in treating stye. Take some tamarind seeds and soak them in warm water overnight. Massaging infected eyes with these seeds will help relieve this situation.
- Tamarind seeds have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Applying a paste or massaging with soaked seeds helps reduce stye symptoms.
- Regular use can assist in faster recovery from the stye.
7. Salt
You can try out this remedy to get relief from this condition. Rinsing eyes with warm salt water twice a day will help relieve stye. It will also help decrease swelling in the eyes.
- Salt has natural disinfectant properties that help combat infections.
- Warm salt water cleanses the eye and reduces bacterial buildup.
- Using it regularly minimizes swelling and pain associated with the stye.
8. Chopping Onions
This is one of the easiest home remedies. As you cut an onion, tears come out from your eyes, and this will wash away all the dirt and debris causing infection from the eyes.
- The sulfur compounds in onions release a gas that stimulates tear production.
- This natural tear flow helps flush out irritants and cleanse the eye.
- Onion’s antimicrobial properties also aid in combating the stye-causing bacteria.
9. Avoid makeup
When style is present in your eye, you must avoid eye makeup and maintain good eye hygiene. This will also avoid contaminating your eye makeup products.
- Cosmetics might harbor bacteria and aggravate an existing stye.
- Avoiding makeup ensures the infection doesn’t spread or worsen.
- Using clean brushes and products post-recovery can prevent future occurrences.
10. Warm compress
Applying a warm compress on your infected eyelid is the best home remedy to cure this painful condition. Add warm water to a bowl, dip a piece of cotton, and leave for 10 minutes. This will help ease pain and treat this condition.
- Warmth increases blood flow, which accelerates healing.
- The compress soothes the eye, reducing pain and discomfort.
- Regular application can help the stye come
It is also essential to avoid the occurrence of eye infections happening again. To prevent this, you should not poke, squeeze or pick the stye and avoid using others eye makeup. It is also essential to check the expiry dates of your eye makeup products, as expired ones can cause eye infections.