A sty is an infection in a tiny gland of the eyelid. A sty forms from a clogged oil gland at the base of an eyelash.
Red, painful bump or sore on the eyelid
Watery or tearing eye that burns
and itches
The red bump may form a head and
appear yellow if it contains pus. This usually drains on its own within days.
Does a sty make it hard for you to see?  |
 |
| Do you have redness and swelling that hasn't
drained within a day or two? |
|
| Do you have a number of sties that appeared at the
same time or get one sty right after another? |
 |
You can relieve the discomfort of a sty by following these steps:
Apply warm (not hot), wet
compresses to the affected area 3 to 4 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 care and
don't require further treatment.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 2000 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/27/01