Stye Remedies
Facts on Stye Remedies
Stye remedies have been around for centuries using everything from potatoes to aloe. There are brews of tea to acids that help shrink the stye that has formed on the end of the eyelid amid the eyelashes-swelling and causing eye discomfort.
The purpose of the eyelashes is to make sure foreign objects do not get into your eyes-including flying insects, dust and/or debris. They are provided for by the sebaceous glands which produce unsaturated fatty acid for each tiny eyelash.
Styes are generally caused by bacteria known as staphylococci. Commonly found in the nose, the bacteria are easily transferred to the eyes invading the glands. Sties can also occur due to allergies causing inflammation of the conjunctiva in the eye (conjunctivitis) or poor health. They are not harmful to the vision and can occur in those of any age.
Common symptoms include discomfort when blinking, pain in the eye or eyelid, redness and swelling of the eyelid, sensitivity to light and/or blurred vision. In most cases a tiny pimple presents itself at the onset of the symptoms with the stye developing within 3-7 days as it fills with pus. It is at this point that a sufferer goes in search of stye remedies-before the stye burst spontaneously, while the pressure, swelling and pain are at their peak.
Of the many stye remedies the simplest is to apply a warm compress to the eye for about 10 minutes 3-4 times daily. This treatment will help the stye come to a head and break on its own. An herbal solution can be made to increase the effectiveness of the compress by boiling parsley and acacia leaves for 10 minutes in a cup of water, then applying a dipped compress to the stye. Make a fresh solution for every treatment 2-3 times daily.
Other stye remedies include rubbing cloves steeped in water over the stye for the relief of pain. Using a grated potato poultice is said to reduce the swelling of the inflamed eye.
Warmed guava leaves placed on a warmed damp cloth then used as a compress over an infected eye reduces redness, swelling and/or pain. The pulpy side of an aloe leaf slice used as a compress can relieve eye soreness, as can warm, wet tea bags (tannic acids will help shrink stye, also) placed over the eye 8-10 minutes several times a day. This is especially effective if raspberry leaf teabags are used. The tea itself can be used as an eye wash as it contains antibiotic properties that will safely aid the eye.
There are several stye remedies used as eyewashes to be applied several times a day such as 1 tsp. coriander seeds boiled in 1 cup of water; alum granules dissolved in 1 cup warm water or 1 tsp turmeric boiled in 2 cups of water until it is reduced by half, cooled and strained through several folds of muslin.
A stye signifies that the immune system not where it should be. Take a good multi-vitamin to ensure you are providing the body with a blend of vitamin A with beta-carotene, C and E, in addition to a blend of minerals. Plan healthy meals and avoid starchy/sugary foods.