How exactly does putting a hot compress of your eye help to remove a stye?

Question

what does the heat do to get rid of it? I read that it "softens" the stye...but i dnt really understand what that means...im curious

Answer 1

There is mucin and oils in your tears and on the tiny glands on the edge of your eye lid. When these glands become clogged with oils (etc) that is when a sty can occur. Using hot/warm compresses softens this so it can dislodge itself easier. You can also do gentle lid scrubs with baby shampoo since it won't burn your eyes. (close your eyes and gently scrub/massage your lids and lashes)

Answer 2

The heat does help reduce some of the swelling but the best way I've heard it described is to think of the stye as similar to grease and at room temperature it may be solid and harder but with increased heat it liquifies somewhat.  This helps the stye begin to dissolve.

Answer 3

well common sense heat reduces swelling.. so the hot compress is a good idea i would recomend it..