Styes??? Whyyyyy?

Question

I'm not exaggerating when I say this...

Over the past year I've had about ten styes.

I don't know what to do. They love me!! They just keep coming back. It's an absolute pain.

What could be causing them? .. What could I do to prevent them from coming back again?

Please help me! :(

Answer 1

10 in a year, ouch!  To understand how to treat them, it's easier to start with what they are.  In reality, a stye is a pimple.  We have glands along our upper and lower lids that secrete part of our tear film.  In many people, these glands become clogged allowing bacteria to grow and they become infected.  When these are acute (red, painful to the touch, elevated) antibiotics can be used to clear these up quickly.  However, there are several things you can do at home to keep these from forming.  Most important is lid hygiene, twice a day take a CLEAN washcloth with very warm water (not scalding) and gently message your lids with your eyes closed.  This serves two purposes, the rubbing helps to dislodge any clogs in the glands, and the hot water thins the secretions so they flow easier.  Another helpful habit is to take Omega3's which increase secretions of these glands to help keep them open.  If neither of these are helping see an eye doc who can give you more specific recommendations.  Hope this has helped you.  One disclaimer, these are usually very benign, however, if you find that you tend to get them in one specific area over and over, see someone this could be a sign of a certain type of cancer.  Take Care.

Answer 2

Stress and toredness are two common causes, the old wives tale is to rub a gold wedding band on it. I personally just avoid putting any make up/ moisturizer on it. Keep it clean and use cleansing eye drops. Ususally goes quite quickly.

Oh....and avoid rubbing it.

Answer 3

You could try Goldeneye. Its an ointment specifically used to treat styes.

Might I suggest a visit to your GP to find out why you keep getting them.

Good luck.

Answer 4

In addition to the lids scrubs mentioned before, you may benefit from a course of oral antibiotics.  Talk to your eye doctor.