If you’ve developed a painful, irritating bump on or underneath your eyelid, it’s likely that you have a stye. Most styes go away by themselves, so all you need to do is follow some basic home treatments to help it heal faster. If your stye doesn’t go away after 10-14 days, or displays any symptoms of infection, be sure to see an eye doctor right away.
Styes form when dead skin, dirt, or oil block one of the glands around your eyelashes, allowing bacteria to grow inside it. Styes can be a common result of sharing makeup with someone else, or of touching your eyes with unwashed hands. If your stye is not painful, it is most likely a chalazion, which is also non-threatening, but will take longer to heal. Most styes should go away within 7-10 days.
When Should I See My Optometrist For a Stye?
Do not pop, squeeze, or touch a stye.It might seem tempting, but squeezing will release pus and may spread the infection. If your stye is inside your eyelid, your optometrist can help drain it safely.
Use a warm compress. This will help dissolve the pus and oil so the stye can drain.
If your stye needs to be professionally drained, or is displaying symptoms of infection, be sure to see a professional Raleigh optometry clinic for treatment. Schedule an appointment with Raleigh Eye Center today.