Symptoms

Sty: a red, hot, tender, uncomfortable, and sometimes painful swelling near the edge of the eyelid.

Chalazion: a relatively painless, smooth, round bump within a fat gland of the eyelid.

Call Your Doctor If

Either type of swelling does not subside within a few weeks.

The swelling interferes with your vision. you have pain in the eye.

You have recurrent sties. A sty can be a symptom of other ailments such as diabetes and chronic skin problems.

CAUTION：Although some alternative treatments may be helpful in relieving and preventing eyelid infections, never put any preparations in the eye itself unless specifically directed to do so by a physician. The surface of the eye is easily damaged by some antiseptics and medications. When applying any lotions or compresses to the eyelid, keep your eye closed.

A sty is a pimple or abscess on the upper or lower edge of the eyelid that signals an infected eyelid gland. Although sties are usually on the outside of the lid, they can also occur on the underside.

An external sty starts as a pimple next to an eyelash. It turns into a red, painful swelling that usually lasts several days before it bursts and then heals. Most external sties are short lived

An internal sty (on the underside of the lid) also causes a red, painful swelling, but its location prevents the pus from appearing on the eyelid. The sty may disappear completely once the infection is past, or it may leave a small fluid-filled cyst or nodule that can persist and may have to be cut open.

Herbal Beauty

A chalazion is also a sign of an infected eyelid gland, but unlike a sty, it is a firm, round, smooth, painless bump located usually some distance from the edge of the lid.

Sties and chalazions are usually harmless and rarely affect your eye or sight They can occur at any age and tend to recur elsewhere on the lid.

Treatment Options

While painful and unsightly, most sties heal within a few days on their own or with simple treatment. Chalazions, too, often disappear on their own, but it might take a month or more.

If sties recur, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment or solution. Apply it to the eyelid (with your eye closed) as directed.

Although a chalazion will often disappear on its own, applying warm compresses to the lid and perhaps a corticosteroid ointment will help speed the process.

In some especially problematic cases that do not respond to home treatment, you may need to have an internal sty or a chalazion removed surgically. An ophthalmologist can perform this minor procedure in the office using a local anesthetic. The eyelid usually heals quickly.

Acupuncture

In traditional Chinese medicine it is believed that all types of boils, including sties, are caused by heat invasion.

Ayurvedic Medicine

An infusion made with Indian basil can be soaked in a piece of clean cloth or cotton ball and applied to the sty to provide relief. Be sure to read the caution at left about applying treatments to the eye. Consult a qualified practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine for further specific advice.

Flower Remedy

Bach Rescue Remedy cream, applied directly to the sty, may help the eyelid heal faster. Be careful when you apply the cream—avoid getting it in your eye.

Herbal Therapies

To help reduce the pain and inflammation of sties, herbalists recommend professionally prepared eye drops made from eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis). They may also prescribe an oral preparation of burdock (Arctium lappa).

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy treatment for a sty consists of applying hot compresses to the affected eye for 10 to 15 minutes four times daily for several days. This not only relieves pain and inflammation but also helps the sty ripen faster. To make a hot compress, use a cotton cloth or washcloth. Soak it in hot water, then wring it out; the cloth should be dry enough not to drip but wet enough to maintain a hot temperature for several minutes. Replace or remoisten the cloth as needed to keep it hot. Be sure to close your eye while you apply the compress. When the sty comes to a head, continue applying hot compresses to relieve pressure and promote rupture. Do not squeeze the sty; let it burst on its own.

Nutrition and Diet

If you have recurrent sties and chalazions, a nutritionist may recommend that you take supplements of vitamins A and C, which seem to promote healthy skin. You might also want to try a system- cleansing diet, consuming only raw fruits and vegetables, yogurt, herbal teas, fruit juices, and mineral water for up to a week. Naturopathic physicians believe that this diet, repeated at regular intervals, may keep sties from developing.

Home Remedies

The simplest—and often the most effective—treatment for sties and chalazions is to apply hot compresses, as described under Hydrotherapy, above. When the sty has come to a head, it will spontaneously rupture. You can also make a compress by wetting a tea bag with warm water and placing it on your eyelid, with your eye closed, for five minutes three to four times a day.

Prevention

If sties tend to recur, you need to cleanse the outside of your eyelids daily. Put a few drops of very mild baby shampoo into a teacup of warm water and stir. Using a clean cotton swab, gently brush the mixture over your eyelid once a day, keeping your lids closed. It is very important that you avoid contact of the eyelid with cosmetics, dirty towels, or contaminated hands.

Frequent application of hot compresses at the first sign of an infection will prevent further blockage of the lid glands. To keep the infection from spreading to other members of your household, be sure to use a clean, disposable cloth for compresses and do not share washcloths or towels.

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