How to Prevent and Cure Sties

Sty That Has Spread

A sty is simply a pimple that develops on the eyelid. It usually isn't a serious condition and doesn't usually last longer than a week. Sties, however, are often unsightly. There aren't many people who wouldn't want a sty to go away quicker. Taking a few simple steps can not only ensure that your sty goes away in half the time, but also help prevent them altogether.

Things You'll Need

• Tea bags
• Wash cloth
• Multivitamins

Instructions

1. Take action to prevent sties in the first place. You want to make sure to wash your eyes at least twice everyday. This will help prevent bacteria from forming on your eye and causing a sty. Also, take daily multivitamins that will help in boosting your immune system. These multivitamins can be found at grocery stores, or you could go to a vitamin store and ask for the best vitamins for the job.

2. Take actions to get rid of the sty if one forms. First soak a tea bag in warm water (not hot water). After allowing it to soak for a minute, hold the bag against the sty. Don't hold the bag directly on your eye. You should do this for about 10 minutes, but stop if it causes major discomfort. The tea bag method causes the puss too come to the surface of the sty quicker, and therefore could cut the time you have a sty in half.

3. Wash your eye immediately with a warm, wet washcloth once you notice the puss is gone from the sty. This will also reduce the time you have the sty. Make sure to wash your eye several times a day using this method to ensure that the bacteria carrying puss doesn't stay in your eye.

4. Rinse or wash your eye if it is irritating you. Rubbing it could make the sty worse. Women should also stop wearing eye makeup when they have a sty, as this could prolong the condition.

5. Stay away from polysporin or any other ointments that expressly state to keep the ointment out of your eye. Placing these one your eyelid could easily cause the ointment to get in your eye.

Tips & Warnings

• Never poke the sty with a needle or attempt to squeeze the pus out. This will likely only spread the infection, simply because the puss will run and spread the staphylococcus bacteria.

• If the sty lasts longer than a week and shows no indication of going away, consult a doctor.