Sty

[The Kizzy]

MY son came back from his Dad's today with a sty in his eye. Anything I can do for it? I've heard warm wet towel, but I wasn't sure. Thanks.

[Jennay]

Understanding Sty -- Treatment

WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed By Charlotte Grayson, MD
on Tuesday, January 01, 2002

The Basics | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

What Are the Treatments?

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.

Typical treatment for a sty consists of applying warm 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. Be sure to close your eye while you apply the compresses. When the sty comes to a head, continue applying warm compresses to relieve pressure and promote rupture. Do not squeeze the sty; let it burst on its own.

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

Sometimes, if there are staphylococcal infections elsewhere in your body as well, your doctor may prescribe an oral systemic antibiotic such as erythromycin. If these conservative treatments fail, surgical removal of the sty may be required.

Minor surgery may also be needed to eliminate the cyst that could result from an internal sty. After using a local anesthetic, your ophthalmologist opens the cyst and removes the contents. The eyelid usually heals quickly.

Although a chalazion will often disappear on its own, applying warm compresses and perhaps an ointment with anti-inflammatory medications will speed the process. The chalazion can also be removed through simple surgery under a local anesthetic. Your doctor then covers the eye for 8 to 24 hours with a pressure patch to control bleeding and swelling.

The Basics | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

© 2002 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.

[Trielelvan]

Pretty much, the only thing you can do is exactly that - apply warm compresses to the eye. Keep at it for a couple days. It will either go away on its on, or burst and then go away. Whatever you do, do NOT puncture it.

If it's a bad one, or if there is a lot of swelling around the surrounding tissue, take him to a doctor and have them look at it.

[The Kizzy]

Thanks ladies

[Captain Insano]

whats a sty? did his dad punch him in the eye?

[The Kizzy]

If he did, I will kill him myself. A sty is an infected eyelash, I think.

[Gypsiyee]

There's a specific medication they make for them, too.. gosh I don't remember what it's called, just that it's almost like a gel that comes in a little tube about 4 inches long, it's been so long since I've used it, but it worked great. I'd imagine you would find it at walmart or something like that.