What can I use to treat the stye?

A sty typically results from a bacterial infection or from a clogging of the oil glands around the eyelashes. It is usually harmless, despite its appearance and pain.

• Take a clean washed cotton cloth, dip it in warm water and hold it on the eye for few minutes, the heat will help to break open the sty and drain on its own. Repeat 4-5 times a day.
• Guava leaves, warmed and placed on a warm damp cloth, and then used as a compress also reduces the redness, pain and swelling.
• Wet a tea bag in warm water and place it on the sty. Let it stay for a few minutes. The tannic acid in the tea will help to decrease the size of the sty.
• Boil 1 tsp of coriander seeds in water; use this water to wash your eye 3-4 times in a day. Never try to squeeze a sty; it will be painful and may make the infection worse.
• Avoid wearing contact lenses and eye makeup. If an eye sty is very stubborn, consult an ophthalmologist.

answered by S P

Stye or sty is an infection of eyes where the gland at eyelid becomes infected. A pimple like thing appears at the eyelid. It can be visible outside as well as inside of eyelid, though not harmful to the vision. This problem could occur in any age. Try these simple home remedies:

• Use alum water to wash your eyes. To prepare the solution, mix 2-3 granules of alum in a cup of water.
• A wash with triphala water is effective. To make triphala water, add 1 tsp of triphala powder in 1 glass of water and let it stay overnight. Filter it in the morning and use it to wash your eyes.
• Take 1tsp of turmeric and boil it with 2 cups of water. Keep it boiling till it reduces to half. Now pass it several times through finely woven cotton fabric till all the turmeric granules are removed. Use it as eye drops 2-3 times in a day.
• 1 tsp of coriander seeds should be boiled in a cup of water and eyes washed 3-4 times a day.
• A handful of acacia leaves, boiled with 2 cups of water (after filtration)is used as a compress on eyelids.
• Wet tea bags and place it over the eyes for 8-10 minutes. Use it for several times a day.
• Apply mashed potatoes as a poultice over eyes.

answered by r k