How to Treat a Stye at Home

Dealing with a stye can be frustrating, as it can be painful and lead to swelling in your eyelid. Most often, they can be treated at home and should clear up in a few days. The following tips from our team at Lock Family Eye Care in West Des Moines should take this frustration out of your life quickly.

Warm Compresses

A stye is often the effect of a blocked oil gland. Typically, it can be unblocked with a clean warm, wet washcloth. Apply it to your eye for around 10 to 15 minutes a minimum of two times a day. If possible, aim for four times. Then, gently massage your eyelid with a clean finger.

Clean Your Eye

Apply gentle soap, such as baby shampoo, to a cotton ball and wet it with warm water. Gently clean your eyelid with the cotton ball one to two times each day.

Apply a Tea Bag

Black tea bags are great for swelling and bacteria. Let a tea bag sit in boiling water for about one minute. Once it cools, place it on the infected eye twice a day for about 10 minutes.

Use Antibiotic Ointments

You probably already have some antibiotic ointment in your first aid kit. Apply a small amount to your clean eye to help treat a mild stye.

Ditch the Contacts and Makeup

Contacts and makeup can irritate your eyes, causing a stye to worsen. Until it clears up, put your eyeglasses and natural beauty to work.

Schedule an Appointment with Our Optometrists in West Des Moines, IA

If your stye doesn’t go away within a few days or it’s affecting your vision, it’s time to visit our optometrists. Call our team at Lock Family Eye Care today at (515) 267-1312 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.