A stye is an unsightly swelling on the edge of the eye. It looks like a pimple when it fills up with pus. As it worsens, it will get a crusty appearance. This is usually due to the release of some of the pus from rubbing or scratching the area. Although a stye is unsightly, it won’t cause any harm unless a person attempts to cut into it to release the pus before it is ready. Injuring the area in this way can lead to an infection because the skin is so fragile around the eye. Because of this, it is essential to use home remedies for stye instead.
This article will discuss several stye home remedies that are both gentle and effective.
Try the easiest home remedies for stye to get rid of the swelling and pain.
1. Warm Compresses
To relieve the inflammation and swelling in the eye, use a warm compress several times a day for a stye home remedy. It will help to reduce the pain and bring the pus to a head. Warm compresses are the safest of all stye home remedies because they involve no chemicals or incisions. They do take a little longer to work, though.
Instructions
- Wet a clean washcloth with warm water.
- Lie down or sit in a comfortable position.
- Apply the warm washcloth directly to the affected eye.
- Leave it in place until the washcloth gets cold.
2. Baby Shampoo
The main reason that styes develop is because oil and dirt accumulate in the pores near the eyelashes. So by removing this dirt and oil, you can heal any styes that have developed and prevent future ones from occurring. Just be sure to use a type of baby shampoo that is labeled tear-free, since this type is the most gentle. And don’t use the same washcloth and water to clean the uninfected eye because it could spread the infection.
Instructions
- Fill a small bowl with warm water.
- Add a teaspoon of baby shampoo to the water.
- Stir the shampoo and water together.
- Dip a washcloth into the water.
- Clean the entire eyelid and the surrounding area with the washcloth.
- Rinse the eye with another clean washcloth and plain water.
3. Green Tea Bags
Green tea has natural anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties to it that make it one of the best home remedies for stye treatment. It is sold in a loose powdered form and in tea bags. For the easiest application to the eye, only buy green tea in tea bags. As an added bonus, applying green tea to the eye area is also amazing for the skin. Some say that it even helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Instructions
- Heat a half of a cup of water in the microwave until it is warm.
- Put two green tea bags in the water.
- Let the tea bags steep in the water for one minute.
- Apply them to both of the eyes while you relax in a comfortable position.
- Keep the tea bags on the eyes for ten minutes.
4. Avoid Using Makeup
Many women get a stye because they use old makeup that becomes full of bacteria over time. Makeup also clogs the pores, especially oil-based types of makeup. So by going without makeup, a woman can give the skin around her eyes a break, so it can heal faster. This method of healing a stye works the best if it is also used with some of the other home remedies for stye treatment that have been mentioned, though. That is because simply not wearing makeup doesn’t clear up the infection that is present.
Instructions
- Keep the eyes and surrounding area free from makeup for at least one week while the stye heals.
- Continue to treat the stye using one of the other above mentioned tips.
5. Guava Leaves
Guava leaves are a natural remedy that help reduce the swelling and pain experienced during a stye outbreak. The leaves of this plant are easy to use as a home remedy for this problem, being available online and at specialized retailers.
Instructions
- Place a handful of guava leaves in hot water.
- Let them steep until the leaves become tender.
- Wrap the leaves in a clean cloth and place it over the stye.
- Repeat daily for best results.
6. Potato Compresses
Potatoes work as an astringent to kill any infection and tighten the pores of the eye area, so they don’t get filled with more oil and debris. A potato will work the best for a painful stye if it is cold because it will reduce the swelling faster. Use only an organic potato that has been washed first to be sure that there aren’t any pesticides or dirt on it.
Instructions
- Grate a small, cold potato in a dish.
- Put the grated potato in a piece of cheesecloth.
- Twist the cheesecloth into a small purse.
- Put a rubber band on the top of the cheesecloth to hold the grated potato inside.
- Apply a new potato compress three times a day to the affected eye.
7. Parsley Poultices
Parsley is a common garnish on dishes, but what some people might not know is the tradition of using it started because of its ability to fight bacteria. If it is eaten after a meal, it will clean the teeth and kill off any bacteria that causes bad breath in the mouth. This garnish can also be used externally for infections if it is made into a poultice. Use only fresh parsley for home remedies for stye treatment, since it has more beneficial properties than dried parsley does.
Instructions
- Combine one tablespoon of finely chopped fresh parsley with a spoonful of hot water.
- Use a mortar and pestle to grind the mixture up.
- Put the ground parsley onto a piece of gauze.
- Apply the parsley poultice directly to the eye that has a stye.
- Keep the parsley poultice in place at least 15 minutes.
- Repeat the process twice a day until the stye is gone.
8. Aloe Vera Eye Pads
The leaves of the aloe plant are full of a clear, slimy substance that is healing to the body inside and out. It is so gentle that it can be applied directly to the eye lid without being diluted for one of the best home remedies for stye treatment. Fresh aloe scraped from a leaf works the best, but undiluted aloe juice from the store can also be used for this stye treatment. Also, use cotton eye pads specially made for injured eyes if possible. They come with tape attached to them that helps to hold them in place, so they don’t slip off. A cotton ball will also work in a pinch, though.
Instructions
- Scrape the inside of an Aloe Vera leaf that has been slit open to get a spoonful of the gel.
- Apply the aloe gel to a clean eye pad.
- Press the eye pad onto the eye with the stye.
- Tape the eye pad into place.
- Leave the pad on for at least 30 minutes.
- Repeat the process twice a day until the stye is healed.
9. Spice Cleansing Cloths
Spices have been used for thousands of years to heal the body, and they still work to kill infections fast. Two of the best spices for a stye are coriander and nutmeg. They are both commonly found in pie spice mixtures, but be sure to use them separately because pie spice mixtures often contain cinnamon that is irritating to the skin.
Coriander and nutmeg are often sold in whole pieces, so use a spice grinder to grind them up first before using them in home remedies for stye pain and swelling. Also, test this out on another part of your body before you apply it to the eyes to make sure that you won’t have an adverse reaction.
Instructions
- Grind up three coriander seeds and three nutmeg seeds together.
- Add the ground spices to a half of a cup of hot water.
- Put several clean, sturdy paper towels in the bottom of a resealable container.
- Pour the spice tea over the towels.
- Use one of the towels to clean the stye with daily.
10. Colloidal Silver Drops
Some people might not know that forks and spoons were originally made out of silver because the metal is naturally anti-microbial. Most silverware is now made out of cheaper metals, but it still retains the same silver color from long ago. When electric current is applied to a piece of silver that is put into a container of water, some of the silver leaches into the water. Then, it becomes a suspended solution that can be applied externally to wounds or drank for internal infections.
Bacteria cannot survive in the presence of silver, which is why the eyes of babies that are first born are always treated with silver drops. It can also be used for adults and children as a home remedy for pinkeye or stye. This remedy works the fastest of all home remedies for stye swelling and pain.
Instructions
- Dip a cotton swab into a bottle of colloidal silver.
- Clean the stye with the cotton swab.
- Repeat this treatment three times a day until the stye is gone.
11. Garlic Juice
Garlic is a traditional remedy that has been used in various cultures throughout history. Because of its antibacterial properties, garlic juice is an effective stye home remedy that is also easy to prepare. All you need is a few fresh garlic cloves to extract the juice from.
Instructions
- Peel 4-5 fresh garlic cloves.
- Use a knife or fork to press the cloves to release their juice.
- Apply the juice over the stye using a clean washcloth or make-up pad.
- Be careful not to get it into your eyes as it may cause irritation.
- Leave the juice until it starts to dry then rinse with clean water.
12. Castor Oil
Another natural remedy that is effective in treating skin infections is castor oil. This extract is hydrating, being able to speed up the healing process of the stye. However, you should be careful when applying this remedy not to puncture or break the stye.
Instructions
- Apply 3-4 drops of castor oil to the stye using a cotton bud.
- Rub it in carefully without puncturing the stye.
- Leave the oil on for 15 minutes then rinse with lukewarm water.
- Repeat daily until the stye starts to heal and diminish in size.
You don’t have to try all of these home remedies for stye swelling and pain at once. Pick one or two of them to do at a time until you find the one that works the best for you. If you have ever used any of these remedies before to treat a stye, be sure to comment below to let us know how well it worked for you. And remember, never try to pop or squeeze a stye. This can spread the infection or cause serious injury to the eye. If you find that none of these home remedies for stye pain and swelling are helping, have your eye checked out by a doctor.
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