A stye is an infection of the hair follicle of an eyelash. The hair follicle is the small pit that the eyelash grows out of. It is a sore similar to a boil or a pimple the forms on the edge of the eyelid. The eyelid may become swollen and sore. Styes usually develop and then come to a head in three to seven days, then burst and heal on their own, in most cases. They will fill with pus then burst spontaneously. A chalazion can sometimes be mistaken for a stye.

Stye Symptoms

redness of the eyelid itself
blurred vision of the affected eye
swelling of the eyelid
Tearing of the eye
Discomfort when blinking
Sensitivity to light
pain in the eye or eyelid, especially when blinking or to the touch

Causes of Eye Stye

A stye is caused by an infection in the sebaceous (oil producing) or sweat glands in the eyelid. The infection is usually caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. Although styes are typically painful, tender, red and swollen, they are not harmful to vision. Styes usually burst on their own and then heal within a few days. In order to prevent spreading or further infection, it is crucial that a stye be left to rupture on its own.

Rubbing the eyes, which irritates the oil glands. Bacteria that are present on your hand may cause the infection.

Using mascara, eyeliner or other eye product can irritate the eye. If the products are contaminated with bacteria, an infection may develop.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a sty is based on its characteristic appearance within the eyelid. Styes usually resolve on their own without medical attention.

A sty usually goes away in a week or two.

Eye stye Treatment

Styes can be treated at home by applying a very warm, wet, clean wash cloth to the tender area
Apply warm compresses for several minutes 3 to 4 times daily
Application of prescribed antibiotic drops may also be used to help fight the infection
Surgical drainage of the stye may also be necessary if the stye is not responding to treatment

Some home remadies for treating stye

Take a cup of water. Dissolve 2-3 granules of alum in it. Use as an eyewash
Guava leaves, warmed and placed on a warm damp cloth, and then used as a compress, reduce the redness, pain and swelling. Helps in stye infection.
Use a grated potato as a poultice to reduce swelling in inflamed eyes
1 teaspoon of turmeric in 2 cups of water until it reduces in half. Cool and strain 4-5 times through a fine muslin. Apply as eye drops 3-4 times a day
Boil a handful of acacia leaves in two cups of water to make a decoction and apply it as compress on the eyelids. Helps to cure eye stye.
Prepare raspberry leaf tea and use it as an eyewash to alleviate styes.
Slit an aloe leaf lengthwise (the leaves are thick). Place the pulpy side on the sore eye. It reduces itchiness in inflamed and sore eyes.
If you suffer from eye stye frequently, supplement your diet with vitamins A . Recurring styes are often a sign of vitamins A deficiency.