What is the treatment for a stye?
• No treatment is often necessary. Most styes burst and the tiny amount of pus drains away leaving no further problem. • Hot compresses may help to ease soreness and clear the pus. Hold a clean flannel that has been in hot water gently but firmly against the closed eye. Do this for about 20 minutes, 3-4 times a day. (The water should be hot, but comfortable and not scalding.) • An antibiotic ointment may be prescribed if the stye does not clear. • An antibiotic medicine may be needed if the infection does not clear with the above measures. To reduce the chance of the infection spreading: • don’t share facecloths/flannels or towels with anyone whilst you have a stye. • always wash your hands after touching the affected eyelid. Will it happen again? Most styes are one-off events. However, some people seem prone to getting them. At the first sign of a stye, try hot compresses as described above. This may ‘nip it in the bud’.
