Sty

[carlton23]

How is a sty in the eye best treated, as I am trying salt water eye baths and was told to put a cold tea-bag on it for a few minutes. Do you agree with these methods? TIA

[kira000]

Apply the back of a hot teaspoon to it for 5 minutes..

[Ice.Maiden]

A warm tea bag works better, carlton. Put it in a cup, pour hot water over it and let it stand for a few minutes. Swirl round, take the teabag out, squeeze, and when cool enough, apply it to the stye. Do that a few times a day.
A spoon also works sometimes, as does rubbing with a coin, but be careful if you use either of those methods, as the skin around trhe eyelids is very delicate.
Finally, keep the eye area very clean. Bathe with warm water, dabbing carefully over the infected part of the eye.

[beaniesq]

Hi, a couple of tips on your sty.

Dont bathe the whole eye in salt water. Freshly boiled and cooled salt water on a cotton wool pad, gently swept across the affected area, is enough to keep it clean. Do that three times a day.

Take a close look at it in the mirror - if the sty is at the base of an eyelash, grit your teeth and pull out that lash. That gives the infected matter a way out of the little pocket it's sat in.

Get some 'Golden Eye' ointment from the chemist. It has an antibacterial in it that should take down the infection farily rapidly.

If it gets very painful, or swollen, or if your vision starts to go blury with it, go to the Dr. You may need a stronger, prescription only antibacterial ointment.

Good luck!

[carlton23]

Thankyou both very much, I`ii heed your comments.

[Lil O'lady]

I recommend minimal fiddling and let it run its course. It should flare up and die down in a week. But if you rupture it by messing you might introduce additional infection which will leave you with a longer problem. The warm tea bag is least invasive and the tea helps fight infection in a mild way.

[carlton23]

I have bought Golden Eye Ointment this morning and the itching has now subsided and my wife has just put a third lot in my eye, so I am now going to bed. So thanks to all, and don`t forget to add 1 hour to your clocks to-night.
`G`night All`

[clio57]

Just a point. If you are going to try cotton wool and hot water, just wipe once and throw away. Of course don't use same piece of wool for both eyes or you'll be in a bigger mess.

[carlton23]

Good point Clio57, as it is I use an eye bath and seperate water each time I bathe them in salt water.