How to Relieve an Itchy Stye

1. Take a clean wash cloth and wet it in hot water.
2. Place this warm cloth on your infected eye
3. Keep it closed for 10 minutes.
4. Repeat this warm compress 4 times a day.

This method will not only ease your pain and itching, but will also speed up the healing process. While taking a warm compress, do not press too hard. Apply only gentle pressure to keep the compress held against the eye. The mild heat, light pressure and moisture will give a nice remedy to your itchy stye. Another method of giving a warm compress to your stye is to wrap a hard boiled egg inside a sock, and holding it against your stye.

With the aim to keep your itching level down and to speed up the healing process, make sure that the stye does not get further irritated, injured or disturbed.

Although you may feel the strong need to itch or touch the stye, you should never do it. In order to prevent further irritation of the eye, don’t use contact lenses unless your stye gets completely healed. Don’t try to drain the stye by squeezing or pressing it. Never prod, poke or pressurize the stye, as it may irritate it further. Bursting a premature stye may maximize the chances of infection, resulting in severe pain and prolonged healing. Avoid wearing eye makeup when you have a stye. This may not only irritate the stye, but also spread the bacteria to other areas of your eye, especially when the stye is still not formed and you only feel it coming.

Certain over-the-counter pain killers can be effective in reducing the severity and itching caused due to the stye. A mild painkiller or an anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen or acetaminophen is known to relieve an itchy stye for sure. In addition to these, there are specially designed over the counter medicines available for relieving styes only, including a variety of topical ointments, medicated pads, eye drops etc.

Certain moisturizing solutions and lid scrubs are available to relieve discomfort and keep the eye moisturized. Certain antibiotics are also effective in relieving styes and treating other eye infections caused due to bacteria as they help you cure the stye too.

There are certain precautionary measures you should take while you're waiting for your stye to heal and avoid it itching:

• When you are having a stye, avoid straining your eyes through activities like reading under poor light, using your computer or phone too much, or continuously watching the television. Additional strain may irritate your stye, increase infection risk, and prolong pain. Take frequent breaks to relieve your eyes, and keep them closes for a few minutes every now and then. Click here to find out How to Avoid Tired Eyes.
• Your stye will start shrinking within 2-3 days, and disappear on its own. Sometimes, it may also open up and start draining. If it is draining, soak up the discharge using a clean piece of cloth. You may also use medical gauze to soak up the discharge. Never try to squeeze the stye to discharge it all at once. This can lead to more serious infection that will need stronger treatment.
• Practice proper hygiene by washing hands regularly with water and soap, especially before you touch your eye. Touching the eye with dirty hand may transfer bacteria and result in an infection. At all times, avoid sharing your eye makeup, sunglasses, towels and other items of personal use, especially with a person infected with stye. Always keep your eyes free of debris by wearing sunglasses.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

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