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Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:55 am  |
Hello all -
I woke up this morning to a slightly swollen right eyelid, complete with a barely discernable red bump close to the eyelashes. It hurts ever so slightly more if you push on it. I'm panicking and fearing many unspeakable things. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? |
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Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:58 am |
Could it be a sty?
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WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR
* Your sty lasts more than a week.
* Your sty is accompanied by blurred vision.
* A hard lump (chalazion) develops on the lid itself.
What Your Symptom Is Telling You
A sty is a lot like a pimple. It's swollen, red and sometimes painful, and it gives you that same sinking feeling when you look in the mirror. The only thing that distinguishes it, really, is its particularly sensitive location.
Sties are the result of an infected oil gland at the base of the eyelash. You can get more than one sty at a time or several in succession because the infection can spread from one hair follicle to others. Infection can occur, for example, when a contaminated mascara or makeup brush gives bacteria a free ride into the oily pores along the lashes. People who have super-oily skin or scalp may be sty-prone, just as they may be acne-prone, according to Kenneth Kauvar, M.D., assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver and author of Eyes Only.
Symptom Relief
Like pimples, sties are usually harmless and disappear on their own, says Dr. Kauvar. Here's how you can help clear them up.
Drain, don't squeeze. "Popping a sty could push bacteria into your bloodstream and transport the infection to the brain," says Dr. Kauvar. Instead, drain the sty naturally and promote healing blood flow by applying a warm washcloth to your closed lid, he advises. Apply the washcloth for 15 minutes four times a day. You should notice improvement in a day or so, says Dr. Kauvar.
Take it to the doctor. If the sty worsens or remains after a week, your doctor can prescribe an antibiotic or steroid to reduce inflammation or lance the sty in a painless office procedure.
Keep a clean upper lid. As with facial acne, you need to keep your eyelids clean and oil-free, especially if you have recurrent sties, says Dr. Kauvar. "The easiest way to do this is to dip a cotton swab in diluted baby shampoo and use it to clean the base of the lashes," he says.
Take a break from eye makeup. Resume applying eye makeup only after your sty is gone. And toss the mascara you were using before the sty appeared and replace all eye makeup brushes to prevent further infection.
Ditch that dandruff. Dandruff can fall onto eyelids and trigger a sty, says Dr. Kauvar. |
From: http://www.mothernature.com/Library/bookshelf/Books/16/218.cfm |
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Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:05 pm |
Don't be sad! I'm with sharkbait - it sounds like a sty to me! I used to get them quite often when I was a kid..it used to really hurt when I blinked...eventually it would "release" (usually in a few days)...I used to put warm compresses on them and they would usually let go really quickly....I used to put polysporin ointment on them as well...If it is a sty - whatever you do - keep your eye area clean!! of make-up and don't play with it! Go see your doc just to make sure it isn't anything serious (but it sounds JUST like a sty  )
Good luck!
Pudoodles |
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Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:06 pm |
I agree! It is probably a sty! I would follow the advise posted EXCEPT I would NEVER through away my eye brushes!!!!  I would much rather disinfect them with a good wash and dry than trash that investment. My brushes are expensive!!!!!! |
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27 without sign of aging (yet), southern Cali resident, oily skin, I.D. Bare Minerals "buffer", Peter Thomas Roth lover, light skin complexion with golden undertones, naturally curly brown hair, brown eyes, race = Black, Irish, Cherokee. |
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Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:38 pm |
| it's probably no biggie, most of them go away in a couple of days. don't worry!! if not, your doctor will help you out. |
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Tue Nov 14, 2006 1:35 pm |
From LOTS of personal experience.. it is probably a sty. If you can't get to the docs any time soon, just use a clean and warm/hot cloth to cover the area to help relieve the pain. And a simple course of antiobiotics should help clear it up - unlike mine which all had to be surgically removed  |
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Tue Nov 14, 2006 1:41 pm |
Yes, it sounds like a sty. I had two in my late teens (I remember them distinctly!). They're awful and I know how you feel. I just felt like a monster. I agree with the hot compresses, and just keeping it clean. Basically, it's a zit.
However, if it doesn't go away within a week or so, you may have to have it lanced. (EEK!) I never had to this, but my boyfriend did. His stuck around for a month, and the dr called it something else at that point. But I think it was just a sty that my BF never tended to. |
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Tue Nov 14, 2006 2:12 pm |
Ohhh thank all of you so much! I feel so much better. It really does sound like it might be a sty from the symptoms etc. I'm going to start with the warm compresses tonight and keep the eyelid clean.
Sharkbait, that article was very informative and helpful, as were everyone's comments and suggestions.
I hope it goes away soon, I'm going out to North Carolina next week to see my boyfriend for Thanksgiving! I don't want to be a hideous crazy eyed alien girl! |
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Tue Nov 14, 2006 2:44 pm |
| It might also be a chalazion (sp?). I got these frequently as a teenager, and did have to have them lanced on two occasions - not fun. The warm compresses are a good idea, and you may want to clean along the lash line with baby shampoo (this was recommended by my opthalmologist for preventing both stys and chalazion, it will not irritate your eyes). If you're prone to them, they often reoccur - I eventually had to do a three month course of doxycycline in college, but after that have not gotten one since. |
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29; fair skin, dark blonde hair, hazel eyes; very oily skin. Concerns: large pores, improving skin texture and minimizing/preventing signs of aging. |
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Tue Nov 14, 2006 6:47 pm |
I get sties alot...and I've had two infected tear ducts (always the same eye, the right one)...if it doesn't go away in a week, I'd get it checked out.
There's an ointment I use that gets rid of 'em really fast!!! It's simply called "stye"
http://www.medshopexpress.com/136452.html
I'm not recommending this seller or anything...I've never ordered it online...I just get it at my local drugstore... |
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32, Fair Skin, combo/break-out prone. Simple routine of REN No. 1 Purity Cleansing Balm and Argan oil as a moisturizer; Clarisonic when needed. That's it! |
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Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:29 pm |
| Pulsatilla is what I recommend, as a remedy for styes it has no equal; it causes them to abort before pus has formed. |
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Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:24 am |
Dahli -
What exactly is Pulsatilla and how would you apply it? Is it a supplement of some sort? Would you take it internally or otherwise?
Thank you for your suggestion! |
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Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:54 am |
| If is's a sty, you can also try applying really hot to it with a washcloth. The hottest water you can stand! Do this several times a day and it will help. |
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normal to dry skin, slightly sensitive, early 40s |
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Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:56 am |
| Sorry, I meant to say you can also try applying really hot water to it with a washcloth. The hottest water you can stand! Do this several times a day and it will help. |
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normal to dry skin, slightly sensitive, early 40s |
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Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:02 am |
| Mammamia wrote: |
| Sorry, I meant to say you can also try applying really hot water to it with a washcloth. The hottest water you can stand! Do this several times a day and it will help. |
What my opthalmologist suggested was to dampen a washcloth and microwave it for a few seconds to get it hotter than through tap water alone. That way, you can sit with it on your eye longer before having to reheat - just unfold it and flip it over when it starts to cool down. |
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29; fair skin, dark blonde hair, hazel eyes; very oily skin. Concerns: large pores, improving skin texture and minimizing/preventing signs of aging. |
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Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:19 pm |
| I have good news! After much tender loving care, lots of steaming sessions, a couple washings with baby soap and 2 rounds of tea bag compresses, my eyelid looks 95% better today. It's barely red and doesn't hurt anymore. Thanks to all of you and your wonderful suggestions. This forum is such an amazing group of knowledgeable people - I'm so glad I found it! |
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Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:35 pm |
| makeupfiend wrote: |
| I have good news! After much tender loving care, lots of steaming sessions, a couple washings with baby soap and 2 rounds of tea bag compresses, my eyelid looks 95% better today. It's barely red and doesn't hurt anymore. Thanks to all of you and your wonderful suggestions. This forum is such an amazing group of knowledgeable people - I'm so glad I found it! |
Woo hoo!   |
_________________
29; fair skin, dark blonde hair, hazel eyes; very oily skin. Concerns: large pores, improving skin texture and minimizing/preventing signs of aging. |
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