Stye is an abscess in one of the glands of the eyelash follicles. It points on the outer side of the lid margin. The inflammatoryreaction can surround both the conjunctiva and the skin. They occasionally occur in crops. Similar to an acne pimple, a stye also forms when a tiny oil gland near the eyelashes becomes blocked and gets infected.

SYMPTOMS OF STYE

Signs and symptoms of a sty include:

• A red lump on your eyelid that is similar to a boil or a pimple
• Eyelid pain
• Eyelid swelling
• Tearing

Another condition that causes inflammation of the eyelid is a chalazion. A chalazion occurs when there's a blockage in one of the small oil glands near the eyelashes. Unlike a sty, a chalazion usually isn't painful and tends to be most prominent on the inner side of the eyelid. Treatment for both conditions is similar.

CAUSES OF STYE

A sty is caused by an infection of oil glands in the eyelid. The bacterium staphylococcus is commonly responsible for most of these infections.

RISK FACTORS

One are at increased risk of a stye if they

• Touch eyes with unwashed hands
• Insert contact lenses without thoroughly disinfecting them or washing hands first
• Leave on eye makeup overnight
• Use old or expired cosmetics
• Have blepharitis, a chronic inflammation along the edge of the eyelid
• Have rosacea, a skin condition characterized by facial redness

PREVENTION OF STYE

To prevent eye infections:

• Wash hands regularly.
• Take care with cosmetics.
• Make sure that contact lenses are clean.
• Apply warm compresses.
• Manage blepharitis.

HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE FOR STYE

STAPHYSAGRIA : Very usefull for recurrent styes.Suited to that stye does not break or suppurate,it remains as a hard nodule.There is dry eyes with lachrymation.There is itching in margins of the lids.Helpful for nodes in the inner canthi and eyelids.Useful when nodes are very sensitive and the least touch aggravates the pain and warm application ameliorates the pain

APIS MEL : Useful medicine for styes.There is red, swollen, puffy like water bags eyelids.There is hot lachrymation and sudden piercing pains around orbits.

GRAPHITES : Very useful for stye which is like cystic tumour.There is feeling of heaviness in eye and constant falling of eyelids which is red and swollen.There is dryness of the lids.

PULSATILLA : Useful for stye in lids which are recurrent,inflamed and agglutinated. There is excessive lachrymation.Useful for thick, profuse, yellow, bland discharges with itching and burning in eyes.There is burning and itching in the eyes.

SEPIA : Useful for stye which are especially present with uterine complaints as concomitant.Useful for styes which are generally seen on the upper eyelid.There is red and itchy eyelids.

RL10