Styes are caused by inflammation of the eyelashes and resultant infection
When every blink of the eyes makes you conscious of pain, with a sort of heaviness accompanied by swelling of the upper lid, it is likely that the cause of suffering is a stye.
Just like every strand of hair takes root from the follicle, so do the lashes of the eyelids from the `brim’. This gland could sometimes get infected with bacteria, commonly staphylococcus, which leads to inflammation and subsequently, there is a fine accumulation of pus. This pus appears as the stye and the accumulation causes pain and heaviness.
The stye could gradually increase in size as it spreads laterally along the eyelid and the swelling is likely to brush along the conjunctiva and rarely along the cornea leading to inflammatory changes in those areas.
Pain is the commonest symptom due to heaviness as the pus does not break out. Redness of the areas of the conjunctiva is common. The friction could also lead to watering of the eyes. If there is a secondary infection, sticking of the eyes on waking becomes very likely.
The above symptoms should generally resolve in a week or less than two weeks.
Sometimes, the swelling tends to reduce but remains as a fine, small, hard nodule on the eyelid which is termed as Chalazion. This is because of the sebum secreted by the cells in the lid, which gets occluded. But this does not increase in size. People who suffer from styes frequently are likely to get Chalazion too.
Prevention and treatment
If you suffer frequently from nasal catarrh and have a discharge, rubbing the eyes during that time can cause infection to spread.
So desist from doing so. Some people are prone to dusty, smoky, cold or warm environments triggering an appearance of a stye. In such cases, adequate protection should be taken against the cause. If you are already suffering from a stye, apply warm fomentation at least three to four times a day encouraging the pus to break out. Washing the eyes with tepid water also helps.
Homeopathic medicine offers good remedies to get rid of the stye in quick time. Redness and watering of the eyes can be cured by Euphrasia.
If the problem is brought on by nasal catarrh, Allium Cepa is recommended. The swelling of the eyes can be alleviated by Apis Mel and Pulsatilla. Sulphur is a common prescription if recurrence is a problem. Staphysagria, Thuja and Calcarea flour are good remedies for “hardened styes” or Chalazion.
