When it comes to eye issues, it can be tempting to panic and rush to an emergency room or doctor. A stye is a commonly eye infection. A stye is a red bump that forms on the eye and eyelids when an oil gland or eyelash follicle becomes clogged, causing symptoms like puffy or watery eyes. They can be painful and for people that aren’t familiar with them, they may feel that they need immediate medical attention. But although there is nothing wrong with exercising caution, oftentimes a stye can be managed just fine with at-home care.
Keep reading to learn more about stye, how to treat them at home, and when you should go to the ER for a stye on the eye.
How to Treat a Stye at Home
Generally, a stye is a common and relatively harmless condition. Follow these tips for safely treating a stye at home:
Apply a warm compress
- This will help to ease inflammation and soothe any pain you may be experiencing. Do this for up to 15 minutes, 3-4 times a day.
Keep the affected area clean
- It is important to keep the area clean so that bacteria doesn’t fester in the area and potentially spread.
Avoid touching or rubbing your eye
- Doing this may aggravate the lesion and could potentially spread bacteria, so it’s best to employ a hands-off policy until the stye heals.
Avoid wearing eye makeup or contact lenses while the stye heals
- This can irritate and further clog any oil glands or eyelash follicles.
Do not try to pop the stye.
- Styes are not pimples. They should NEVER be popped unless your doctor decibels that it needs to be drained and treated by a medical professional. Trying to pop a stye on your own could lead to serious complications and make it take longer to heal.
If you notice that you have been getting styes more frequently and your doctor can’t narrow down any medical cause, it may be helpful to look at your hygiene habits to prevent these painful bumps in the future. Sleeping in eye makeup can cause clog follicles around your eye and make you more prone to styes. It is also important to replace frequently used eye makeup every 3-6 months to avoid bacteria growth that can cause a bacterial infection. If you wear contacts, keep your hands clean when handling them.
Can You Go Blind From a Stye?
A stye typically isn’t something that you should be concerned about, so the likelihood of one causing a serious complication like blindness is very slim. However, if your vision has become blurred, obstructed, or the stye has gotten so bad that it causes your eye to swell shut, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Can Urgent Care Treat a Stye?
Mostly people asked, should i go to urgent care for stye? The answer is no, Not all styes need to be seen by a doctor, but if you think that your stye requires medical attention, visiting an emergency center can give you answers and potentially pain relief. A doctor may prescribe you antibiotic ointments, drain the stye, or suggest surgery to have it removed if it is very bad or recurring.
Visit Village Emergency Centers Today
At Village Emergency Centers, we understand that an eye issue can be particularly alarming. While no one wants to make an unnecessary trip to the doctor, it’s better to be safe than sorry. We offer expert care at our locations across the Greater Houston area with little to no wait so your emergency can be dealt with as swiftly as possible. Your vision isn’t something you should risk, and with affordable care options and no surprise billing, there is no reason that you should wait if you feel that you need to see a doctor.
If you are still wondering if you should go to the ER for a stye on the eye, contact us today. r Whether you need an ER in Jersey Village or League City, visit a location near you for prompt and reliable emergency care. Our team is here to provide expert treatment whenever you need it most, ensuring your health and safety are always our top priority.