(The spelling of this word is enough to drive a person crazy. Apparently, sty, stye, sties, and styes are all correct.)
Over the last semester or so, it appears Becky has been plagued by styes. She finally went to the health clinic and was given some antibiotic eye drops. But she hasn’t been impressed. Her condition hasn’t improved much. And so I figured it would be a good topic to research.
From The Ship’s Medicine Chest and Medical Aid at Sea:
A sty is an abscess of the small oil glands along the margin of an eyelid. There is usually a painful red lump in the eyelid which may increase in size, finally open, and drain pus.
Treatment
Treatment for a sty consists of (1) frequent hot moist soaks )at least four times daily, for 15 minutes each time); (2) antibiotic eye drops as polymyxin B–neomycin-gramicidin four times a day, following a hot soak; and (3) antibiotic eye ointment as polymyxin B-neomycin-bacitracin at bedtime for one week after the sty drains. A sty should not be squeezed or lanced. After the infection subsides, a small lump occasionally remains which usually disappears slowly in a period of several weeks. The lump may persist and if it is large enough will require drainage by a physician.
[This concludes the information from The Ship’s Medicine Chest.]
RISK FACTORS
Poor hygiene, either by rubbing eyes with dirty hands, or by not washing hands well before inserting or removing contact lenses, or sleeping with contact lenses, increases the risk of developing a stye.[1]
Chlorine and sweat can also increase the risk of a stye. People should wash the face and eyes well after swimming and other forms of exercise. Chlorine-resistant bacteria can cause a stye, while sweat and oil can clog the eyelid’s oil glands and result in infection.[2]
Makeup and lash extensions attract a lot of dirt and bacteria, both of which can clog the oil glands. Makeup should be replaced every 3-6 months. If you have a stye, don’t use makeup at all. Purchase new makeup to use after the stye is resolved.[3]
Certain medical conditions like rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and uncontrolled diabetes may all contribute to an increased risk of developing styes. With Meibomian gland dysfunction (which is probably what Becky has), the Meibomian glands (the tiny oil glands that line the margins of the eyelids) become clogged and do not secrete the oil necessary to lubricate the eyes properly. The eyelids become irritated and more susceptible to infection.[4]
TREATMENT
Warm moist compresses will help bring the sty to a head and allow it to drain. Do not lance the sty.
Conventional
Tobramycin antibiotic eye drops, per directions on bottle, making sure to keep the bottle 2-3 inches above the eye to avoid contamination.[5]
Alternative
Chamomile or goldenseal tea bag applied to the closed, affected eye, 10 minutes every 2 hours[6]
Chamomile or eyebright tea, cooled, used as eyewash, 3-4 times per day[7]
1 teaspoon baking soda in 2 cups cool water, used as an eyewash, 3-4 times per day[8]
1 tablespoon honey dissolved in 1 cup hot water, cooled, used as an eyewash, 3-4 times per day[9]
Boil 2 teaspoons rosewater and add 1 drop of chamomile essential oil. Strain through paper coffee filter and let cool slightly. Put 1 drop of lavender essential oil on a cotton ball and wipe it into the cheekbone, under the affected eye, keeping the eye closed to prevent irritation. Soak a cotton ball in the rosewater-chamomile liquid and apply it to closed eyelid. Leave until cool. Repeat process 2 times per day for 3 days. In addition, blend together the following essential oils: 5 drops each rosemary and geranium, 2 drops eucalyptus, 3 drops peppermint in 1 tablespoon of carrier oil. Use 5 drops of this combination and massage it in around the neck and ears and over the cheekbone, nose, and forehead.[10]
PREVENTION
Future styes may be prevented by regularly cleansing the eyelids with a warm, moist cotton ball and a little baby shampoo.[11]
COMPLICATIONS
If a sty spreads to the face, it may develop into cellulitis and should be treated as such.
Links to related posts:
[1] MK Manoylov, What causes a stye and the best ways to get rid of one featuring Singh, Duke Ophthalmology, 20 April 2020, https://dukeeyecenter.duke.edu/news-events/what-causes-stye-and-best-ways-get-rid-one-featuring-singh (accessed 5 April 2022).
[2] MK Manoylov, What causes a stye and the best ways to get rid of one featuring Singh, Duke Ophthalmology, 20 April 2020, https://dukeeyecenter.duke.edu/news-events/what-causes-stye-and-best-ways-get-rid-one-featuring-singh (accessed 5 April 2022).
[3] MK Manoylov, What causes a stye and the best ways to get rid of one featuring Singh, Duke Ophthalmology, 20 April 2020, https://dukeeyecenter.duke.edu/news-events/what-causes-stye-and-best-ways-get-rid-one-featuring-singh (accessed 5 April 2022).
[4] Meibomian gland dysfunction and treatment, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, https://www.aapos.org/glossary/meibomian-gland-dysfunction-and-treatment (accessed 5 April 2022).
[5] Joseph Alton, Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, 2018, 39.
[6] Joseph Alton, Survival Medicine Handbook, 2013, 430.
[7] Joseph Alton, Survival Medicine Handbook, 2013, 430.
[8] Joseph Alton, Survival Medicine Handbook, 2013, 430.
[9] Joseph Alton, Survival Medicine Handbook, 2013, 430.
[10] Valerie Ann Worwood, Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy, 1991, 40.
[11] Joseph Alton, Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, 2018, 40.
4.6.22
One facility I used to work at shortly after start up it was noticed that the guys in the water plant seemed to have an styes and pink eye in a very high rate. They were testing waste water samples (sewage plant effluent) and because they were not practicing proper hand hygiene after doing the test a random wipe across the eyes was infecting them.
ReplyDeleteI would suspect that in a post collapse situation these sorts of random, accidental contamination of the eye will be much greater and the need for proper hygiene will be greater.
Exile1981