How long does a stye typically last. What are the most common symptoms of a stye. Can you treat a stye at home. When should you see a doctor for a stye. Are there ways to prevent styes from occurring.

Understanding Styes: What They Are and How They Form

A stye, also known as a hordeolum, is a common eye condition characterized by a small, painful lump on or inside the eyelid. These bothersome bumps are typically caused by a bacterial infection in an eyelash follicle or oil gland. While styes can be uncomfortable, they are generally harmless and often resolve on their own within a week or two.

Styes can affect either the upper or lower eyelid and may occur on the outer or inner side. In some cases, a person may develop multiple styes simultaneously or experience recurring styes over time. Understanding the nature of styes is crucial for proper identification and treatment.

Types of Styes

• External stye: Forms at the base of an eyelash
• Internal stye: Develops in an oil gland within the eyelid

Do styes always appear as a visible bump? Not necessarily. In some cases, a stye may manifest as general swelling or redness of the eyelid without a distinct lump. This can make it challenging to differentiate from other eye conditions, such as conjunctivitis or blepharitis.

Recognizing Stye Symptoms: Key Indicators to Watch For

Identifying a stye early can help expedite the healing process and prevent potential complications. While symptoms may vary from person to person, there are several common signs to be aware of:

• A small, red, painful lump on or inside the eyelid
• Swelling and redness around the affected area
• Tenderness or pain when touching the eyelid
• Watery eyes or increased tear production
• Sensitivity to light
• A feeling of grittiness or discomfort in the eye
• Crusting along the eyelid margin

Is it possible to have a stye without experiencing pain? While most styes are accompanied by discomfort, some individuals may have a painless stye, particularly in its early stages. However, even painless styes should be monitored closely for any changes or signs of progression.

The Life Cycle of a Stye: Duration and Healing Process

Many people wonder about the typical duration of a stye. On average, a stye lasts between two to five days, but some may persist for up to two weeks. The healing process can be divided into several stages:

1. Initial formation: The stye begins as a small, red bump
2. Swelling and pain: The area becomes more inflamed and tender
3. Pus formation: A yellow or white head may develop
4. Drainage: The stye may rupture and release its contents
5. Healing: Swelling subsides, and the area returns to normal

Can the healing process be accelerated? While styes typically resolve on their own, certain home remedies and treatments can help speed up recovery and alleviate symptoms. It’s important to note that attempting to pop or drain a stye yourself can lead to further infection and complications.

Effective Home Remedies for Stye Relief and Faster Healing

When dealing with a stye, several home remedies can provide relief and promote faster healing:

• Warm compresses: Apply a clean, warm compress to the affected eye for 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times daily
• Gentle massage: After applying a warm compress, gently massage the area to help promote drainage
• Tea bag therapy: Use a warm, moist tea bag as a compress (black tea contains tannins that may help reduce swelling)
• Proper hygiene: Keep the eye area clean and avoid touching or rubbing the affected eye
• Remove eye makeup: Avoid wearing eye makeup until the stye has healed
• Over-the-counter pain relievers: Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to manage pain and discomfort

Are natural remedies as effective as medical treatments for styes? While home remedies can be helpful, they should not replace professional medical advice, especially for severe or persistent styes. If symptoms worsen or persist beyond a week, it’s advisable to consult an eye care professional.

When to Seek Medical Attention: Red Flags and Complications

While most styes resolve without medical intervention, certain situations warrant professional care. Be alert for the following red flags:

• Severe pain or swelling that interferes with vision
• Styes that persist for more than two weeks
• Recurring styes or multiple styes
• Fever or chills accompanying the stye
• Redness or swelling spreading beyond the eyelid
• Discharge from the eye or eyelid
• Vision changes or blurriness

Should you see a general practitioner or an eye specialist for a stye? For most cases, a general practitioner can provide appropriate care. However, if the stye is severe, recurring, or accompanied by vision problems, an ophthalmologist or optometrist may be recommended for specialized treatment.

Medical Treatments and Interventions for Stubborn Styes

When home remedies prove insufficient, medical treatments may be necessary to address persistent or severe styes. Healthcare providers may recommend:

• Topical antibiotic ointments or drops
• Oral antibiotics for widespread infection
• Steroid injections to reduce inflammation
• Incision and drainage procedure for large or internal styes
• Removal of the affected eyelash to promote drainage

Is surgical intervention ever necessary for a stye? In rare cases where a stye does not respond to conservative treatments or becomes chronic, minor surgery may be recommended. This typically involves making a small incision to drain the stye and remove any infected tissue.

Preventing Styes: Practical Tips for Eye Health Maintenance

While it’s not always possible to prevent styes, certain practices can reduce your risk:

• Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes
• Remove eye makeup before bed: Use gentle, oil-free makeup removers
• Replace eye makeup regularly: Discard old products that may harbor bacteria
• Clean eyelids daily: Use a mild baby shampoo or eyelid cleanser to remove debris and oil
• Manage underlying conditions: Treat chronic conditions like blepharitis or rosacea that may increase stye risk
• Avoid sharing personal items: Don’t share towels, washcloths, or eye makeup with others
• Use proper contact lens hygiene: Clean and store lenses as directed, and replace them as scheduled

Can dietary changes help prevent styes? While there’s limited scientific evidence, some believe that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and C may support overall eye health and potentially reduce the risk of styes. However, maintaining good hygiene practices remains the most effective preventive measure.

Understanding the Link Between Styes and Other Eye Conditions

Styes don’t occur in isolation; they can be associated with or mistaken for other eye conditions. It’s important to understand these relationships:

Styes and Chalazia

A chalazion is often confused with a stye due to its similar appearance. However, a chalazion is a non-infectious, painless bump caused by a blocked oil gland. Unlike styes, chalazia tend to be larger and may persist for weeks or months.

Styes and Blepharitis

Blepharitis, a chronic inflammation of the eyelids, can increase the risk of developing styes. Proper management of blepharitis through regular eyelid hygiene can help prevent recurrent styes.

Styes and Conjunctivitis

While conjunctivitis (pink eye) affects the conjunctiva rather than the eyelid, it can sometimes be mistaken for a stye in its early stages. Both conditions can cause redness and discomfort, but conjunctivitis typically affects the entire eye rather than a localized area.

Is it possible for a stye to lead to more serious eye problems? In rare cases, untreated or severe styes can lead to complications such as cellulitis (a skin infection) or preseptal cellulitis (infection of the eyelid and surrounding tissue). This underscores the importance of proper care and seeking medical attention when necessary.

By understanding the nature of styes, recognizing their symptoms, and knowing how to manage them effectively, you can minimize discomfort and promote faster healing. Remember that while most styes are benign and self-limiting, persistent or severe cases warrant professional medical attention to ensure optimal eye health and prevent potential complications.

Stye – NHS

Styes are common and should clear up on their own within 1 or 2 weeks. They’re rarely a sign of anything serious, but may be painful until they heal.

Check if you have a stye

A stye is a small, painful lump on or inside the eyelid or around the eye.

Credit:

Cn Boon / Alamy Stock Photo https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-eye-stye-14783282.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=9AEC8DFF-2B63-49E1-95E3-559FC938EDC2&p=14162&n=0&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo%3dbar%26st%3d0%26pn%3d1%26ps%3d100%26sortby%3d3%26resultview%3dsortbyRelevant%26npgs%3d0%26qt%3dstye%26qt_raw%3dstye%26lic%3d3%26mr%3d0%26pr%3d0%26ot%3d0%26creative%3d%26ag%3d0%26hc%3d0%26pc%3d%26blackwhite%3d%26cutout%3d%26tbar%3d1%26et%3d0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3d0%26loc%3d0%26imgt%3d0%26dtfr%3d%26dtto%3d%26size%3d0xFF%26archive%3d1%26groupid%3d%26pseudoid%3d%26a%3d%26cdid%3d%26cdsrt%3d%26name%3d%26qn%3d%26apalib%3d%26apalic%3d%26lightbox%3d%26gname%3d%26gtype%3d%26xstx%3d0%26simid%3d%26saveQry%3d%26editorial%3d%26nu%3d%26t%3d%26edoptin%3d%26bespoke%3d4%26customgeoip%3dGB%26apaid%3d%7b18B189B6-6A83-41BD-8442-2448A6B7E281%7d%26custspecid%3d14369B5F-24B7-4344-B743-D5DE569A1F46%26cap%3d1%26cbstore%3d1%26vd%3d0%26lb%3d%26fi%3d2%26edrf%3d0%26ispremium%3d1%26flip%3d0%26pl%3d

The skin around the stye may be swollen and red and the stye may be filled with yellow pus. The redness may be harder to see on brown and black skin.

Credit:

WESTERN OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/252333/view

Your eye may be red and watery but your vision should not be affected.

Credit:

FRANCOISE SAUZE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/252669/view

A stye usually only affects 1 eye, but it’s possible to have more than 1 at a time.

It’s probably not a stye if:

• there’s no lump – if your eye or eyelid is swollen, red and watery it’s more likely to be conjunctivitis or blepharitis
• the lump is hard but not very painful – it’s more likely to be a chalazion

How you can treat a stye yourself

To reduce swelling and help the stye heal:

1. Soak a clean flannel in warm water.
2. Hold it against your eye for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Repeat this 3 or 4 times a day.

To relieve the pain, take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Do not give aspirin to children under 16.

Avoid wearing contact lenses and eye make-up until the stye has burst and healed.

Important:
Do not burst a stye

Do not try to burst a stye or remove an eyelash yourself. This can spread the infection.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if your stye:

• is very painful or swollen
• does not get better within a few weeks
• affects your vision

Treatment from a GP

If you have a stye, the GP may:

• burst the stye with a thin, sterilised needle
• remove the eyelash closest to the stye
• refer you to an eye specialist in hospital

You cannot always prevent a stye

Styes are often caused by bacteria infecting an eyelash follicle or eyelid gland.

You’re also more likely to get a stye if you have long-term blepharitis or rosacea.

You can help avoid styes by keeping your eyes clean.

Do

• wash your face and remove eye make-up before bed

• replace your eye make-up every 6 months

• keep your eyelids and eyelashes clean, especially if you have blepharitis

Don’t

• do not share towels or flannels with someone who has a stye

• do not rub your eyes if you have not recently washed your hands

• do not put contact lenses in before washing your hands

Page last reviewed: 26 February 2021
Next review due: 26 February 2024

How Long Does a Stye Last, and How Can You Make It Heal Faster?

A stye is a common eye condition that can happen to anyone. It usually lasts for two to five days. In some cases, a stye may last for a week or longer.

A stye (or sty) is a small, red, painful bump near the edge of the eyelid. It’s also called a hordeolum.

You can get a stye on your upper or lower eyelid. It usually forms on the outer side of the eyelid, but it can form on the inner side of the eyelid as well. You may have a stye in just one eye or both.

A stye might look like a tiny pimple or swelling along your eyelash line. It may form a small, round bump or cause your entire eyelid or eye area to swell.

You may also experience:

• eyelid redness
• pain, stinging, or tenderness
• sore or scratchy eye
• tearing or watery eye
• crusting or oozing along the lash line
• sensitivity to bright light
• pus from the area
• sore or scratchy eye
• blurry vision

A bacterial infection usually causes a stye. Pus or liquid may fill the swollen area.

A stye that happens on the outer side of your eyelid is usually the result of an infection at the bottom of your eyelash.

A stye that develops on the inner side of your eyelid is most likely from an infection in one of the oil-producing glands that line your eyelids. These glands help keep your eyes and lashes healthy.

risks for getting a stye

You may have a higher risk for getting a stye if you have:

• dry skin
• hormonal changes
• dandruff
• acne
• rosacea
• dermatitis
• other eye conditions
• diabetes
• high cholesterol

In most cases you won’t need treatment for a stye. It’ll get smaller and go away on its own in two to five days.

If you need treatment, antibiotics will normally clear up a stye in three days to a week. A healthcare provider will need to prescribe them to you.

At-home care can help relieve pain and swelling of a stye.

Avoid touching the area directly with your fingers. This can spread the infection or make it worse.

Follow these steps to soothe and clean the area around a stye:

1. Boil a new washcloth in water to help make sure it’s clean and sterile.
2. Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
3. Let the washcloth cool until it’s warm enough to touch.
4. Gently apply it to your eyelid with the stye.
5. Hold the washcloth against the area for up to 15 minutes.
6. Release and repeat three to five times a day.
7. Clean any discharge from your eye by wiping with a clean washcloth and a mild soap, like baby shampoo.

See your doctor or other healthcare provider if the stye doesn’t go away or begin to get smaller after two days. A different eye condition may be causing your eye irritation and require treatment.

Your doctor can diagnose a stye by looking at your eye and eyelid.

Tell your doctor immediately if you have blurry vision after getting a stye. This might happen if your eyelid swells so much that it’s pressing against your eye. Also let your doctor know if you have eye pain.

Some eye conditions can raise your risk for getting a stye. Blepharitis is a condition that happens when your entire lash line is infected. You may see oily flakes similar to dandruff at the base of your eyelashes.

Blepharitis can cause redness and swelling along the entire edge of your eyelid. It’s most common in people with oily skin, dry eyes, or dandruff. You may need treatment for blepharitis to prevent styes from forming.

Your doctor may recommend medications and treatment for your stye, such as:

• antibiotic ointment, like erythromycin
• antibiotic eye drops
• oral antibiotic medication
• incision and drainage to allow the infection to come out (you may need antibiotics after the procedure)
• steroid injection in the eyelid to help reduce swelling

The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises that styes aren’t contagious. You can’t catch it from someone else who has a stye.

You can, however, spread the bacterial infection to other areas of your own eyelid or eyes. This can happen if you touch, squeeze, or rub the stye. You may also worsen the stye and cause it to swell more.

If you have a stye, avoid:

• touching the area directly with your fingers
• squeezing or popping the stye
• wearing contact lenses
• wearing eye makeup

Scar tissue can form in your eyelid if you have a very serious stye or don’t get treatment as needed. This can leave a small, hard lump or nodule in the eyelid. Your doctor may need to remove this if it’s affecting your vision or eyelid.

See your doctor if you have any kind of bump on the eyelid that doesn’t go away. They can make sure it’s not another condition that needs prompt treatment. Skin cancer and other conditions can form a tiny lump on the eyelids.

You can get a stye for no reason at all. You may not always be able to prevent one. However, you can reduce your risk for a stye by practicing good hygiene. Here are some tips:

• Wash your hands carefully with soap and warm water several times a day, especially before touching your face or eyes.
• Clean contact lenses with lens disinfectant cleaning solution. Discard used daily-wear contact lenses and put in a fresh pair.
• Avoid sleeping while wearing contact lenses or eye makeup.
• Wash your face to remove dirt, makeup, sweat, and excess oil before going to bed and after working out.
• Clean makeup brushes carefully and regularly. Avoid sharing makeup or brushes with anyone else.
• Throw away old or expired makeup.

A stye is a common eye infection. It normally lasts for a few days. You may not need treatment. At-home care can help relieve symptoms.

Anyone can get a stye. You can’t always prevent it, but good hygiene, especially around your eyes, can help reduce your risk for getting a stye.

Styes aren’t contagious, but you can spread the infection around the same eye or into your other eye.

See your doctor if your stye doesn’t go away or get better after two days. You may need antibiotic treatment. Be sure to take your antibiotics exactly as prescribed.

See your doctor for a follow-up appointment to make sure the stye has cleared up properly.

What is barley and what causes it?

From Amber McManes and Adam Debrowski; reviewed by Shane Kannarr, OD

What is barley?

Styes is an inflammatory process in the area of ​​the eyelid that causes a painful red lump at the edge of the eyelid. A stye (also known as hordeolum) is caused by a bacterial infection and can be located at the base of the eyelashes (outer stye) or in the area of ​​the sebaceous gland on the eyelid (inner stye).

When the sebaceous glands or hair follicles are clogged with make-up, dead skin cells or dirt particles, bacteria get in and cause an infection. Such infection of the gland causes barley.

Barley species

1. External (outer) barley: located at the base of the eyelashes.

2. Internal stye: stye in the area of ​​the sebaceous gland on the eyelid.

In addition to styes caused by blockage of the sebaceous gland, a lump or lump on the eyelid can be due to milia, chalazion, scratches or, in extremely rare cases, oncology.

What causes barley?

The causative agent of barley is Staphylococcus aureus. Bacteria from the nose easily enters the eyes when you rub your hands first on your nose and then on your eyes.

Bacteria cause inflammation or infection of the eyelash follicle and the sebaceous gland, the duct of which is located at the base of the eyelash. When the duct is clogged, sebum accumulates inside the gland. The gland swells and becomes inflamed, as a result of which barley develops.

The most common causes of styes are:

• from touching or rubbing the eyes

• Inflammation of the eyelid from blepharitis

• from using contaminated make-up products

• insufficient cleaning of the eyelids and removal of make-up

• occurrence of barley in the past

• diseases:

Symptoms and signs of barley 9000 5

Symptoms of barley:

After the onset of symptoms, a small bump appears on the affected area, often painful. Usually this process is accompanied by swelling of the eyes. Sometimes the eyelid area around the barley swells, and sometimes the entire eyelid. If your eye hurts more than your eyelid, see an ophthalmologist

Where does barley usually appear?

Styes can usually be localized in the following places:

In case of internal styes, it is recommended to consult a doctor. External (outer) barley can be cured at home. But if the illness lasts more than one week, see your doctor.

8 things to know about barley:

1. Does barley cause vision problems?

Barley does not affect the ability to see well near or far. If styes make your vision worse, see your doctor.

2. Is barley contagious?

Usually barley is not contagious. But there is a possibility of transmission of bacteria from person to person. This can happen if a person with stye touches their own eye and the bacteria from it gets into another person’s eye.

3.

How long does barley last?

Usually styes clear up in 3-7 days, but can last up to two weeks. You can speed up the healing process by applying a warm compress for 10 to 15 minutes three or four times a day for several days.

This will ease the pain and stretch the stye. Usually after that, the barley opens and passes without any further manipulation.

Sometimes simple home remedies, such as compresses, are not enough to get rid of stye, and medication or even surgery is required.

4. Can barley be crushed?

Barley, like a pimple, should not be pressed. In no case do not try to squeeze out the barley. Wait until it pops up on its own.

Styes that develop inside the eyelid (and are called internal) may not break open and go away on their own. This type of stye is quite serious and you may need the help of an ophthalmologist to open and clean it.

If you tend to get stye often, your ophthalmologist may prescribe an antibiotic ointment. Your doctor may also recommend wiping your eyelids daily with damp cotton pads to reduce the risk of styes and blepharitis.

5. What eye diseases can be accompanied by barley?

If you have stye, you may also experience frequent tearing of the affected eye, high photosensitivity, and a feeling as if something is “into” the eye (this symptom is called foreign body sensation in the eye”).

6. Can stress cause barley?

The direct effect of stress on the appearance of barley has not been proven. As you know, the cause of barley is an infection. Therefore, anything that reduces your immunity, namely stress or lack of sleep, can cause a predisposition to barley. Moreover, due to lack of sleep, a person rubs his eyes more often, which can be a risk factor.

7. Why do I get styes all the time?

If you often get stye, you may not have eliminated the risk factors that cause it, namely: insufficient hygiene for cleaning the eyelids, irritation or itching in the eyes, rubbing of the eyes, insufficient or infrequent cleaning of contact lenses.

8. How to diagnose barley?

An external examination is sufficient to make a diagnosis, no tests are required.

How to treat barley?

There are a number of recommendations for treating barley at home.

• Clean your eyelids.

• Wash your hands often.

• Use an eyelid wipe.

• Temporarily stop using cosmetics.

• Wear glasses instead of contact lenses.

• Apply warm compresses or a warm cloth.

• Use an antibiotic ointment.

• Gently massage.

For more information see our How to Get Rid of Barley.

How to prevent styes

• Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes

• Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer

• Treat the cause of itchy eyes, such as , allergy

• Eliminate the primary disease, e.g. ophthalmic rosacea, dermatitis or blepharitis

• Use and clean contact lenses as directed.

• Wash your hands in warm soapy water or use hand sanitizer that contains alcohol.

• Do not wear eye makeup or use old make-up products

• Wear glasses instead of contact lenses if possible

Do I need to see a doctor or optometrist if I have styes?

Although in most cases stye resolves fairly quickly, do not hesitate to seek the advice of an ophthalmologist. Your doctor may prescribe an ointment or prescription drug to treat stye.

Seek medical attention if:

Bump on eyelid . MedlinePlus , National Library of Medicine. February 2021

Seborrheic dermatitis . National Eczema Association. As of March 2021

Diabetes mellitus . Mayo Clinic. October 2020

Can barley be crushed? American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). March 2014

Why does something scratch my eye when I blink? American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). March 2019

Page published on Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Barley – symptoms, treatment – Medunion blog

Barley is an acute purulent inflammation in the hair follicle of the eyelash or in the sebaceous gland along the edges of the eyelid. Barley is considered one of the most common diseases of the eyelids.

The inflammation got its name because of its shape, which resembles a grain of barley. The disease is also called hordeolum.

Barley symptoms

Among the main symptoms:

• Eyelid swelling and redness
• Pain and discomfort
• Formation of an abscess on the eyelid that looks like a pimple
• Itching
• Eyelid droop
• Visual impairment
• Discharge of mucus from the eye

Causes of stye on the eye

The main reason why barley is formed is bacteria. They get inside the gland of the eyelid, due to which the excretory duct is clogged. As a result, the accumulation of purulent discharge begins.

Inflammation can occur with a general weakening of the immune system, which begins with:

• Colds
• Diabetes mellitus
• Hypothermia
• Diseases of the endocrine system
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Hormonal imbalance

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of barley. This gram-positive pathogenic bacterium. In the human body, it causes purulent-inflammatory processes, and the resistance of the bacteria allows it to enter the body in various ways, including airborne droplets.

The occurrence of barley is also affected by hygiene. Inflammation can occur in several cases:

• Drying face with dirty towel
• Frequent eye rubbing
• Use of inferior cosmetics
• Work in uncultivated premises or work in difficult climatic conditions

Barley species

Barley can be external or internal.

• External stye – appears from the outside and forms on the hairline of the eyelid.
• Internal stye or meibomite – inflammation of the meibomian glands, formed inside the eyelid. Meibomite is less common than external barley, causes pain and discomfort, and may not always be visible from the outside.

Also barley can be multiple. In such cases, several inflammations appear on the eyelid. With a single barley, only one abscess is formed.

Barley is also subdivided according to the type of localization. Barley can occur on the left eyelid, on the right eyelid, or on both at once. In addition, barley can form both on one eye and on both.

How quickly barley passes

Barley passes in a person quickly enough – within 10 days. The development of inflammation and the recovery process consists of 4 stages:

1. Infiltrative – swelling, redness, itching and slight pain
2. Stage of suppuration – formation of abscess
3. Stage of purulent rupture – cleansing of purulent discharge
4. Healing stage

First there is swelling. Sometimes the swelling in stye can be too severe, causing the person to be unable to open their eyes.

A tubercle on the eyelid is formed 2-3 days after the appearance of edema, then it acquires a yellow or white color and spontaneously opens.

The waste of the contents of the purulent capsule occurs within a few days. After that, the process of healing and restoration of the skin begins.

Complications

Despite the short duration of inflammation, improper treatment of barley can cause complications. Among them:

• Chalazion – inflammation of the cartilage around the meibomian gland. Due to the similarity of manifestations, chalazion can be confused with internal barley. Outwardly, the chalazion is larger than barley, but causes less pain.
• Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye. It is characterized by purulent or mucous secretions, photophobia, sensation of a foreign body in the eye. With the development of conjunctivitis, visual acuity may decrease.
• Meningitis is a severe inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can cause fever and severe headache.
• Sepsis is a purulent infection that occurs after the pathogen enters the bloodstream. The infection is characterized by fever, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, and general weakness.
• Phlegmon of the orbit – purulent diffuse inflammation of the orbital tissue. Among the symptoms: pain in the eyelids and orbits, pain on palpation, decreased vision, fever.
• Vascular plexus thrombosis – impaired outflow of fluid from the orbit. There may be swelling and inflammation of the eyelids.
• Blepharitis – inflammation of the ciliary edge. It manifests itself both on the upper eyelid and on the lower one.

Barley treatment

Barley treatment is divided into conservative and surgical.

Conservative treatment

As a rule, conservative methods are used for the treatment of barley. For this, an ophthalmologist may prescribe ointments or drops with antibiotics. It is not worth buying such ointments for yourself. A suitable drug should be prescribed by a specialist.

They may also recommend making warm compresses and applying them to the eye several times a day. They will help speed up the outflow of pus.

Surgical treatment of barley

The doctor may prescribe surgical treatment to the patient if conservative methods have not helped. With this method, doctors open a purulent bump and remove all secretions. An autopsy is performed under anesthesia.

Barley symptoms may persist for several days after surgery. During this period, the patient needs to regularly treat the wound so that infections do not get into it.

Is it possible to squeeze barley on my own

It is impossible to squeeze or pierce the abscess. Allocations should come out naturally or with the intervention of a specialist. When you try to squeeze out the capsule yourself, you can injure the tissue. Because of this, the infection can enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, leading to complications. It is also important to consider that the purulent focus is close to the brain.

What not to do with barley

In addition to the prohibition on self-extrusion, some other actions should not be performed with barley. During the period of therapy, you can not apply makeup and use cosmetics for the eyes.

Also, you do not need to apply wet lotions to the eyes and rub the inflamed area with your hands. Baths or saunas are not recommended. If possible, do not stay cold for a long time. If this is not possible, then the site of inflammation should be covered.

Folk remedies are also prohibited – washing the eyes with tea, heating with potatoes or an egg.

Diagnosis, and which doctor to contact with barley

With barley, you need to contact an ophthalmologist. This doctor specializes in pathologies and inflammations of the visual apparatus, so he will be able to prescribe an effective treatment for a quick effect.

At the appointment, the ophthalmologist will visually and with lighting examine the eye and turn the eyelids of the patient. In most cases, a visual examination is enough to prescribe treatment. However, with frequent recurrences of inflammation, the patient may be referred to an endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, or dermatologist.

When to see a doctor

It is recommended to consult a specialist immediately after the onset of the first symptoms. In some cases, a person decides to relieve the symptoms on their own or wait until the inflammation goes away on its own. In such a situation, you should consult a doctor 3-4 days after the onset of edema. If during this time the condition has not improved, then the help of a specialist is needed.

Also, an examination by an ophthalmologist is necessary when the cause of the appearance of barley is unknown or in case of serious violations – blurring or a drop in visual acuity.

Why barley appears often

When barley occurs several times a year, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination. Regular inflammation can indicate serious pathologies that lower immunity. For example, about diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, about the pathology of the paranasal sinuses, or about HIV infection. Examination will help to find out the exact cause of relapses.

Is barley contagious

Barley is not contagious and is not transmitted by airborne droplets. It does not require isolation. However, there is still a chance of getting inflammation from another person. The reason for this is non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene. If a person with stye touched their eye and then did not wash their hands, the infection could be passed on to another person. Such a risk is unlikely and more relevant for young children who do not yet understand the importance of hygiene procedures.

Barley during pregnancy

If barley occurs due to violations of hygiene rules, inflammation will not harm the fetus and the expectant mother. More often, inflammation can start later in pregnancy due to hormonal changes. In this case, the main thing is to undergo an examination by a specialist in a timely manner and undergo a course of treatment.

Treatment mainly consists of conservative methods – the use of antiseptic solutions, antibiotic-based ointments and eye drops. The drugs are carefully selected by the doctor so that they are not contraindicated for pregnant women. In the absence of a positive effect, an operation to remove purulent discharge may also be prescribed.

However, barley can be the result of serious diseases, so its self-treatment will not identify and eliminate the cause of the disease. The result can be a violation of the course of pregnancy, which can adversely affect the fetus. Therefore, if the inflammation began during pregnancy, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Styes in a child

Children are more susceptible to barley than adults. The reason is the unformed immunity. If your child has inflammation, see a doctor. Treatment, as a rule, does not have features depending on age, so the ophthalmologist may prescribe some drugs – ointments or drops – that are also suitable for an adult.

If a child has inflammation, it is important to tell him that scratching the infection is dangerous and that this can cause re-infection.

What ointments help with barley

There are many remedies for treating barley on the eye. Ointments are one of the most effective. They will be convenient in the formation of a purulent capsule on the outside of the eyelids. But when buying, you need to carefully study the instructions and contraindications so as not to harm your health.

Some of the most accessible and effective are:

• Tetracycline ointment – has a quick effect, but is not recommended for use in pregnant women and children under 11 years of age.
• Erythromycin ointment – the drug contains an antibiotic in the composition of the ointment and affects staphylococci, which are more resistant to other drugs.
• Levomycetin ointment – quickly penetrates deep into the tissues and helps relieve swelling.
• Oxolinic ointment – antiviral ointment for prophylaxis against barley, also suitable for the treatment of infections.

How to properly apply barley ointment

It is recommended to apply the ointment on the eyelid in the evening before going to bed. At night, the eyeball will not move, so the ointment will stay longer at the site of inflammation and swelling. The drug itself must be applied in an even layer so that it is quickly absorbed.

What drops help with barley

Drops are more convenient than ointments. They can be used during the day at work or school. Usually, both ointments and drops are prescribed for inflammation. Drops – during the day, ointment – in the evening before bedtime.

Drops against barley are determined based on their properties. Usually preference is given to anti-inflammatory drugs with an antibiotic. They prevent the spread of infection and also help with inflammation and pain relief.

Drugs may include:

• Sodium sulfacyl solution 20%
• Azithromycin
• Chloramphenicol
• Ofloxacin
• Ciprofloxacin

A specialist will help in choosing a specific drug.