5 best home remedies for stye

5 best home remedies for stye

Illnesses

An excellent home remedy for a stye consists of applying warm compresses to the eye for 5 minutes, as this helps to relieve inflammation congestion, facilitating the release of pus and reducing pain and itching. However, other remedies, such as chamomile, aloe vera and even baby shampoo, can also be used to alleviate the discomfort caused by a stye.

Most of the time the stye disappears on its own and does not require medical treatment, however, if it does not disappear in about 8 days or if it worsens over time, preventing you from opening the eye, it is recommended to consult an ophthalmologist. Learn more about the stye.

Illustrative image number 1

1. Warm compresses

Warm compresses for styes help to relieve pain and inflammation and drain pus from inside the sty if it is infected.

To make warm compresses, simply dip a sterilized gauze pad in warm water, checking the water temperature with your wrist beforehand, so as not to burn your skin or eyes. Next, place the gauze over the stye for 5 minutes and repeat 2 to 3 times during the day, always with new water.

Know when to use warm or cold compresses.

2. Chamomile and rosemary eye wash

Another great home remedy for stye is to wash your eyes 2 to 3 times a day with an infusion of chamomile flower and rosemary, as chamomile has a calming action, helping to relieve pain and discomfort, and rosemary is antibacterial, helping to treat the infection, which is most often the cause of the stye.

Ingredients

  • 5 rosemary stalks;
  • 60 g of chamomile flowers;
  • 1 liter of boiling water.

Preparation mode

Place the rosemary stems and chamomile flowers in boiling water for 5 minutes, let it cool and then wash your eyes with this infusion.

3. Aloe vera massage

Aloe vera is a medicinal plant that has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, being able to reduce the swelling of the stye and prevent infection with bacteria. This remedy can be used before washing the eye to relieve redness, pain and swelling.

Ingredients

Preparation mode

Open the aloe leaf in half and remove the gel inside. Then rub some of the gel on the sty area with your eye closed, giving it a light massage. Let the gel stay on the eye for about 20 minutes and then wash it off with a little warm water or chamomile infusion, for example.

4. Washing with baby shampoo

One of the most important precautions when treating a stye is to keep the eye well washed, to avoid an infection that can increase swelling. Learn about other situations in which the eye can become swollen.

Therefore, baby shampoo is a great choice for washing the eyes, because it is able to leave the skin very clean without causing burning or irritation of the eye. After washing, you can apply a warm compress to the eye to relieve discomfort.

5. Clove compress

Cloves work as an analgesic that reduces eye irritation, in addition to eliminating bacteria that can worsen the stye, leading to the accumulation of pus and swelling of the eyelid.

Ingredients

  • 6 cloves;
  • Cup of boiling water.

Preparation mode

Add the ingredients and let it rest for 5 minutes, then strain and dip a clean cloth or compress into the mixture. Squeeze out excess water and apply to the affected eye for 5 to 10 minutes.

Author image

Postgraduate in Advanced Clinical Phytotherapy and graduated from the Escola Superior de Enfermagem do Porto, in 2013. Member nº 79026 of the Order of Nurses.

We regularly update our content with the latest scientific information, so that it maintains an exceptional level of quality.

Bibliography
  • MCINTYRE, Anne. Complete Phytotherapy Guide. São Paulo: Pensamento Editora, 2010. 223.
  • MARS, Brigitte; FIEDLER, Chrystle. The Country Almanac of Home Remedies. 1.ed. Fair Winds Press, 2014.
  • BRAZILIAN COUNCIL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY. Why should we perform correct eye hygiene and what is blepharitis?. 2018. Available at: <https://www.cbo.net.br/novo/cbo-mulher/por-que-devemos-realizar-a-correta-higiene-ocular-eo-que-ea-blefarite-.php >. Accessed on November 14, 2019