HealthSquare.com

Your Prescription Drug Destination
See all our sites for your special health needs at www.HealthCentral.com
HealthSquare >  Conditions and Treatments >  Alpha Index >  S >  Sty

Search:

Choose a suggestion...
...or just finish typing
Drugs A-Z:

Sty

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

A sty is an infection in a hair follicle gland in the eyelid. A few days after the sty forms, a white or yellow head of pus appears on the swollen area. Within 2 or 3 days, the sty usually bursts and the pus drains.

Causes

Stys are caused by bacterial infections.

Signs/Symptoms

A sty will cause redness, warmth, pain, and swelling of the top or bottom eyelid. You may have a gritty feeling in your eye and may have more tears than usual.

Care

Your doctor can prescribe medication to put on the sty. In some cases, surgery may be needed to drain it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

  • To avoid spreading the infection to other parts of the eye, don't touch your eyelid and wash your hands often, drying them with a clean towel.
  • To ease pain and speed healing, apply a warm, clean washcloth to your eyelid for 10 to 20 minutes several times a day.
  • When the head of pus appears in the swollen area, gently pull out the eyelash. Do not squeeze the sty. Wash the eyelid carefully to remove the pus.

Call Your Doctor If...

  • Your eye becomes painful.
  • Your vision changes.
  • The sty does not drain by itself within 7 days.
  • The sty comes back within a short period of time even with treatment.
  • You notice redness around the eye.
  • You develop a high temperature.
Return to top
text continues below
 Email this page |   Printer friendly |   Bookmark this page
HONcode logo
We comply with the HONcode standard for health trust worthy information: verify here.
More info from:

HealthCentral.com's
Allergy Site

Pollen Forecast
For today's allergy
forecast, enter a
US zip code:
 
Most Viewed
Top Allergy Drugs
More 

Latest News

  • Autumn babies at greater risk of asthma
  • Asthma Risk Increases with Fall Birthday
  • Many Canadians misdiagnosed as asthmatic: study
  • Allergies may protect against cancer
  • Lymph node shots better for grass pollen allergy
    • More 

    Learn More

    Allergy Related Drugs

    View All
    Poll
    Which of these drugs are you taking?

    view results
    More info from

    HealthCentral.com's
    Allergy Site

    View all conditions
    PR Newswire
    advertisement

    Featured Advertiser Links
    Note: All clinical content on this site is physician-reviewed, except material generated by our community members.
    Featuring Content From:
    • Harvard Health Publications
    • A.D.A.M.
    • HealthDay: News for Healthier Living
    • Thomson PDR
    • Ivanhoe Broadcast News

    By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on HealthSquare.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional mediscal care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2004-2008. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

    • HonCode: Health on the Net Foundation
    • TRUSTe Certified Privacy