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Symptoms, Their Causes & Cures: Sty

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Sty

WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR

* Your sty lasts more than a week.

* Your sty is accompanied by blurred vision.

* A hard lump (chalazion) develops on the lid itself.

What Your Symptom Is Telling You

A sty is a lot like a pimple. It's swollen, red and sometimes painful, and it gives you that same sinking feeling when you look in the mirror. The only thing that distinguishes it, really, is its particularly sensitive location.

Sties are the result of an infected oil gland at the base of the eyelash. You can get more than one sty at a time or several in succession because the infection can spread from one hair follicle to others. Infection can occur, for example, when a contaminated mascara or makeup brush gives bacteria a free ride into the oily pores along the lashes. People who have super-oily skin or scalp may be sty-prone, just as they may be acne-prone, according to Kenneth Kauvar, M.D., assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver and author of Eyes Only.

Symptom Relief

Like pimples, sties are usually harmless and disappear on their own, says Dr. Kauvar. Here's how you can help clear them up.

Drain, don't squeeze. "Popping a sty could push bacteria into your bloodstream and transport the infection to the brain," says Dr. Kauvar. Instead, drain the sty naturally and promote healing blood flow by applying a warm washcloth to your closed lid, he advises. Apply the washcloth for 15 minutes four times a day. You should notice improvement in a day or so, says Dr. Kauvar.

Take it to the doctor. If the sty worsens or remains after a week, your doctor can prescribe an antibiotic or steroid to reduce inflammation or lance the sty in a painless office procedure.

Keep a clean upper lid. As with facial acne, you need to keep your eyelids clean and oil-free, especially if you have recurrent sties, says Dr. Kauvar. "The easiest way to do this is to dip a cotton swab in diluted baby shampoo and use it to clean the base of the lashes," he says.

Take a break from eye makeup. Resume applying eye makeup only after your sty is gone. And toss the mascara you were using before the sty appeared and replace all eye makeup brushes to prevent further infection.

Ditch that dandruff. Dandruff can fall onto eyelids and trigger a sty, says Dr. Kauvar. (If dandruff is a problem, see page 115.)

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