Bye Bye Styes!

[jent85]

Please help!

I used to have such bad eye health - styes, infections, even a chemically burned retina once (don't ask). I had laser eye surgery 8 years ago and since I no longer have to stick my fingers in my eyes twice a day (contacts) I've been fine.

Until now.

I've had a stye (sp?) since September. I got another one - same eye, slightly underneath - in December. I've just looked and I've got a THIRD one, all in the same eye! I've been to the chemist, tried particular wipes, done the old teaspoon trick, hot flannel, massage, etc etc but they're not going! I'm aware I probably need to book a docs app but we're talking a 3/4 week wait (I will book one tomorrow though...)

Has anyone got any tried and tested remedies to help? I work in a customer facing environment and look like I'm either crying or have some contagious disease

Also, apologies - no idea the correct way to spell Sty/Stie/Stiy....the more I write it, the weirder it looks

You probably do already but do you clean your eyes with Blephasol lotion?

Hi @MrsPelligrinoPetrichor yeah I do, that was what the chemist suggested to me first. Not working yet

When you do hot compresses,do you do it for long enough and enough times a day? 10 mins at a time 3 or 4 x a day? Not just a quick dab with a hot cloth

You aren't using old make up? Shouldn't use any with a stye. Sorry if I'm telling you to suck eggs.

A doctor once told me to locate the eyelash that was infected and pluck it out then sterilise the area. It worked for me but it might be very old fashioned advice these days.

It's certainly an old wives tale but have you rubbed it with a gold wedding ring. I suffered a lot with them growing up and DM always did this, they did go but I'm not sure if that actually helped or that was just the time it actually took to go away

I have done that before too with a ring. I remember using Golden Eye cream from the chemist which worked. Don't know if it's still available.

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor hmm, possibly not doing it long enough. I was told to gently rub the area when doing a hot compress and it just gets so sore! Probably doing r 3/4 times a day for 5-10minutes max. Maybe I need to up my compress game...!

@TellerTuesday4EVA ooh you've reminded me someone mentioned that, good call! Will nick my mums tomorrow and see if that works!

The longer you can hot compress the better as it'll bring the stye to a head and burst.

I had a lot of styes growing up, my Mum used to rub them with her wedding ring too. I think removing the eyelash at the centre works best.

Does your hospital have an urgent eye care clinic? I went to Nurse with a cyst in eyelid and they referred me straight there - got the impression I could have gone straight there. It needed antibiotics to sort.

I've always pulled the eyelash out of the affected area and it's usually produced pus and instant relief!

There doesn't seem to be an eyelash in any of them, unless I'm not looking properly?

We do have an eye dept at our local hospital but I think you need referring from your GP or A&E

Some v.good ideas and advice here though, thankyou! Will deffo be trying the ring thing tomorrow too!

Have you a picture? Maybe it's something else?

Never had to deal with three at once but hot compresses with a camomile teabag worked for me

It naturally calms the redness and the hot compress aids healing

Good luck!

Ok so these don't show how bad it looks to be honest, but might give some indication - there's another that seems to be pus-filled () underneath the eyelid

That does look sore. Glad you're going to try and see a gp. I'd second the no make-up thing, and doing the compresses with clean cloths every time and for long enough. Good luck.

I'd see the GP as an emergency I think with 3 at once as you could well need antibiotics.

You can buy chloramphenicol eye ointment over the counter, which is the same thing a GP would prescribe. Hope they get better soon!

Get to the doctor. You can get them drained at the hospital.

Might be worth trying 111 to find out about eye care options locally - our NHS Trust offers a clinic through one of the opticians in town.

neverdidnt is right, see the pharmacist!

GP appointment booked (for 2 weeks time but hey!) - I'll go see a different pharmacist today. Thanks for all the fab advice. Going to try the gold ring thing too x