Dealing With Styes and Conjunctivitis

As a youngster I remember I often seemed to be getting problems with my eyelids in the form of styes. It was not so much how they looked, it was more the fact they were at times uncomfortable.

I think like most people when we get a little older styes are an ailment that is grown out of for some reason. Maybe it is down to less messing about putting our fingers close to our eyes and transmitting germs. Or, as we get older the tiny gland on the edge of the eyelid at the base of an eyelash doesn`t get infected as frequently for some reason. The usual bacterium that causes the infection is the staphylococcus.

Styes appear as small, reddened lumps which are often a little painful. They frequently have a yellow, pus filled point. Even blinking can cause discomfort, particularly as the stye grows larger.

Good hygiene is important for those who suffer from styes. The infection will usually clear up after a few days. Meanwhile the eye can be soothed by applying a compress, such as a flannel or tissue soaked in hot water, several times a day, to the affected area to help remove the pus.

It is not a good idea to try to squeeze the pus out yourself by bursting the stye, rather let it happen naturally. It is also very important to avoid spreading the infection to your other eye. Keep your hands clean, and do not touch one eye then the other one.

A stye which is persistent can be treated with an antibiotic ointment. If styes recur frequently it would be best to consult your doctor or optometrist so the problem can be investigated further. On rare occasions it might be necessary to drain a large stye by your doctor which is carried out under local anaesthetic.

Prevention is better than cure, and to help prevent styes returning, it is good to keep the edges of your eyelids clean, removing crusting or stickiness.


           

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Another irritating problem area with eyelids can be caused by conjunctivitis. This is where an inflammation of the membrane covering the white of the eye and the inner side of the eyelid occurs.

There are three main situations that can cause conjunctivitis.

Allergic - This can be triggered by pollen, dust mites or even cosmetics.

Chemical - where there is a reaction to chemicals in such things as chlorinated water (found in many swimming pools), or smoke or fumes.

Infectious - through the spread of bacteria from skin or certain illnesses. Even the virus from the common cold can trigger conjunctivitis.

Ideally once you have identified the cause of your conjunctivitis you will be able to avoid them. But, that is not always possible. If the cause of the infection is a virus your own body`s immune system should fight off the attack.

If the cause is down to bacteria it may be advisable to use antibiotic drops to help it clear up.

Remove any discharge by bathing the eye with boiled water which has cooled down, then dry with a disposable tissue. As with any eyelid problems good hygiene is very important, so avoid sharing a face towel otherwise you risk someone else catching your germs.

As with all health problems if you feel that medical attention is necessary you should seek further advice from your doctor or health advisor.

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