Medicines for the treatment of stye - eye drops and ointments

In this article we will tell you:

• Barley classification
• External stye
• Symptoms of external styes
• Internal stye
• Symptoms of internal stye
• Causes of stye on the eye
• How to treat stye on the eye
• How not to treat stye
• Prevention of eye stye

When the immune system is weakened, the opportunistic flora, which has peacefully existed for years on the surface of the skin, mucous membranes or inside the human body, is activated and can lead to various diseases. Among them is barley - or, scientifically, hordeolum: a condition familiar to many, which in more than 90% of cases is caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

The bacterial pathogen is not the only culprit of the disease. The appearance of stye can be caused by a fungus or the microscopic parasitic mite demodex, which likes to settle in or near the hair follicles.

According to statistics, most often barley is diagnosed in the age range from 20 to 50 years, but its manifestations are also common in childhood. The pathology manifested itself at least once in 90 people out of 1000.

Barley - (lat. hordeolum) - an acute inflammatory process affecting - depending on the location - one or more ciliary follicles or glands of the cartilage of the eyelids.

Eye stye: types

• External stye is an inflammation of the hair follicle at the root of the eyelashes. At the beginning of the disease, redness and painful swelling appears on the eyelid at the ciliary edge, which is called infiltrate (accumulation of inflammatory cells). Over the course of several days, the infiltrate “ripens”, pus appears inside it, and the tip of the swelling acquires a yellowish tint. On the 3-4th day, the head of the stye spontaneously opens outward with the release of pus, after which the painful phenomena gradually subside.
• An internal stye (sometimes mistakenly called a “closed stye,” but this is incorrect) is an inflammation of the cartilage around the meibomian glands in the eyelid. A painful infiltrate occurs on the inner surface of the eyelid, a purulent head forms within 2-3 days from the onset of the disease, and on the 3-4th day it opens from the side of the conjunctiva. Subsequently, small scars may remain at the site of the opened internal barley.

Depending on the number of infiltrates (purulent heads), single and multiple styes are distinguished. The occurrence of multiple stye is almost always accompanied by an increase in body temperature and general malaise; it occurs against the background of decreased immunity or other systemic diseases; in such a situation, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor in order not only to cure the stye, but also to prevent the development of serious complications.

Depending on the nature of the disease, the following are distinguished:

• acute: acute purulent inflammation (properly treated with the help of a doctor: he will be able to select eye drops, procedures, etc.);
• recurrent: it is important to identify the pathogen and determine whether it is resistant to antibiotics. By eliminating the cause, subsequent relapses can be avoided.

Diagnostics

If you have a problem, you can contact an ophthalmologist. Typically, a medical history and slit-lamp examination are sufficient to diagnose stye. It is important to find out the cause of the infection. If it is hidden in systemic diseases and causes frequent relapses, you will need a consultation with specialized doctors (gastroenterologist, endocrinologist) and a detailed diagnosis:

• laboratory tests to determine the pathogen;
• blood/urine glucose tests;
• examination for parasite infestation.

Risk factors

Barley appears in people of different ages and lifestyles. But there are factors contributing to the development of pathology:

1. Reduced immunity. In this case, eye stye may be multiple.
2. Oily skin.
3. Diabetes.
4. Adolescence is usually caused not by hormonal changes, but by the lack of proper hygiene, lack of vitamins and fresh air.
5. Chronic eye diseases: blepharitis (inflammation of the edge of the eyelids), conjunctivitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane).
6. Prolonged or frequent exposure to low temperatures, severe hypothermia.
7. Diseases and pathologies of the endocrine system.
8. Chronic diseases of the digestive system.
9. Allergic reactions.
10. Impaired metabolism.
11. Avitaminosis.
12. Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.
13. Injuries to the eyelid, including from ordinary scratching.
14. Cheap or simply low-quality cosmetics, the use of dirty cosmetic tools.
15. Unfavorable environmental conditions.

An internal stye or an external stye can develop due to one of these reasons or a combination of them.

Prevention

• Negative factors that increase the risk of hordeolum should be eliminated.
• Strengthen your immune system, eat rationally, spend more time in the fresh air and lead an active lifestyle.
• Follow the rules of hygiene, regularly cleanse the skin of your eyelids, and do not touch them with dirty hands.
• Follow the rules for the care and use of contact lenses.
• Women should use high-quality cosmetics.

Following the rules of hygiene and cleansing the skin of the eyelids helps prevent the appearance of stye on the eye. Photo: Alexandr Ivanov from Pixabay

Main symptoms of eye stye

A few days after the first symptoms appear on the eyelid, a compaction similar to a pimple or boil appears at the site of the swelling. The pain becomes stronger, it can be either aching or shooting, and the eyelid hurts not only when touched, but also when blinking or even at rest. Patients often become more sensitive to light and experience lacrimation. Internal stye is not visible, but, like external stye, it causes significant discomfort. In severe cases, patients complain of general weakness and malaise, high body temperature.

Symptoms of eye stye at the stage of development of the disease include: severe swelling of the eyelids, which occurs due to infiltration located near the edge of the eyelid, increasing redness (inflamed eyes), a feeling of tightness of the eyelid, the formation of a large ball filled with pus - its apex (head of the stye) usually white or yellow. When treating stye, it is important to determine the thickness of the skin covering the abscess; a thin film usually bursts on its own. If it is dense, you may not be able to cure the stye on your own, then you will need the help of a doctor, and it is not always possible to quickly treat the inflammation in such situations.

In rare cases, treatment for stye is not required: the swelling resolves itself even before pus forms. The other symptoms also go away.

In some cases, for example, with a weakened immune system or when trying to squeeze out the infiltrate, eye stye can be complicated by an abscess. Then the infection spreads to the deeper layers of the eyelid, it becomes noticeable, hyperemic, it is impossible to touch it due to severe pain, the body temperature rises, a headache appears, and the lymph nodes enlarge. If such symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor for serious treatment of stye and be prepared for hospitalization and surgery.

Treatment of barley

In some cases, purulent inflammation of the eyelid margin goes away on its own: 3-4 days after the formation of the head of the stye, it breaks out on its own, the pus comes out, and the inflammation subsides. But this does not mean that you should not pay attention to the treatment of barley and expect that the disease will recede without your help.

Styes on the eye: how to treat and can you do it yourself?

After the appearance of stye and before visiting a doctor at the stage of development of the disease (when treating stye, you should visit a doctor in any case!), you can use various methods to improve your health and appearance. For example, after the first symptoms appear, to accelerate the maturation of the infiltrate, you can apply dry heat (for example, a warm, clean flannel cloth or a fabric bag with heated salt) to the seal on the eyelid for 10-15 minutes. You can repeat the procedure up to 4 times a day, but only until the boil matures (it becomes soft, the purulent head is clearly visible), then you need to abandon it.

Rubbing your eyes with a solution of calendula or ethyl alcohol (70%) is not recommended, although such advice is quite popular. Squeezing out an abscess, rubbing it, or trying to open a stye yourself is also strictly prohibited, since due to the abundant blood supply to the eyelids and face, an infection that gets into the blood can quickly spread throughout the body and cause sepsis. This is an extremely serious complication that can be fatal.

You cannot treat stye with folk remedies, for example, making tea lotions. This is ineffective, and sometimes even provokes the spread of infection and causes other adverse effects on the health of the eyeball, etc.

To treat barley, the doctor can prescribe high-quality and useful medications. For example, tetracycline ointment has proven itself well, as well as other local antibacterial drugs: there are actually a lot of choices.

It is necessary to treat barley with prescribed medications, strictly following the doctor’s recommendations and instructions for their use, otherwise it will not be possible to achieve quick treatment of inflammation and a positive result in the long term. Be sure to pay attention to the storage conditions of the drugs; they must be strictly observed.

It won't hurt to strengthen your immune system either. Vitamin preparations are suitable for this, and there are also many choices in pharmacies.

Do not under any circumstances delay visiting your doctor in the following situations:

1. Multiple stye developed.
2. The general condition worsened, the temperature rose, weakness appeared, etc.
3. There is an increase in lymph nodes.
4. This is not the first time a purulent blister has appeared. The doctor will determine the causative agent of inflammation, and will also give recommendations or referral to other specialists, for example, an endocrinologist, to assess the state of the immune system, rule out diabetes, and check the blood for sterility.
5. The disease appeared in young children.

Treatment methods for barley are selected by the doctor, usually these are:

1. Medicines: drops, ointments, tablets.
2. UHF therapy. Exposure to high temperatures accelerates blood circulation, and the abscess opens faster.
3. Surgical intervention. It is necessary if the purulent inflammation is too large or if improper treatment was carried out, which led to complications.

How to properly treat stye in young children?

Children regularly rub their eyes with dirty hands and love to scratch their eyes, so the development of stye often cannot be avoided. If this happens, do not treat it yourself, but consult a doctor, even if it seems to you that the stye is going away without his help. Oxolinic ointment and Floxal are usually recommended for children.

Medicines

Have you decided to buy medications? There are many choices in pharmacies, but remember that only a doctor can choose the optimal remedy. Everything has its own nuances: some products contain a substance that is contraindicated during pregnancy or is not suitable for children, some are not suitable due to the method of application. So, drops can be used at any time of the day, even at work, and ointment is usually applied at night, as it is much more convenient and aesthetically pleasing. Some products contain components that can affect attention and blur your vision, so if you drive a car, work with documents, etc., then they are not suitable for you. The form of the disease should not be overlooked: drugs for internal inflammation may not be suitable for external inflammation and vice versa. This is due to the fact that in the first case the medicine will come into direct contact with the mucous membrane. The doctor knows these and other subtleties, so trust him and do not self-medicate, so as not to provoke dangerous diseases of the eyeball.

The most popular means include:

1. Ofloxacin (Floxal). This is an antibacterial agent from the fluoroquinolone group. This antibiotic is active against most bacteria that can cause eyelid infections, including styes.
2. Tetracycline ointment. This is an antibacterial agent of the tetracycline series, which has long been successfully used to treat barley. With this antibiotic, barley goes away quite quickly. Tetracycline ointment has a complex effect: antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. But it should not be used by children, pregnant and lactating women.
3. Erythromycin ointment. The product contains an antibiotic from the macrolide group that can fight staphylococci and fungi. You can apply the drug to the eyelid itself, but it is usually applied to a gauze bandage.
4. Levomekol. This ointment relieves swelling and has a bactericidal effect, accelerating tissue regeneration. In some cases, after applying it, patients feel a slight burning sensation, this reaction is normal.
5. Syntomycin. The drug has an antibacterial effect and effectively fights bacteria and fungi. It can be used even for exacerbations, for example, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, etc.
6. Hydrocortisone. It is not recommended to use the drug on its own, but in combination with antibiotics it gives a good effect, reduces redness, swelling, and relieves pain.
7. Vishnevsky ointment. This herbal preparation is used for external abscesses, relieves swelling, pain, and accelerates tissue regeneration.

As you can see, manufacturers produce a wide variety of drugs; there really is a lot to choose from. But you shouldn’t buy medications that you think are suitable for your eyes - all antibacterial drops and ointments are selected individually.

It is very important to apply products correctly. To do this, carefully read the instructions, wash your hands thoroughly, remove all makeup from your eyelids, remove your contact lenses, and only then apply the ointment. You can remove its excess with a clean napkin, pre-moistened in a special antiseptic solution. Only compliance with hygiene rules will ensure maximum effect. And improper treatment will worsen the situation.

Treatment at home - can you heat it?

The two procedures most often practiced at home, rinsing and warming, also require important clarification. For symptomatic relief of uncomfortable sensations, you can rinse the affected eye yourself only with aseptic herbal decoctions (chamomile, calendula, regular tea, etc.), and it is highly advisable to consult at least with a pharmacist at the pharmacy about the composition of the mixture and the tactics of its use.

As for warming up, from a certain point it can be quite an effective means of reducing the overall duration of the disease, but at the initial stage of hordeolum, heat is strictly contraindicated - and that is why, again, you should not risk your health and life: any warming up should be prescribed and supervised by a doctor. In outpatient clinics, physiotherapeutic procedures (for example, the well-known ultraviolet irradiation or UHF heating) can be used for this purpose.

In addition, the use of any makeup substances or compositions to disguise a cosmetic defect is strictly contraindicated - no matter how psychological discomfort it may cause, the risk and potential damage from such makeup is much higher.

Postoperative period

Treating barley surgically does not take much time: a specialist opens the abscess and washes the wound. For rapid healing, fighting infection, pain relief, etc., the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, antibacterial drops and ointments. Helping the treated eye with medications is also indispensable. And any non-compliance with the doctor’s recommendations sometimes even provokes the spread of infection, so you should take your health seriously. In some situations, you will have to visit the hospital regularly until the wound is completely healed: the surgeon will process its edges and apply lotions. This will avoid tissue scarring and maintain a beautiful, fresh look.

Sources

1. Samuylo E.K., Kozlov R.S., Krechikova O.I., Sukhorukova M.V. Bacterial infections in ophthalmology: standardization of pharmacotherapy based on objective data // Problems of standardization in healthcare. - 2013. - No. 3-4. — pp. 21-28
2. Trubilin V.N., Polunina E.G., Angelova D.V., Evstigneeva Yu.V., Chinenova K.V., Kumar V., Pozharitsky M.D. Algorithm for the treatment of meibomyitis, barley and chalazion // Ophthalmology. — 2021 — No. 16(4). — pp. 515–521.
3. Deibel, J.P.; Cowling, K. Ocular inflammation and infection // Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. — 2013. — May (vol. 31, no. 2). - pp. 387-397.
4. Lindsley K, Nichols JJ, Dickersin K. Non-surgical interventions for acute internal hordeolum. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Jan 09; 1:CD007742.
5. McAlinden C, González-Andrades M, Skiadaresi E. Hordeolum: Acute abscess within an eyelid sebaceous gland. Cleve Clin J Med. May 2016; 83(5): 332-4.

How to remove a nodule or bump after stye: folk remedies, medicines

Nodule, lump after stye.
The most competent solution would be treatment by an ophthalmologist. The doctor will prescribe medications containing antibiotics and corticosteroids. These drugs in the form of drops and ointments must be applied to the site of the lump several times a day for five days. Here are some more tips on how to remove a nodule or lump after a stye:

• Warm compresses on the bump will help.
• As mentioned above, such compresses are not indicated for purulent barley, since heating the inflamed area is prohibited.
• However, with chalazion - the appearance of a nodule or bump, it is compresses that are effective.
• Soak a sterile cloth in warm water and apply it for 5-10 minutes . Three such procedures are performed per day.
• If possible, warm compresses can be replaced with physical therapy, which has a warming effect.
• For successful treatment, the thermal procedure should be combined with a light but gentle massage of the eyelid. A faster effect is achieved by injecting medications - corticosteroids - into the lump.

From folk remedies, you can use the already mentioned warm compress with a decoction of herbs, which were described above in the text. In difficult cases, when conservative therapy does not help, surgical or laser surgery is performed under local anesthesia, which does not leave cosmetic defects.