Stye

Description

Sties are acute pus-filled infections on one or both of the eyelids.

Symptoms

Initial signs and symptoms include pain and redness, followed by a small, swollen, round spot on the margin of the eyelid. A small yellowish spot in the middle of the stye indicates pus is present. When the abscess breaks open and the pus is discharged, the pain is relieved. Swelling typically occurs around the entire area.

Caution: Do not squeeze the stye with your fingers because this may spread the infection into the blood stream. An infection in the blood steam is much more serious than the stye itself.

Cause

Usually caused by Staphylococci bacteria and is more common in children than in adults.
Natural Remedies

Diet: Eat an organic, whole-foods diet high in garlic. Avoid refined sugars, alcohol, dairy products, and any other foods you might be sensitive to.

Remedies

Herbal treatments: Use an eye rinse made from a fresh and well–filtered infusion of eyebright and goldenseal. Drink red strawberry tea as well.

Homeopathy: Useful naturopathic remedies include Pulsatilla, Hepar sulph., Sulfur, and Graphites.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the process of applying water, ice, steam and alternating cold and hot temperatures to restore health. Treatments include total body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation, and the application of warm and cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating an array of conditions and can easily be used in the home as part of a personal-treatment program. Many professionals including naturopathic physicians, physical therapists and day spas use Hydrotherapy as part of their treatment routines. We suggest trying several at home hydrotherapy remedies. Please seek the advice of an alternative healthcare practitioner prior to undergoing these treatments to ensure they are right for you.

*Purified water is essential in any Hydrotherapy remedy. Remedies involving purifying bath water offer clear instructions and remedies.

Nutritional Supplementation: Take vitamin A in therapeutic doses for the first two days, and then reduce intake to half for 2 days. Incorporate carotene and vitamin C into your daily nutritional supplement program.
Topical ointment Treatment: Wash your eye in a watered down solution of chamomile tea, or red strawberry tea.

Optional Professional Care

If your symptoms persist despite following the above steps, seek the help of the qualified medical expert. The following expert therapies have all demonstrated an ability to be useful for treating sties: Applied Kinesiology, Detoxification Therapy, Light Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Reflexology, and Chinese Medicine. (See References for descriptions of these alternative therapies.)