Eye Pimple
All About the Intruding Eye Pimple
What is an Eye Pimple?
The eyes are said to be the doorways of the soul. It therefore certainly does not help when there is an ugly pimple standing in the way. Eye pimples are widely considered the most common of eye diseases. Unlike those that occur on the face, an eye pimple can be very painful and carries a much higher risk of possible infection. Because of their close proximity to the eye and the soft skin around, many of the treatments which are used for regular facial acne cannot be used on it.
Eye pimples (also known as Styes) are generally caused as a result of a blocked oil gland or a bacterial infection. These factors are enhanced by poor lifestyle habits such as a lack of sleep, poor hygiene and an unhealthy diet. Ill-advised habits such as rubbing of the eye can also contribute to its development. The length of time that a stye will last ranges from a few days to as much as two weeks.
Symptoms
There are several symptoms which an eye pimple will cause. Some of the more common ones include a tenderness of the eye, swelling of the eyelid, a discernible bump on the bottom or top eyelid, localized ocular pain and feelings of discomfort in the affected eye. As time goes on, people might also experience fluid discharge from their eye.
Treating Eye Pimples
Most incidences of eye pimples tend to resolve themselves when left alone. However the discomfort and pain which people feel during this period rarely encourages choosing this option. They also are very unpleasant to look at which is why people sometimes adopt drastic and ill-advised steps towards treating it. It is important that you refrain from doing this.
An eye pimple can be treated by applying a warm pad or dressing to the infected eye and leaving it for about a quarter of an hour. The actions of this increases the rate at which a stye heals. It also assists in the drainage of the fluids within. The eye should also be kept as clean as possible. To this end, the application of makeup should be avoided for as long as the infection remains.
People will sometimes squeeze or poke their Styes in an attempt to “quickly” get rid of it. This practice is highly discouraged because it can very easily lead to an even more severe eye infection.
Styes can be cleaned in different ways. People can for example clean the affected area with the use of clean water and simple (non irritant) soap. Alternatively antibiotics such as chloramphenicol or amoxicillin can be used. There are a number of other eye ointments which a physician might prescribe. Application of these should be done gently in order to avoid further injuries.
Although most cases of eye pimples resolve themselves on their own, there are cases where a stye refuses to leave. In such scenarios a physician might recommend surgery as a final solution. During the surgery—performed with a local anesthesia—the ophthalmologist, after making an incision, will take steps towards draining the pus within the gland in order to facilitate its healing. It is however not uncommon for an eye pimple to reoccur again after it has left.
Prevention
Proper hygiene is still the best way of preventing an eye pimple. This includes washing your hands whenever they are dirty. It is also advised that people keep their eye tools (cosmetic) clean at all times and refrain from sharing them with other people. Finally, makeup should never be worn to bed. They should instead be cleaned off properly before sleeping. This will reduce the risk of possible contamination.