When you’re a busy mom, there’s very little that can stop you in your tracks. If you’re tired you simply power through, if you’re ill you just get on with it and continue to put your children first. You don’t have the luxury of throwing your schedule out of the window because you’re a little under the weather.
One condition that can prove difficult to carry on with, however, is a stye. These small red bumps form on the eyelid and can lead to swelling, discomfort, watery eyes, and pain. They look unsightly too. It’s not always easy to carry on with your day if you have an inflamed pimple-like bump growing on your eyelid. Click the link to find out what can make a stye go away.
As a busy parent, you need to treat these little, localized infections quickly so that you can get on with your day. So, here’s what you need to know about styes, where they come from, and how you can treat them at home. Read on to find out more.
What is a stye?
When the oil glands or eyelash follicles become clogged or blocked with dead skin cells, oil build-up, or even old cosmetics, bacteria will start to build in these small holes and develop into an infection. An infection that manifests itself as a small, red bump. Styes come with other symptoms such as pain and swelling, increased tear productions, soreness, and itchiness, all of which can make running around after the kids and completing errands incredibly difficult.
Why do I have a stye?
Believe it or not, if you’re a stressed, overtired mom (and let’s face it, what mom isn’t?) you might be more likely to develop a stye. Styes are caused by a blockage in the oil glands around the eyelids, so those evenings when you’re too tired to remove your eye makeup properly could lead to increased levels of bacteria. Not washing your hands as regularly or as thoroughly as you should, can also lead to a stye developing – simply because we touch our faces thousands of times a day. Sharing items such as towels and washcloths (something which happens often in busy households) can also lead to styes and other eye infections.
How can I treat my stye?
Thankfully, in most cases, you won’t have to visit your doctor because of a stye. This means less time off schedule and more time with your family. Here are the most effective home-based remedies for styes.
Use a warm compress: With styes come swollen eyelids, so take some time to sit on the couch with a warm (clean) compress on the affected area. This will help with the healing process and reduce swelling.
Keep your eyelids clean: Cleaning your eyelids is essential in treating your stye and preventing them in the future. Using a mild soap, and clean cotton pads, gently cleanse your eye several times a day.
And finally, avoid makeup and contact lenses: Avoid wearing makeup while you wait for your stye to heal. If you’re a contact lens wearer, switch back to your frames until your stye is gone.
