How to Treat and Prevent Styes

Nobody likes pimples. They’re ugly, they’re irritating - and they can be painful. But when those little pus-filled bumps show up around your eye… that’s a whole new level of frustrating.

Styes - which take the form of small, pimple-like bumps that grow on or under your eyelid - are quite common. Most guys will experience a few over the course of their lives. And they’re not serious in most cases. But they sure can be annoying.

Here’s how to treat and prevent styes so that you always look your best and don’t have to deal with the irritation of those little eye bumps.

What Is a Stye?

A stye is a small, painful lump on the inside of the eyelid or close to the eye. It can turn the skin red, cause swelling, and may fill up with a yellow pus. It shouldn’t affect your vision, but you may have red, watery eyes with the stye. The whole thing looks like a big zit growing on your eyelid. But that’s not exactly what’s going on here.

When It’s Not a Stye

If there’s no lump, it’s not a stye. Swollen, red, watery eyes with no visible lump around the eye or eyelid are usually related to a different problem - like conjunctivitis (pink eye). If there’s a hard lump but it’s not painful or sensitive, you probably have a chalazion - a tender swelling caused by inflammation at the oil glads around your eye lashes.

What Causes Styes?

In most cases, styes are caused by staphylococcal bacteria. This bacteria is usually found in your nose. So styes can occur when you wipe your nose, then rub your eye. Since the bacteria comes from your own body, styes are common at any age and most people have a few styes over the course of their lives. Even so, they are contagious. To avoid infecting someone else, wash your hands regularly and don’t share towels or bedsheets with others while you have a stye.

Preventing Styes

Since bacteria transmission is a major cause of styes, limiting that bacteria is the key to preventing them. Here are a few ways to do it:

• Wash Your Face Regularly. Use a face wash for men each morning and evening to eliminate bacteria, sweat, dirt, and other debris. For the best results, choose a natural wash that gets rid of bacteria with gentle ingredients. Harsh soaps can dry out your skin and put you at greater risk of developing other blemishes.
• Don’t Rub Your Eyes. Resist the urge. Rubbing your eyes transfers whatever germs are on your hands directly into your peepers. Those things are sensitive - and valuable to you. Don’t just keep rubbing your hands into your eyes out of habit. Break that dirty habit to prevent styes and other problems.
• Wash Your Hands Often. Since your hands are often the culprit in contamination, keep them clean. This can be hard if you’re on the go all day - but having some hand sanitizer available can help keep your away from harmful bacteria.

Always Look Your Best

Use a natural face wash for men to keep your face clean and free of bacteria. But don’t stop there. The best eye cream for men will prevent dark circles, reduce eye bags, and brighten your eyes. Use it daily if you want to get the best results.