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First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

  • Chest Pain
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Severe Bleeding
  • Sudden Weakness or Numbness
  • A Medical Emergency
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Sty Treatment

1. Treat Symptoms

  • Most stys go away on their own in about a week.
  • Apply a warm compress for 5 to 10 minutes several times a day. Use a clean washcloth or towel soaked in warm water. Keep eyes closed.

 

2. Protect Against Infection

  • Keep the area clean and avoid touching or rubbing the eyes.
  • Don't squeeze the sty.
  • Don't use eye make-up or wear contact lenses.

 

3. Follow Up

In most cases, stys don't require medical care. Call your health care provider if:

  • The sty doesn't heal in a week or 10 days.
  • The sty becomes more painful or swollen after several days of home treatment.
  • The person also has fever or chills.
  • The person develops vision problems.
  • The person has recurring stys.
  • The person has an abnormal immune system (for example, people with diabetes, patients receiving treatment for cancer, organ transplant recipients)

 

 

WebMD Medical Reference

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Reviewed by Robert L. Norris, MD on November 01, 2011
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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