Styes
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May 2004
My 2-year-old has been experiencing recurrent styes since the
beginning of the year...not the kind of small red bumps that one
usually thinks of, but quite large, inflamed lumps that have
almost swollen her eye shut...the kind that prompt strangers
everywhere to say, ''What happened to her eye????!!!'' with
great alarm. We've gone from topical antibiotics to oral
antibiotics to an opthamology referral (appt. next week). Does
anyone have any experience with this? The little info I can find
online or in medical databases suggests that this is a problem
that may well continue. Surgical removal has been suggested by
our pediatrician as one option for the current stye but I
noticed tonight that another one already seems to be forming -
and from what I've read, surgery does nothing for reoccurrence &
carries its own obvious risks. So I'm trying to find out about
any possible alternatives before we go to our appt. next week. A
few articles have reported on the use of injectable steroids.
I've also read online that some parents have tried chiropractic
care with apparent success (e.g., to drain the fluids).
Unfortunately,according to her doc & everything I've read, very
little in the way of prevention is possible (We are already
trying warm compresses & washing her eyelids diligently). Any
specific, relevant advice re: treatment would be appreciated.
Thank you!
L.
Acidophilus!!! My childhood's pediatrecian was originally
from Bulgaria. I too had recurring styes and he told my
mom that Bulgarian kids don't get stye because they eat a
lot of Acidophilus Bulgaricus which is the live culture in most
yogurts. So... give your child plenty (and I mean PLENTY) of
yogurt with Acidophilus Bulgaricus, and, hopefully, like it
happened with me, the stye will go away. I don't know if just
Acidophilus in the powder form would do the job as well, but
you might want to try. Good luck!
Naama
One thing you could try: Flax seed oil. I'm not sure what the
dosage would be for a small child, though, so you'd have to
do some research. A stye is basically like a pimple--the
sebacious glands at the lid margin get plugged up. The
warm compresses and lid scrubs try to keep them from
plugging. Flax seed oil has been shown to make the
secretions not so ''sludgy'' and therefore make it less likely
to plug. I think some people have also tried fish oils with
some success (eat--not rub over the eye).
eye doc
Nov 2003
Has any of your children experienced any sty eye problems? My
daughter has been having problems with sty, a new one appears as
soon as a previous one disappears. This problem has been going
on for the last three months or so. Her Doctor tells me that I
shouldn't worry, she will eventually grow out of them. Is this
normal for some kids? Should I get a second opinion? What has
worked for you? Thank you
Veronica
it could be normal, or it might not. get a 2nd opinion. a
recurrent stye could be cancerous. see a dermatologist or
ophthalmogist. to diagnose this for sure, a biopsy will be
necessary.
eye doc
I had an ongoing problem with sties until an ophthalmologist
suggested that I wash the edge of my eyelids (along the
eyelashes) with a Q-tip and some watered-down baby shampoo (no
more tears). Basically, I had some buildup along the lashes (I
couldn't really see it) and it was clogging the pores, resulting
in some really nice sties. The washing process doesn't hurt and
after a few months of due diligence, I haven't had any sties in
years. Oh - a hot compress works wonders for getting rid of any
extant sties.
Catie
I remember having stys as a kid. I am not sure how regurlarly I
had them, but I know they stopped occuring before I was in high
school. I have only had one as an adult. I mentioned it at an
eye appointment and the dr told me that stys are a form of staph
infection and that the best way to prevent them is to be sure to
wash your eyes with soap (while closed of course) when you wash
your face.
annon.
People would come to my grandmother for sty treatment. You know
what her secret was? Rub the sty with 24K solid gold. It's
worth a try and won't hurt!
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