What is the best treatment for a hordeolum (stye) to reduce pain?

From the Guidelines

The best treatment to reduce pain from a hordeolum (stye) is to immerse the affected part in hot water (temperature as hot as tolerated, or at 45°C) for at least 20 minutes, or for as long as pain persists, as recommended by the 2010 American Heart Association and American Red Cross international consensus on first aid science 1. To apply this treatment:

• Take a hot shower or immerse the affected part in hot water
• Continue immersion for at least 20 minutes, or for as long as pain persists
• If hot water is not available, dry hot packs or, as a second choice, dry cold packs may also be helpful in decreasing pain This treatment helps by increasing blood circulation to the area, which promotes drainage of the infected gland and reduces swelling, thereby alleviating pain and discomfort. Key points to consider:
• The treatment should be applied as soon as possible to reduce pain
• The immersion time can be adjusted based on the persistence of pain
• Alternative options like dry hot packs or cold packs can be used if hot water is not available It is essential to note that if pain persists or worsens after 48 hours of this treatment, consultation with an eye doctor is necessary to rule out any underlying bacterial infection that may require antibiotic eye drops or ointment.

From the FDA Drug Label

Directions adults and children 2 years of age and older: clean the affected area apply a small amount of this product (an amount equal to the surface area of the tip of a finger) on the area 1 to 3 times daily may be covered with a sterile bandage children under 2 years of age: ask a doctor

The best treatment for a hordeolum (stye) to reduce pain, according to the provided drug label, is not explicitly stated. Bacitracin (TOP) is mentioned, but its use is described in general terms without specific reference to pain reduction in the context of a hordeolum.

• The label provides general application instructions for the product.
• It does not directly address the treatment of a hordeolum or the reduction of pain associated with it. 2

From the Research

Treatment Options for Hordeolum

• The effectiveness of non-surgical interventions for the treatment of hordeolum is unclear, as no relevant studies were found 3.
• Acupuncture may provide short-term benefits for treating acute hordeolum, with low-certainty evidence suggesting it may be more effective than conventional treatments alone 4.
• Warm compresses have been shown to reduce pain intensity in other conditions, such as perineal tears during childbirth 5, 6, but their effectiveness in reducing pain for hordeolum is not directly studied.

Pain Reduction

• Acupuncture with or without conventional treatments may provide short-term benefits for reducing pain in acute hordeolum, although the certainty of the evidence is low to very low 4.
• Warm compresses may be beneficial in reducing pain, based on studies in other conditions, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness for hordeolum.

Limitations of Current Evidence

• The majority of studies on hordeolum are limited by small sample sizes, inadequate allocation concealment, and lack of masking of outcome assessors 4.
• More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of different treatments for hordeolum, including acupuncture and warm compresses.