From the Research
Recurrent hordeolum (stye) can be effectively treated with a combination of home remedies and medical interventions, prioritizing daily eyelid hygiene and topical antibiotic ointments, with consideration of underlying conditions such as blepharitis, rosacea, or seborrheic dermatitis that may require specific treatment. For immediate relief, apply warm compresses to the affected eye for 10-15 minutes, 4-5 times daily to help bring the stye to a head and promote drainage. Some key points to consider in the treatment of recurrent styes include:
- Keeping the eyelid clean by gently washing with mild soap and water or using pre-moistened eyelid cleansing wipes containing tea tree oil 1
- Practicing daily eyelid hygiene by cleaning your eyelids with diluted baby shampoo or commercial eyelid cleanser, avoiding touching your eyes with unwashed hands, replacing eye makeup every 3-6 months, and removing makeup before sleeping
- Using topical antibiotic ointments such as erythromycin or bacitracin to be applied to the eyelid margin 2-3 times daily for 7-10 days for persistent or recurrent styes
- Considering oral antibiotics like doxycycline (100mg twice daily for 7-10 days) in more severe cases
- Recognizing that recurrent styes often result from bacterial infection, typically Staphylococcus aureus, that infects oil glands in the eyelids, and consulting an ophthalmologist if styes continue to recur despite these measures, as this might indicate an underlying condition like blepharitis, rosacea, or seborrheic dermatitis that requires specific treatment 2, 3, 4 It's also important to note that while various treatments are available, the most recent and highest quality study 3 suggests that topical azithromycin may be an effective treatment option for posterior blepharitis, which can be associated with recurrent styes. In terms of specific treatment options, subcutaneous extralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection has been shown to be more effective than conservative treatment for chalazion, a condition related to styes 5. However, the primary focus should be on preventing recurrence through daily eyelid hygiene and addressing any underlying conditions that may be contributing to the development of recurrent styes.