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 treatment for an eye sty using bacitracin (TOP) involves:
- Cleaning the affected area
- Applying a small amount of the product (about the size of the tip of a finger)
- Applying 1 to 3 times daily
- The area may be covered with a sterile bandage For children under 2 years of age, it is recommended to ask a doctor 1
From the Research
For the treatment of an eye sty, start with warm compresses applied to the affected eye for 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times daily, as this helps bring the stye to a head and promotes drainage. A stye, or hordeolum, is a painful red bump on the eyelid caused by an infected oil gland. Gently clean the eyelid with diluted baby shampoo or eyelid wipes. Avoid wearing contact lenses and eye makeup until the stye resolves. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (200-400mg every 6-8 hours) or acetaminophen (500-1000mg every 6 hours) can help manage discomfort. Most styes resolve within 7-10 days with these home treatments. If the stye persists beyond two weeks, worsens, affects vision, or spreads to other areas, see a healthcare provider. They may prescribe antibiotic ointments like erythromycin or bacitracin, or oral antibiotics for severe infections. Never squeeze or pop a stye as this can spread the infection. Styes occur when bacteria, typically Staphylococcus, infect an oil gland, causing inflammation and pus formation. Good eyelid hygiene can help prevent recurrence. Unfortunately, there is no recent high-quality study available that directly addresses the treatment of eye styes, as the most relevant study found, 2, did not include external hordeolum (stye) in its scope and no trials were identified for inclusion in the review. However, based on general medical knowledge and the provided examples, the recommended treatment approach prioritizes morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.
Some key points to consider in the treatment of an eye sty include:
- Applying warm compresses to promote drainage
- Maintaining good eyelid hygiene
- Avoiding the use of contact lenses and eye makeup until the stye resolves
- Using over-the-counter pain relievers as needed
- Seeking medical attention if the stye persists or worsens. Note that the study 3 is not relevant to the treatment of eye styes, as it discusses loss of heterozygosity in Phytophthora capsici after N-ethyl-nitrosourea mutagenesis, which is unrelated to the topic of eye styes.