Choice of Antibiotics For Stye

[Tham58]

Dear Doctor,

What might be a good choice of a topical antibiotic
ointment for a stye ?  I have an external one on my
lower right eyelid now.

I have Maxitrol (neomycin + polymyxin + dexamethasone)
and Terramycin (oxytetracycline + neomycin) ointments.

I have have a bottle of Maxitrol eye drops. Are drops
suitable for external styes ?

If topical treatment doesn't work, how about a
course of oral antibiotics like Bactrim  ?

Thank you.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

Warm compresses, lid cleaning with Occusoft lid cleaner or TheraTears SteriLid eyelid cleaner. Of what  you have on hand I would use the non steroid containing terramycin. Oral antibiotics are not useful.

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JCH MD

[Tham58]

Dear Dr Hagan,

The pus in the stye has gone off, but the stye still remains,
thought it is smaller.

It's quite small though, maybe about 2 to 3 mm diameter.

I'm wondering if it might have turned into a chalazion by
this stage, after 3 weeks.

It's external, and more toward the center of the lower right eyelid.

Thank you.

Tham

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

Yes the hard small residual bump is likely a chalazion or graulation tissue in any case warm compresses and a maybe 3-6 more weeks should make it shrink to where no one else sees it

JCH MD

[aldz]

Can I use terramycin for infants stye?

Thanks  

[aldz]

Hi Doc,

It's okay to use Tobrex (tobramycin Ophalmic Oinment) or Garamycin for STYE? My 2 year old has many stye, before I use this oinment I want to make sure that is safe for infant.

Thank you.  

[des900]

Tetracycline antibiotic ointment is very effective in treating eyelid infections & gives quick results.

[Tham58]

Dear Dr Hagan,

Following your advice with warm compresses, the residual
bump, or perhaps chalazion, did shrink to almost to where
no one else sees it, maybe about 1 mm diameter, and hardly
a bump too.

However, it seems to have recurred again today at exactly
the same spot. I'm not sure if it is a new stye, or chalazion.

This may be due to me doing quite a bit of sweeping in my
room two days ago, with lots of dust blown up. The last time
I had that stye on June 15, it occurred right after I did the
same thing, i.e. sweeping and dusting.

Been having quite a lot of stress too these days with family
problems and lack of sleep.

Back to warm compresses, and antibiotic creams or drops again ?
I have two new bottles of Ciloxan (ciprofloxacin) and
Vigamox (moxifloxacin) eye drops.

I've taken a photo.