I need help soon.. too much pain

[girlhealthfreak]

Friday night I started having pain under my felt eye (eyelid to be exact) but i thought it was just a hair or something. But I woke up yesterday morning to find my left eyelid completely swollen and the pain is unbearable. I used genticin eyedrops but it didn't help. Then this morning I woke to find the condition worsening so I went to the hospital. The doctor told me that I had a clogged hair follicle in my lower eyelid. Is that some medical term for a boil??? Its only swollen and hurting and there is no presence of any boil "head" or acne looking skin problem. I beleive they call it the carbuncle. She prescribed terramycin and I will fill it out tomorrow. But does any one know what I could use besides a hot compress (she prescribed that also) to help relieve the swelling. I tried that, but its like the pain worsens. Thanks in advance. I really need relief.

[girlhealthfreak]

Thanks

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You can also use an over the counter eyelid cleaner to remove the oil, scale and debris: TheraTears SteriLid, Occusoft & Eye-Scrub.

JCH III MD

[girlhealthfreak]

At last, the pain is over! This thing (sty) in my eye finally popped. However I'm still using the Terremacin to prevent infection, plus I have 2 1/2 days of antibiotics to go. Hope I don't have to go through this ordeal again. However, to anyone who has a sty (and is sure that it is) Ue terramycin and augmentin ooh... and hot compresses! It really works.

DON'T FORGET TO CLEAN THE EYES AND WASH HANDS BEFORE AND AFTER! REGULARLY

[girlhealthfreak]

I went back to the hospital and they prescribed augmentin to help treat the infection. Hopefull this could be the cure to this fustrting problem. Will advise if this works

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Hello GHF      It won't spread to the other eye unless 1. You get pus on your fingers then transfer it to the other eye (wash your hands before and after putting in your medication or cleaning your eyelid) OR your problem is caused by over-active oil glands that plug up (blepharitis) since this usually occurs on all 4 eyelids.

If you stye "pops" that's a good thing. It will heal faster if the pus drains out.

Use the search feature on this page to search "blepharitis", "stye", "chalazion" also use a internet search engine and read about these conditions and how to treat them.

There is a over the counter eye lid cleaner that works good to remove oil and make up: TheraTears SteriLid eyelid cleaner other good brands are Ocusoft eyelid cleaner and Eye-Scrub.

JCH III MD Eye MD

[girlhealthfreak]

I'm beginning to see a small white mass on inside of the lower eyelid. However I have been using teabags soaked in water to relieve the swelling, apparently it worked. Now i'm putting the terramycin to help prevent any further infection of the eye or even brain if this thing decides to erupt while I'm asleep. is it pissible that this infection could spread to the other unaffected eye? If so, what preventative mesures can be taken to avoid this occurrence? Additionally, how should I clean the erupted sty (if it reaches that level)? Thanks in advance

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Styes if they respond 7-10 days to peak, longer to clear completely. If it's a chalazion may take 6-8 weeks to shrink and clear.

JCH III MD

[girlhealthfreak]

I have taken the medicine but there is no improvement. I don't understand why there isn't any change in my condition. How long does a sty last for? I've had it since sat.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Hello girlhealthfreak      Why would you wait till tomorrow to fill the medicine when you're hurting and have the problem now? Get it now--today at a 24 hr pharmacy.  An infected eyelid gland or eyelid follicle is a 'stye", a blocked oil gland it a "chalazion". Both can exist at the same time and your can get an infected chalazion.  Of the two the stye is the more painful. A "carbuncle" is just a medical term for a boil and is not normally applied to the eye.

If you don't see a rapid improvement over the next 12 hrs, call early Monday for an appointment with an Eye MD (ophthalmologist).

JCH MD Eye Physician & Surgeon