A stye, or hordeolum, is a painful, pus-filled bump that develops on the eyelid. It's caused by an infection of the oil gland (meibomian gland) or hair follicle at the eyelid's edge. While tempting to cover it up, applying makeup with a stye can hinder healing and potentially worsen the infection. Let's explore this further.
Should I Avoid Makeup While I Have a Stye?
Yes, it's strongly recommended to avoid wearing any eye makeup while you have a stye. Here's why:
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Increased Risk of Infection: Makeup, especially eye makeup, harbors bacteria. Applying it to an already infected area introduces more bacteria, potentially worsening the stye or leading to other eye infections. The bacteria can get trapped under the eyelid, prolonging the healing process.
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Irritation and Inflammation: Makeup can irritate the sensitive skin around your eye, particularly when inflamed due to a stye. This can exacerbate the pain, swelling, and redness associated with the infection.
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Obstructed Healing: Makeup can block the stye from draining properly. Styes typically heal by draining pus, and makeup acts as a barrier, impeding this natural process.
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Spread of Infection: Using contaminated makeup brushes or applicators can spread the infection to your other eye or even other parts of your face.
What Types of Makeup Should I Absolutely Avoid?
Avoid all eye makeup, including:
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Mascara: This is the most problematic, as the wand can easily transfer bacteria directly into the infected area.
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Eyeliner: Applying eyeliner near the infected area increases irritation and the risk of infection spread.
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Eyeshadow: While seemingly less direct, eyeshadow can still contribute to irritation and bacterial contamination.
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Eye Primer: Even a primer, meant to create a smooth base, can still trap bacteria and irritate the sensitive skin.
How Long Should I Avoid Makeup?
You should avoid eye makeup until the stye is completely healed. This usually takes a week or two. You'll know it's healed when the swelling, redness, and pain have subsided, and the pus has completely drained.
What Can I Do to Speed Up Healing?
While avoiding makeup is crucial, there are other steps you can take to speed up the healing process:
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Warm Compresses: Applying warm compresses several times a day can help the stye drain.
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Good Hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes. Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
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Clean Makeup Brushes: If you haven't already, thoroughly clean your makeup brushes with a gentle cleanser to prevent reinfection after the stye heals.
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Consult a Doctor: If your stye doesn't improve within a week or two, or if it's particularly painful or severe, see an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
Can I Wear Other Makeup?
You can continue to wear other makeup (foundation, blush, lipstick, etc.) as long as you avoid the eye area and maintain good hygiene practices. However, always prioritize your eye health and avoid applying any products near the infected area.
What if My Stye is Small and Doesn't Seem Serious?
Even a small stye should be treated with care. Following the advice above will help to prevent it from worsening and to promote faster healing. Ignoring a stye may lead to a more severe infection and prolong recovery.
By avoiding makeup and following these guidelines, you can help your stye heal properly and avoid further complications. Remember, prioritizing your eye health is always the best approach.
