My eyes keep developing styes which inflame - how do I prevent them in the first place

asks PHD:

A. A stye (also called a hordeolum) is a small abscess. It usually forms in a single sebaceous gland draining into an eyelash follicle.

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Q. What causes it
A. It is caused by bacterial infection. As the infection works its way to the surface of your skin, a sac of pus usually appears and bursts within a week.

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Symptoms are a small, red bump at the edge of your eyelid, and an unpleasant gritty feeling, as if something was in your eye.

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Q. Are they infectious
A. Yes, very. Styes will spread easily, so avoid touching them. You should wash your hands frequently, and don't share a face cloth, towel or pillowcase with anyone else.

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Q. How do I treat them
A. They usually go away on their own, but there are things you can do to help:

• Gently remove the affected eyelash so that pus can drain away.
• Never try to squeeze the stye or you will spread the infection.
• Never rub your eyes while you have a stye.
• Bathe your eye regularly - use an infusion of camomile, eyebright (euphrasia) or marigold (calendula) tea (you can use a freshly used and cooled camomile teabag as a compress).
• Hot compresses applied for 15 minutes every couple of hours can help to drain the stye.

Q. Do I need to go to the doctor
A. Only if your stye keeps getting bigger, doesn't burst and drain after a week, interferes with your vision, you have more than one stye at a time, or your have frequently recurring styes.

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Q. How can I prevent them
A. Recurring styes are an indication that your immune system needs a boost. Take a quality, high-dose vitamin and mineral supplement every day, and an echinacea supplement when you get a stye.

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You could also cut down on sugar, coffee, alcohol and fried foods - all of which can lower your natural immunity.

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By Sheena Miller