HEALTH

Your Bod

I have this gross bump on my eyelid, and its so painful. What is it?

Sounds like a sty—a red, painful lump, caused by a bacterial infection, at the root of your eyelash. It fills with puss and swells, but fortunately, Dr. Maureen O’Neil of Santa Monica, Calif., says sties usually disappear in a few days. Meantime, relieve the pain by applying a warm, damp cloth to your eyelid 10 minutes, four times a day. To prevent further infections, keep the area clean and dry. Also, wash your hands frequently, and keep them away from your eyes. If the sty stays or affects your vision, see your doc. She might prescribe a topical antibiotic cream, or pierce the pesky lump to relieve pressure.

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by GL | 2/1/2016
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