Eye Sty

[veens]

Does anyone else have extremely sensitive eyes and get Stys because of makeup? I wear eyeliner every day and just enough mascara. Never like too much of mascara nor wear false lashes. Don't wear shadows and all every day. Only for occasions so may be once a week or two weeks. My eyes are ok with the makeup. They don't water or burn.

However sometimes I get these stys (like pimples inside the eye). I try so hard to remove them by applying warm water many times a day, with sty relief drops etc. And rush to the doctor to get prescription drops. But sometimes I am not successful in getting rid of them myself and they get hard before I go to the doctor and then we have to give local anaesthesia and pinch it and remove it. (Ouch. Yes I have done that 3-4 times in the last 20 years already but mainly because of contact lens bacteria). I have changed to daily lenses and since then I don't get them because of the lenses but now it is the makeup. I try my best to remove the makeup when I wear it with eye make up removers and thorough washing but wanted to see if any one also has this problem and if you have any recommendations. I bet a lot of you wear a lot more eye makeup than I do and just wondering if I am the only one who has this problem.

[Kim888]

@veens It's hard when you are using a lot of brands but trying to find what is triggering them is the best way to go. I got them a few times as a teenager and then maybe 6-8 months ago I bought an eye cream (with a pump so not contaminated) and within a week of using it I got one. I wasn't using any product around the area while it was healing and the second I started using the cream again I got another one. So i just got rid of the product but it was so weird because the my skin gets a long so well with the rest of the line. 

So I think the best thing to do is try and see if there are one or two products triggering it and then just get rid of them. 

[veens]

@Kim888 thank you. That makes sense. Few months ago when it happened I think I was trying a lot products at the stores. Since then I am being very careful with anything I am testing near the eye at the stores. Last month I can't tell if it was the eye cream or just the mascara. Most likely eye cream got in. I am going to be careful with the creams. 

[k617]

After getting a stye from your eye products, do you throw them away?

Shadows are probably ok if disinfected, and eye pencils are likely OK if you sharpen the tip away. Mascara and liquid liners would have to be thrown out.

I've gotten maybe notable styes 5 times in the 30 years in my life, once a week sounds really excessive. I would definitely check all your makeup brushes, tools and potentially contaminated items and throw away anything that could be causing your recurring styes.

[vtpj]

You have to be very, very clean when using anything around your eyes! That’s one reason cosmetic manufacturers are now putting less product in mascaras, so you don’t keep them so long because germs get into mascara quickly! Even rubbing your eyes can cause a sty. Even if your hands are clean you can accidentally rub your eyes not even thinking about it! Your make up brushes can cause sty’s if they are not cleaned regularly. If you are prom to stys then cleanliness is even more important in your case. Also, there is a possibility you could be allergic to eye make up! You should try keeping everything you use around your eyes seriously clean, if you have disposable things you can use that would be even better plus keep your contacts clean and don’t sleep in them! The longer you wear them the more germs get on them. Just because they are on your eyes doesn’t mean they stay clean. Sleeping in contact lenses is one of the leading causes of eye infections. Hope this can help you even if just a little!

[ellie50]

I've never had a stye but they are caused by staphylococcal bacteria.  A stye is typically caused when an oil gland at the edge of the eye or eyelash follicle gets infected.  Throw out any eye products (makeup or skin care) and applicators you're using when you get an infection - the bacteria can survive in make up products and cause a re-infection. There are eye-washing techniques described for those who get stye's but check with your doctor before you use any of them to make sure first that what you have is a stye and that the products are not too strong for your eyes (that can cause irritation).