Symptoms:
What appears to be a small pimple develops on the eyelid.

Cause:
The oil gland has become infected, inflaming the tissues of the eyelid.

Treatment:
• Do not delay solving this problem. If it does not quickly heal, it may need to be drained by a professional. Do not squeeze the lump; this may result in spreading the infection more widely. Sties can be dangerous, so do not be casual about them.

• Take adequate vitamin A; more so, if you have sties frequently. Go on a 5-day fruit fast, plus carrot and celery juice. Keep the bowels clean with an enema every morning.

• Do not eat refined, fried, and processed foods; meats; unsaturated oils; salt; alcohol; tobacco; dairy products; or white flour.

• Chopped and diced carrots or mashed potatoes (raw or cooked) can be made into a poultice and applied over the area. They can be left on for an hour and repeated 3 times a day.

• Hot compresses on the area are sometimes recommended; but keep in mind that it was a very hot compress which blinded young Fanny Crosby.

• Partially hot compress, alternated with cold, will help draw the pus to a head and then break it open.

• Drink 3 cups of goldenseal tea or eyebright to help clean the liver. Fennel or myrrh may be substituted.

• In tenacious cases, antibiotics may be necessary.