Antibiotic Ointments
A moderate stye may be treated with an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment. OTC ointments are applied by gently pulling the lid of the afflicted eye and placing roughly a quarter of an inch of the ointment inside the eyelid. Don’t put any ointment that is not intended for the eyes, even if it has anti-inflammatory ingredients, since it may exacerbate the irritation. Furthermore, antimicrobial eye medications are ineffective against external styes.
Erythromycin is the most widely used antibiotic treatment for styes which is available for topical application and oral use. Erythromycin is a macrolide drug used to inhibit bacterial reproduction and treat infections.
Treatment with oral antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, cephalosporin, and other protein synthesis inhibitor antibiotics, is often successful. While the stye usually disappears within two days, the entire course of antibiotic treatment—typically seven days—is necessary for complete clearance.
Still, a dermatologist or eye specialist visit is necessary for a stye with a severe ache that causes visual impairment and is resistant to over-the-counter pain relievers. An eye doctor may recommend oral antibiotics for recurrent or chronic styes. Except in rare cases, topical antibiotics are no longer the standard treatment for chronic styes.
