Eye nodule- is there any self care strategy?
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Hi, my friend, a 28-year-old man, is having a “lump on his eyelid” that he first noticed the day before and describes as being tender to the touch. He reports no pain or discharge from the eye, but indicates the nodule is starting to cause some mild irritation. He has not had any recent trauma to the eye. Some localized swelling and redness are there near the nodule location (at the base of an eyelash), and it does not appear to be associated with a loss of lashes or discoloration of the surrounding skin. Is there any self-care strategies to alleviate his symptoms?
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@Paromita Mild disorders of the eye and eyelid are very common. Your friend is most likely suffering from an external hordeolum or stye—an acute inflammation of the eyelid that usually arises from an occluded eyelash follicle or tear gland. For patients with symptoms of serious ocular disorders, referral for evaluation by a physician or ophthalmologist is critical to prevent treatment delays or vision loss; however, your friend reports generally mild symptoms. He does not report crusting, scaling, or significant reddening of the eyelid, which could indicate infection. Skin cancer of the eyelid, which can present as discolored nodules and a loss of eyelashes, is also an unlikely cause of his ailment. Styes usually resolve spontaneously, but for bothersome symptoms, patients may be counseled to apply warm compresses to the affected eyelid for 5 to 15 minutes several times per day—using a new compress each time and not using compresses that are too hot to minimize irritation and injury to the delicate eyelid skin. Homeopathic eye drops and ointments may be used for symptomatic relief of redness, discomfort, and irritation; however, there is little evidence to indicate that these products expedite healing or resolution of the stye itself. For symptoms that worsen or persist for more than a week with self-care, physician referral is warranted.