Best Method to Reduce Swelling?

What's the rationale behind using a penny?? Seems to me that something dirty that's been handled by lots of people would have no relevance to an eye problem, and could possibly make things worse! I'm thinking that your stye went away on its own through your body's own immune system. I'd be interested in any reliable data you have that says why a penny worked!

It depends why she is swollen. Typically, ice is used - 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. If she doesn't have a small frozen flexible ice pack (some of which instruct you to wrap in a towel or cloth first), she can use a small baggie of frozen corn or peas - the flexible nature will allow it to lie flat on the curve of her face, more so than a rigid ice pack that you would put in a cooler. If the skin is broken and there's any possibility that the swelling is due to infection, she should treat that with a topical antibacterial agent, assuming it's not going to get into her eye in any way. I'm not sure how far the scratch is from her eye. If there's concern beyond that, she might want to give her doctor a call.

There is a natural anti-inflammatory that can help too.

I hesitate to suggest over-the-counter drugs without knowing her medical issues - side effects are possible with any of them.

I always use ice. Ten minutes. Repeat throughout the day.
Updated: Now that I think about it - if it looks like a sty (which is a bacterial infection) make sure it's not swollen because the scratch is infected, especially where it's next to her eye. It could be from a dog scratch.

ice.
a scratch is not a stye. why treat them the same?
khairete
S.

Since it was a scratch and not a sty I would use some ice and make sure the wound is clean. Never heard about a penny for a sty or swelling, but I wouldn't want it that close to my eye or an open wound (think about how many people have touched it).

Omega 3's help with inflammation so that may work too, you would have to apply the oil to the swollen area.