Stye on the eye: how to get rid of it and what not to do

A stye is a small, painful red lump on the edge of the eyelid, near the base of the eyelashes. It is caused by a blocked, infected oil gland and is very common. Most styes are not serious and clear up on their own within a week or two, and a warm compress is the main thing that helps.

This page is general information to help you treat a stye safely and know when to get help. It is not a diagnosis. Anything affecting your eye or vision is worth taking seriously, so if you're unsure or it isn't improving, see a doctor, optometrist, or pharmacist.

What is a stye?

A stye (medical name hordeolum) is a small abscess — a pocket of infection — that forms at the base of an eyelash or in one of the tiny oil glands along the edge of the eyelid. It usually looks like a red, swollen lump, sometimes with a yellowish spot of pus at the centre.

A stye most often affects just one eyelid and one spot. It can appear on the upper or lower lid, and the area around it may feel sore, swollen, and tender. A stye is not the same as a chalazion, which is a firmer, usually painless lump that forms when an oil gland becomes blocked without the same active infection — though the two can look similar at first.

What causes a stye?

A stye is caused by a bacterial infection of an oil gland or eyelash follicle on the eyelid — most often by Staphylococcus bacteria that normally live harmlessly on the skin. The gland becomes blocked and infected, and the lump forms.

Some things make a stye more likely:

• Touching or rubbing your eyes with unwashed hands
• Old or shared eye make-up, especially mascara and eyeliner
• Wearing contact lenses, particularly if they aren't cleaned and handled hygienically
• Blepharitis — long-term inflammation of the eyelid edges
• Skin conditions such as rosacea or seborrhoeic dermatitis

Getting a stye doesn't mean you've done anything wrong — they're common and can happen to anyone. Good eyelid hygiene simply makes them less likely.

What are the symptoms of a stye?

The main symptom of a stye is a small, painful lump on the eyelid, usually with some redness and swelling. It often comes on over a day or two.

Common symptoms include:

• A red, swollen lump on the edge of the eyelid
• Pain or tenderness in the lump and the area around it
• A yellow spot of pus at the centre, in many cases
• A gritty, "something in the eye" feeling
• Watering of the eye and sometimes mild crusting along the lid

The eye itself usually feels fine, even though the lid is sore. If your vision is affected, or the whole eye becomes painful or very red, that goes beyond a typical stye and should be checked — see the section on when to get help.

How do I get rid of a stye safely?

The single most effective home treatment for a stye is a warm compress, which helps the blocked gland soften and drain naturally. Most styes settle within a week or two with this simple care.

To use a warm compress:

• Soak a clean flannel or cloth in warm (not hot) water and wring it out.
• Hold it gently against the closed eye for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Repeat 2 to 4 times a day until the stye improves.

The warmth encourages the stye to come to a head and release its contents on its own. You can also take over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if it's sore, following the instructions on the pack. A pharmacist can advise on suitable products and tell you whether you need to see someone.

What should I not do?

Do not try to burst, squeeze, or pop a stye, and do not pull out the eyelash. This is the most important rule, because squeezing can push the infection deeper, spread it to nearby glands, and make things worse.

While a stye is healing, also avoid:

• Wearing contact lenses — switch to glasses until it has cleared, and don't reuse lenses that were in when the stye appeared.
• Wearing eye make-up, which can irritate the area, delay healing, and reintroduce bacteria. Replace old eye make-up rather than reusing it afterwards.
• Rubbing or touching the eye with unwashed hands.
• Sharing towels, flannels, or make-up with anyone else.

If a stye drains on its own, gently wipe away the pus with a clean cloth and clean water, then wash your hands. Don't help it along by squeezing.

How can I prevent styes from coming back?

The best way to prevent styes is good eyelid and hand hygiene, which reduces the bacteria that cause them. This is especially worth doing if you tend to get styes repeatedly.

Helpful habits include:

• Wash your hands before touching your eyes or handling contact lenses.
• Remove eye make-up before bed, and replace mascara and eyeliner regularly rather than keeping them for years.
• Don't share eye make-up, towels, or flannels.
• Keep contact lenses clean and follow the care instructions.
• Manage blepharitis if you have it, with regular gentle eyelid cleaning, as this is a common reason styes keep returning.

When should I see a doctor?

See a GP or optometrist if a stye doesn't start to improve within a week or two, keeps coming back, or is getting more painful or swollen rather than better. You should get help sooner if the problem seems to be spreading beyond the eyelid.

Get medical advice if you have:

• A stye that doesn't clear within a couple of weeks
• Redness or swelling spreading beyond the eyelid onto the face
• Pain or swelling that's getting worse
• Any change to your vision
• A lump that's hard and painless and doesn't go away (this may be a chalazion, which sometimes needs different treatment)
• Styes that keep recurring

Occasionally a stye can be accompanied by tender, swollen glands near the ear or jaw if the area becomes more infected — another reason to get it looked at. Seek prompt help if the eye itself becomes very painful or red, or your vision is affected, as eye problems are best assessed quickly. This page is background information and not a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional.