Stye: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Learn about styes, their causes, symptoms, and effective home remedies to treat this common eye infection.
What Is a Stye?
A stye, medically known as a hordeolum, is a painful red bump that develops on or near the eyelid due to a bacterial infection in the oil-producing glands. This common eye condition is often compared to an acne pimple and can be quite tender to the touch. While styes are extremely prevalent and typically resolve on their own within one to two weeks, some severe cases may require professional treatment from an eye care provider, including drainage procedures or antibiotic prescriptions to reduce the infection.
The condition develops when bacteria, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus, infiltrates the oil glands in the eyelids, causing inflammation and the formation of a painful lump. This bacterium is naturally found on the skin, eyelids, and eyelashes in about 20 to 30 percent of human nasal cavities without causing harm, but it can become problematic when it enters the oil glands.
Understanding Different Types of Styes
Styes manifest in two distinct forms, each with unique characteristics and locations on the eyelid:
External Styes
External styes are the more common type and develop on the outer part of the upper or lower eyelid. These form when the eyelash follicles become infected with bacteria. You can typically see an external stye as a visible bump near the base of your eyelashes, and it may appear similar to a small pimple on the eyelid’s edge.
Internal Styes
Internal styes form on the inner eyelid on the side that faces your eyeball. These develop when the meibomian gland, which produces oils to keep your eye moisturized, becomes infected. Internal styes may be more uncomfortable since they are in direct contact with the eye itself and are often not as visible from the outside.
What Causes a Stye?
Styes are caused by bacterial infections in your eyelid’s oil-producing glands, and they are most common in adults. This is because adults’ oil glands are typically thicker and more prone to blockages than children’s glands. The condition can develop when you rub your eyes with dirty hands, use expired or contaminated cosmetics, or share eye makeup with others.
Risk Factors for Developing a Stye
While styes are extremely common and most people will experience one at least once in their lifetime, certain risk factors increase your likelihood of developing this condition:
– Previous stye infections- Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid)- Certain skin conditions including acne, rosacea, or dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis)- Diabetes- Dry eye syndrome- Hormonal changes- High cholesterol levels (elevated lipids)- Poor eyelid hygiene- Touching or rubbing eyes frequently with unclean hands
Recognizing Stye Symptoms
While the most distinctive symptom of a stye is the trademark red bump along your eyelid, several other symptoms may accompany this condition:
– Swelling of part or entire eyelid- Eye discharge or pus- Crusting around the eyelid- Increased light sensitivity- Soreness and itching sensation- Excessive eye tearing- Scratching feeling underneath the eye- Tenderness when touching the affected area- General discomfort during blinking
These symptoms can vary in intensity depending on whether you have an internal or external stye and how severe the infection has become.
Stye vs. Chalazion: Understanding the Difference
Styes are often confused with another eyelid condition called a chalazion. While both appear as bumps on the eyelid, they have important differences. A chalazion is a painless, slow-growing bump that forms farther back on the eyelid and is caused by blocked oil glands rather than bacterial infection. Unlike a stye, which develops from bacterial infection, a chalazion results from inflammation and irritation of the oil glands.
The key distinction is that styes are painful and develop quickly, while chalazia are typically painless and develop slowly over time. Additionally, styes form closer to the eyelash line, whereas chalazia appear deeper within the eyelid tissue. While treatment for both conditions is similar, it’s important not to confuse them, as a chalazion may require different management if it persists longer than a few weeks.
How to Treat a Stye at Home
While an overnight cure is unlikely, you may experience significant relief after starting prompt home care. Most styes take seven to ten days to heal with proper at-home treatment. Here are effective methods to reduce pain and swelling:
Apply Warm Compresses
One of the most effective at-home remedies is applying a warm compress to the affected area. Soak a clean cloth in warm (not hot) water and apply it to your closed eyelid for 10 to 15 minutes, several times daily. This helps relieve pain, reduces inflammation, and can help the stye drain naturally. The warmth increases blood circulation to the area, promoting healing.
Use Over-the-Counter Medications
Over-the-counter eye drops and ointments designed for eye infections may help reduce symptoms. These products can soothe irritation and provide temporary relief from discomfort. However, consult your pharmacist to ensure you select an appropriate product for styes.
Try Baby Shampoo Cleaning
Gently cleaning the eyelid with diluted baby shampoo can help remove bacteria and crusting. Mix a small amount of baby shampoo with warm water and use a clean cloth to gently cleanse the area around the stye. This helps maintain hygiene and may prevent the spread of infection.
Avoid Makeup and Contact Lenses
During a stye infection, it’s best to forgo makeup, particularly eye makeup, as it can introduce additional bacteria or irritate the area further. Similarly, avoid wearing contact lenses until the stye has completely healed to prevent complications or prolonged infection.
What NOT to Do
It’s crucial not to squeeze, pop, or attempt to drain a stye yourself. Squeezing the stye can cause the infection to spread, making it worse and potentially leading to more inflammation. Attempting to pop it can also introduce additional bacteria, prolonging healing time and increasing discomfort.
When to Seek Professional Treatment
Most styes resolve within one to two weeks without medical intervention. However, you should contact your healthcare provider if:
– Your eyelid is so swollen it’s shutting- Pus or blood is leaking from the bump- Pain or swelling increases after a couple of days- Blisters have formed around the stye- Your eyelid feels hot to the touch- Your vision has changed or become blurred- Styes keep coming back repeatedly- The stye doesn’t improve within one to two weeks with home remedies- The stye becomes extremely painful or affects your vision- You develop fever or other concerning symptoms
If you experience any of these warning signs, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor. Your doctor will determine whether you need further treatment or a biopsy to identify the root cause of recurrent styes.
Professional Treatment Options
If a stye persists beyond one to two weeks or doesn’t respond to home remedies, your healthcare provider may recommend professional treatment. Options may include:
Antibiotic Medications
Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or oral antibiotics to combat the bacterial infection. These medications help reduce the infection and associated inflammation, speeding up the healing process.
Drainage Procedure
For severe styes that don’t respond to antibiotics, your eye care provider may perform an in-office procedure to drain the stye. This minor procedure is typically performed after injecting local anesthetic in the skin overlying the stye, making it a relatively painless process. Drainage can provide immediate relief from pressure and discomfort.
How Long Does a Stye Last?
Styes typically last about three days before rupturing, followed by about a week of continued healing. In total, most styes resolve within seven to fourteen days when left untreated. With appropriate home care, healing time is generally reduced to seven to ten days. However, individual healing times can vary based on the severity of the infection, your immune system, and whether professional treatment is sought.
Preventing Future Styes
While styes cannot always be prevented, you can reduce your risk by following these guidelines:
– Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching or rubbing your eyes with unclean hands- Remove contact lenses before sleeping and clean them according to manufacturer instructions- Replace eye makeup regularly and discard old cosmetics- Don’t share eye makeup, makeup applicators, or cosmetic containers with others- Clean your eyelids gently with baby shampoo if you’re prone to styes- Maintain good overall hygiene and follow a healthy diet- Manage underlying conditions like diabetes or dry eye syndrome- Avoid using expired or contaminated makeup products- Replace pillowcases frequently to reduce bacterial exposure
Frequently Asked Questions About Styes
Q: Can a stye affect my vision?
A: While a stye won’t directly affect your eyeball or vision, it can become so swollen that it droops down into your line of sight, temporarily obscuring vision. If you experience vision problems due to a stye, consult your eye care provider.
Q: Is a stye contagious?
A: Styes are caused by bacterial infections, primarily Staphylococcus aureus. While the bacteria itself is common, direct transmission of an active stye is uncommon. However, sharing eye makeup, towels, or other personal items can potentially spread the bacteria to others.
Q: Can I wear contact lenses with a stye?
A: It’s best to avoid wearing contact lenses while you have a stye. Contact lenses can trap bacteria and irritate the infection, prolonging healing. Switch to glasses during treatment and resume contacts once the stye has completely healed.
Q: What’s the difference between an internal and external stye?
A: External styes develop on the outer eyelid near the eyelash line and are more common and visible. Internal styes form inside the eyelid and may be less visible but potentially more uncomfortable as they’re in direct contact with the eye.
Q: Can I use makeup remover on a stye?
A: It’s best to avoid applying makeup remover or other products directly to the stye. Instead, focus on gentle cleaning with diluted baby shampoo and warm water compresses.
Q: Should I apply heat or cold to a stye?
A: Warm compresses are recommended for styes as they promote blood circulation and help drain the infection. Cold compresses are generally not recommended, as styes respond better to warmth.
Q: Can recurring styes indicate a serious health problem?
A: While most styes are harmless, recurring styes may indicate underlying conditions such as blepharitis, diabetes, or compromised immune function. If you experience frequent styes, consult your healthcare provider to rule out underlying causes.
References
- What Is a Stye? — Cleveland Eye Clinic. 2025-02-13. https://clevelandeyeclinic.com/2025/02/13/what-is-a-stye/
- What Causes a Stye and the Best Ways to Get Rid of One — Duke Eye Center. https://dukeeyecenter.duke.edu/news/what-causes-stye-and-best-ways-get-rid-one-featuring-singh
- How To Get Rid of a Stye (Overnight?) — Cleveland Clinic Health. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-rid-of-a-stye
- Why You Shouldn’t Pop a Stye — Cleveland Clinic Health. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-you-pop-a-stye
- Chalazion vs. Stye: What’s the Difference? — Cleveland Clinic Health. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/chalazion-vs-stye
- Lid Cyst and Stye — Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/health-hub/health-resource/diseases-and-conditions/lid-cyst-and-stye
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