Eye Styes & How To Get Rid of Them

The doctor uses a small needle for this to reduce the risk of discomfort. The total procedure only takes a few minutes. Before administering the injection, the doctor may numb the area to further reduce discomfort.

How to Definitively Get Rid of a Stye (Safe Treatment)

Medically Reviewed by Tom Tooma, M.D., Founder/Medical Director

Fact Checked

Last Updated Dec 12, 2022

Most styes heal with minimal intervention. Knowing the right methods to use, what to avoid doing, and when to seek help from a doctor is imperative to get rid of a stye.

Americans see their primary care doctors less often than they did a decade ago. Adults under 65 made nearly 25% fewer visits to primary care providers in 2016 than they did in 2018, according to National Public Radio. In the same time period, the number of adults who went at least a year without visiting a primary care provider increased from 38% to 46%.

A stye is a common infection affecting the eyelid. Some styes can affect the whole eyelid, and they tend to be very painful.

Table of Contents

• What Are Styes?
• Causes
• Stye vs. Chalzion
• Treatments
• Home Remedies
• Medical Treatments
• Other Treatments
• Prevention
• Frequently Asked Questions

A stye is caused by bacteria building up. There are several potential causes, such as meibomian gland dysfunction or chronic blepharitis.

Once a stye is present, the pain and discomfort encourage people to start treating it. There are many old wives’ tales that can do more harm than good. It is important to only use approved treatments and methods to alleviate the symptoms.

For many styes, conservative methods that you use at home are enough to treat the problem. However, there are cases where you may need to seek treatment from a doctor to reduce your discomfort and to encourage your stye to heal.

What Are Styes?

A stye is a lump that develops under the eyelid or at the eyelash base. It is red and painful. In most cases, a bacterial infection causes styes. There are two types of styes.

• Internal: This stye develops inside the eyelid. When an oil-producing gland gets infected, this type of stye can result.
• External: This stye develops at the eyelash base. It sometimes resembles a pimple. When a hair follicle gets infected, this type of stye can occur.

When a stye first starts to develop, the eyelid can be tender when someone touches it and red. The eye may be scratchy and sore. Other stye symptoms may include:

• A small pus spot at the center of the stye bump.
• Sensitivity to light.
• Tearing of the eye.
• The sensation of something being stuck in the eye.
• Crust along the eyelid margin.

Causes of Styes

Everyone is at risk for styes. The following can increase the risk of developing a stye:

• Blepharitis, a condition characterized by oily flakes and bacteria at the eyelash base causing swelling, redness, and a burning sensation of the eyelid
• Seborrheic dermatitis, acne rosacea, or a similar skin condition
• A history of styes
• Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes

Treating a Stye Versus a Chalzion

It is important to distinguish between a chalazion and a stye before starting treatment. In some cases, they can look similar.

When an oil gland in the eyelid gets clogged, a chalazion can develop. It takes the form of an eyelid bump.

A chalazion can begin as an internal stye. A chalazion might not be apparent at first since it is often painless, or the pain is minimal. But as it gets bigger, the affected eyelid can become swollen, red, and tender when someone touches it.

Once a chalazion gets big, blurry vision can occur if someone presses on the eye. In rare cases, the entire eyelid can become swollen.

Telling the difference between a stye and a chalazion comes down to two factors:

• The pain of a stye is typically significant, while the pain of a chalazion is minimal, if felt at all.
• With a stye, the whole eyelid can sometimes be affected. With a chalazion, it is rare that the whole eyelid swells.

Home Treatments

recommend saline solution to break down bacterial membranes and promote drainage.

Before using any home remedy, it is important to consult a doctor. They can advise on how to properly use these methods. They will also accurately diagnose a stye and instruct on the best treatments for the particular situation.

In some instances, home remedies will not be enough, and medical treatment may be necessary.

Medical Treatments

Antibiotics

These are usually either an eye drop or an ointment. The eye drops are applied directly to the eye, and the ointment is applied directly to the affected area.

There are cases where an oral antibiotic might be considered:

• The infection has spread to other areas of the eye.
• The doctor had to surgically drain an internal stye.

Steroid Shots

Inflammation and swelling can occur when someone has a stye. If these are significant, the doctor might recommend an injection to reduce both the inflammation and swelling. The injections use corticosteroids.

The doctor uses a small needle for this to reduce the risk of discomfort. The total procedure only takes a few minutes. Before administering the injection, the doctor may numb the area to further reduce discomfort.

Surgical Draining

If other methods fail to provide relief, the doctor might recommend surgically draining the stye. While rare, superficial cellulitis may develop as a result of a stye. This could lead to an abscess, which is a more serious infection. A mass occurs that is filled with pus and swollen. Draining this is important.

This procedure is done in the doctor’s office. Following the drainage, the doctor might also prescribe antibiotics for up to 10 days to clear the infection.

If a chalazion develops from a stye and does not go away after 30 to 60 days of other treatments, the doctor may recommend surgically draining it. This procedure is also performed in the doctor’s office and takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

The doctor numbs the eyelid before making the small incision to drain it. Within the nodule, any material and fluid are removed and drained. In most cases, people do not need stitches after this surgery.

Following the procedure, the doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or cream for approximately one week. A pressure eye patch may also be applied.

Other Treatment Options

In addition to these treatments, there are eyelid scrubs that may be beneficial. There are different types of scrubs available. Some are similar to a shampoo. Gently scrub the stye and surrounding area using this type of scrub.

They contain different active ingredients. Some contain melaleuca alternifolia, a tea tree oil active ingredient, and others contain hypochlorous acid, a type of natural chemical. Some scrubs contain 4-terpineol. The scrubs with this active ingredient may be recommended if someone has underlying blepharitis.

Since styes are a type of bacterial infection, don’t just ignore them. Make sure to only used approved treatments. Talk to a doctor if the stye gets worse or does not improve.

Preventing Future Styes

Cleanliness is the best way to prevent future styes. Follow these tips:

• Practice good hygiene. Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching your eyes.
• Remove eye makeup. Cleanse your face every night, carefully removing all makeup from around your eyes.
• Use clean towels. Never use a dirty towel around your eyes.
• Replace makeup regularly. Bacteria can form on old makeup. Aim to replace all eye makeup every six months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Remove a Stye?

While a stye is not technically removed from the eye, it can be surgically drained if other treatment methods fail to provide relief.

While rare, superficial cellulitis may develop as a result of a stye. This could lead to an abscess, which is a more serious infection. A mass occurs that is filled with pus and swollen. Draining this is important.

This procedure is done in the doctor’s office. Following the drainage, the doctor might also prescribe antibiotics for up to 10 days to clear the infection.

If a chalazion develops from a stye and does not go away after 30 to 60 days of other treatments, the doctor may recommend surgically draining it. This procedure is also performed in the doctor’s office and takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

The doctor numbs the eyelid before making the small incision to drain it. Within the nodule, all material and fluid are removed and drained. In most cases, people do not need stitches after this surgery.

Following the procedure, the doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or cream to be used for approximately one week. A pressure eye patch may also be applied.

Popping & Other Methods: What Not to Do

When a stye develops, there are certain actions to avoid since doing these things could worsen the problem. You may want to get rid of the stye as fast as possible, but ensuring safe treatment should take precedence.

Never pop a stye. This could increase the risk of further infection that could spread into the eye.

Keep the eye area clean. Avoid contact lenses or makeup until the stye heals completely. These could irritate the stye and potentially cause additional issues and more intense discomfort.

Are Styes Contagious?

Styes are not contagious. They are not spread through contact with other people. It is very rare to spread a stye to another person.

Since they develop due to bacteria, you could spread bacteria to your other eye that may lead to a stye there.

References

1. Stye and Chalazia. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
2. Who Is at Risk for Chalazia and Styes? American Academy of Ophthalmology.
3. Is It OK to Pop a Stye? American Academy of Ophthalmology.
4. Treatment and Symptoms of a Stye on the Eyelid. Verywell Health.
5. Sty (Stye): Management and Treatment. Cleveland Clinic.
6. The 8 Best Stye Remedies. Healthline.
7. What Can I Do About a Stye? Medical News Today.
8. Surgery for Style. New York University Langone Health.

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Eye Styes & How To Get Rid of Them

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In this article

What are Eye Styes?

An eye stye, also called a hordeolum or sty, is a common eye condition that causes a painful, red bump on the inside or outside of the eyelid. A stye resembles a small boil or pus-filled pimple.

Styes can develop on the lower or upper eyelids and usually form due to a bacterial infection. They can result in eyelid pain, inflammation, and swelling. However, styes usually aren’t serious medical conditions.

Types of Styes

Two types of styes can form on the eye, including:

• An external stye (external hordeolum). This type forms on the base of your eyelash.
• An internal stye(internal hordeolum). This forms within a small oil gland inside the eyelid and is commonly caused by a meibomian gland infection. These glands make up part of the film covering your eye.

Inflammation of a hair follicle causes an external stye. The outside of your eyelid may become swollen. However, an internal stye can form when the small oil glands that line the eyelid get clogged. This type of stye is inside your eyelid.

Styes vs. Chalazion

A chalazion, which is a chronic bump (inflammation) on the eyelid, is commonly mistaken for a stye. Although similar in appearance, a chalazion is not the same as a stye. Differences between a stye and a chalazion include:

• A stye is painful and usually forms closer to the edge of the eyelid
• A chalazion typically isn’t painful and tends to form on the inner side of the eyelid

Treatment for styes and chalazion are similar and may include:

• Warm compresses
• Oral antibiotics
• Steroid eye drops

Surgery may be necessary if the chalazion reduces your vision quality or becomes very large. Eye styes usually resolve on their own within a week or less with minor treatment.

What Causes Eye Styes?

A stye is caused by an infection in your eyelid gland. Staphylococcal bacteria cause 90 to 95 percent of eye styes. The painful lump forms when bacteria get trapped in a gland or eyelash follicle.

Also called a staph infection, this type of bacteria can spread from person to person. It can also spread from one eye to the other. Wash your hands with soap and hot water, and avoid rubbing your eye if you have a stye.

Risk Factors for a Stye

Anyone can get a stye. Certain factors may increase your risk of developing a stye, including:

• Touching your eyes with unclean hands
• Inserting contact lenses without disinfecting them
• Having itchy eyes from allergies
• Sleeping in eye makeup
• Using expired makeup
• Hormonal changes or high levels of stress

Causes of Recurring Styes

You’re more likely to get a stye if you’ve had one in the past. A recurring stye keeps coming back. If this happens to you, it may be due to the risk factors mentioned above. Additionally, recurring styes can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.

Medical issues that increase your risk for styes include:

Skin conditions

Certain skin conditions make you more likely to develop a stye. These include:

• Ocular rosacea. This is a chronic skin condition that causes facial redness around the eyes. Common symptoms include inflammation and a burning sensation.
• Seborrheic dermatitis. This is a common form of eczema. It causes scaly patches of skin, redness, and dandruff.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is eyelid inflammation. Symptoms are similar to those of styes, including eyelid swelling and redness. There are many possible causes of blepharitis, including:

• Bacterial infection
• Allergic reaction
• Malfunctioning oil gland

Call your healthcare provider if your eyelid is red, swollen, or irritated.

Diabetes

Having diabetes increases your risk for many eye problems, including styes. Managing your blood sugar can help prevent issues. If you have diabetes, see your eye doctor regularly to reduce your risk for styes and other conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy.

Cancer

Rarely, recurring styes are a sign of sebaceous carcinoma, a treatable form of cancer. Tell your doctor about any bump on your eyelid that keeps coming back in the same place.

Symptoms of an Eye Stye

The most obvious sign of a stye is a noticeable red swelling on or inside the eyelid. Other symptoms include:

• A painful bump on the eyelid
• A burning sensation
• Frequent watering of the affected eye
• Increased light sensitivity
• A gritty feeling of having something in your eye (foreign body sensation)
• Itchiness and discomfort near the affected area
• Generalized swelling of the upper or lower eyelid
• Crustiness near the eyelid margin (eye discharge)
• Tenderness when you touch the stye
• Ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid)
• In rare cases, the stye may hurt when blinking

How is an Eye Stye Diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider can diagnose a stye by looking at your eyelid and asking about your symptoms. They may use a light and magnifying lens to see your eyelid in more detail. They might also flip your eyelid to check the skin underneath.

Tests and exams usually aren’t necessary to diagnose a stye. If you have a recurring stye that keeps coming back in the same place, your doctor may recommend testing for cancerous cells. This involves removing a small amount of tissue and examining it under a microscope.

How is an Eye Stye Treated?

Most styes form on the edge of the eyelid and resolve on their own within four to five days. Don’t squeeze or rub the stye, as this can cause the infection to spread. Most styes rupture naturally before the healing process begins, which is normal.

If your child has a stye, make sure they don’t rub their face or pull on eyelashes. Doing so can spread bacteria, leading to the development of more styes.

Home Treatments for Styes

You can usually treat a stye with simple home care, including:

• Warm compresses. Soak a clean washcloth in warm water and apply it to the affected eyelid for 10 to 15 minutes, three to four times a day. This helps the stye drain faster.
• Nutritional supplements. Vitamin C and garlic supplements can boost your immune system and help your body fight the infection.
• Keep your eyelid clean. Gently wipe away crust or discharge with a mild solution of baby shampoo and water. Avoid rubbing the eye.
• Don’t wear makeup or contact lenses. If you typically wear contacts, use your eyeglasses until the stye heals.

Over-the-counter painkillers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, do not speed up the stye healing process.

Stye Treatment from a Doctor

While most styes resolve on their own with home care, some larger or more painful infections may require medical treatment. Conventional treatment of styes include:

Antibiotics

Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment or antibiotic eyedrops. Oral antibiotics may be necessary if the staph infection spreads beyond the eyelid.

If the stye doesn’t respond to antibiotic treatment, call your doctor. You may have a chalazion or a more severe condition.

Surgery

If the stye doesn’t go away with home remedies or antibiotic treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery. After numbing your eyelid, they will make a small incision to drain the bump.

Your doctor will likely examine the drained material under a microscope to look for cancerous cells.

What is the Outlook for an Eye Stye?

Most styes resolve without further problems. When the stye begins draining, you should notice an improvement in symptoms like swelling and pain.

In rare cases, the infection spreads to other parts of the eye and causes pain, redness, and swelling. This condition is called periorbital cellulitis. If this happens, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

How to Prevent a Stye

There are a few steps you can take to prevent eye styes, especially if you often get them. Six stye prevention tips include:

1. Always wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with mild soap and water before touching your eyes and face.
2. If you have oily eyelids, dip a Q-tip in a mild soap or baby shampoo and warm water. Then gently clean your upper and lower eyelids.
3. OTC eyelid cleansers (lid scrubs) are also available for oily eyelids and blepharitis maintenance, which can help prevent styes.
4. Before going to sleep, always remove makeup and wash your face to remove dirt, dead skin, oil, and bacteria.
5. Do not share makeup, bed linens, pillows, body towels, or face towels with others.
6. Children often get styes because they are more likely to touch their faces and neglect hand washing. Urge your children to wash their hands frequently, whenever possible.

Summary

• Styes are common, typically harmless swollen bumps that form on the eyelids.
• An eye stye is caused by a bacterial infection that clogs a gland or eyelash follicle
• Rubbing your eyes, wearing contacts that haven’t been disinfected, and sleeping in eye makeup can lead to styes.
• Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and rosacea, can increase your risk for eye styes.
• Most styes go away with home remedies like warm compresses.
• Stubborn or bothersome styes usually resolve with antibiotic treatment.
• A stye that doesn’t improve within a few days, causes vision impairment, or bleeds heavily should be examined by a healthcare provider.