Knowing how to treat a stye at home can help you find relief quickly from this common and painful eyelid condition. Understanding how to treat a stye properly also means knowing what not to do, since improper treatment can worsen the infection or lead to complications.
A stye, medically known as a hordeolum, is a red, painful bump that forms on or inside the eyelid. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection of the oil glands or hair follicles at the base of the eyelashes. According to the Cleveland Clinic, styes are one of the most common eyelid conditions. While they are usually harmless and resolve on their own, proper care speeds healing and reduces discomfort.
This article covers effective home remedies, what to avoid, when medical treatment is necessary, and how to prevent recurrence. For more health information, visit our medical conditions guide.
Understanding Styes: External Versus Internal
Before diving into treatment, it helps to understand the two types of styes, as treatment approaches may differ slightly.
An external stye (external hordeolum) develops at the base of an eyelash. It appears as a visible red bump on the outer edge of the eyelid and is usually caused by an infection of the eyelash follicle or one of the small oil glands (glands of Zeis or Moll). External styes are the most common type and are typically easier to treat.
An internal stye (internal hordeolum) develops inside the eyelid when a meibomian gland, one of the larger oil-producing glands within the eyelid, becomes infected. Internal styes may be less visible from the outside but can cause more discomfort because they press against the eyeball. They may take longer to resolve and are somewhat more likely to require medical attention.
A chalazion is sometimes confused with a stye but is a different condition. A chalazion is a usually painless, slow-growing lump caused by a blocked meibomian gland without active infection. Chalazia are often not red or tender. A stye can develop into a chalazion if the infection settles but the gland remains blocked. Distinguishing between these conditions helps determine the most appropriate treatment approach, and a persistent painless lump is one reason to have an eye professional take a look.
Home Remedies That Work
The good news is that most styes respond well to home treatment. Here are the most effective approaches, consistent with guidance from major medical centers.
Warm Compresses
Warm compresses are the cornerstone of stye treatment. The warmth increases blood flow to the area, helps soften any hardened material blocking the gland, and encourages the stye to drain naturally. To apply a warm compress, soak a clean washcloth in warm (not hot) water, wring out the excess, and place it over the closed eyelid. Hold it in place for about 10 to 15 minutes, and repeat several times a day (roughly three to four times). Use a fresh, clean washcloth each time to avoid reintroducing bacteria. Mayo Clinic recommends continuing warm compresses until the stye resolves, even after symptoms begin to improve. Consistency matters more than any single session.
Eyelid Hygiene
Keeping the eyelid clean supports healing and helps prevent the infection from spreading. Gently wash the affected eyelid with diluted baby shampoo or a commercially available eyelid cleanser. Use a clean cotton swab or pad to apply the cleanser, wiping along the lash line with the eye closed, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Doing this once or twice daily, and after each warm compress, keeps the area clear of crusting and debris.
Gentle Care Around the Area
After a warm compress, some people find that very light, gentle pressure around (not on) the stye is comfortable. Do not press directly on the stye or try to force it to drain. The goal of a compress is to let the stye open and drain on its own timeline. If touching the area is painful, leave it alone and let the warmth do the work.
What Not to Do
Certain common instincts can make a stye worse. Avoid these mistakes.
Never squeeze or pop a stye. Squeezing can push the infection deeper into the eyelid or into surrounding tissue, potentially causing a more serious spreading infection such as periorbital (preseptal) or orbital cellulitis. Let the stye drain naturally.
Do not wear contact lenses until the stye has fully resolved. Contact lenses can irritate the eyelid, trap bacteria, and become contaminated. Switch to glasses during treatment. Do not apply eye makeup on or around the affected eye, and consider discarding any eye makeup that may have been contaminated (especially mascara and eyeliner).
Avoid touching the stye with unwashed hands. Each time you touch it, you risk introducing more bacteria or spreading the infection to the other eye. If you must touch the area, wash your hands thoroughly before and after. Hand hygiene is one of the most important parts of stye management and prevention. And never use another person’s eye drops, ointments, or makeup.
Over-the-Counter Options
Several over-the-counter products may help manage stye symptoms alongside home care. Artificial tears can soothe irritation and keep the eye lubricated, especially if the stye causes a gritty or foreign-body sensation. Pre-made eyelid wipes or cleansing pads designed for lid hygiene are convenient alternatives to the baby-shampoo method.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain and discomfort; follow the label and check with a pharmacist if you have other health conditions or take other medications. Some pharmacies carry over-the-counter products marketed for styes, but these are generally not necessary for a simple stye and should not replace a doctor’s evaluation if the stye is severe, spreading, or persistent.
Avoid using any eye drops or ointments not specifically designed for use in the eye. Products meant for the skin or other purposes can irritate the eye and worsen the condition.
When to See a Doctor
Most styes resolve with home treatment within about one to two weeks. However, certain situations call for professional medical care. Contact a doctor or eye specialist if:
- The stye has not improved after a week or two of consistent home treatment, or it is rapidly getting larger, more painful, or more swollen.
- Redness and swelling spread beyond the bump to the rest of the eyelid, the cheek, or other parts of the face.
- You develop a fever, or you feel generally unwell along with the eye symptoms.
- Your vision changes in any way, or the eye becomes hard to move or bulges.
- You get styes repeatedly (for example, three or more in a year).
- A painless lump persists for weeks, which may be a chalazion rather than a stye.
- You have a weakened immune system or diabetes, which can make infections more serious.
If you need to find an eye specialist, our guide on how to find an eye doctor can help you locate a qualified ophthalmologist or optometrist in your area.
A doctor may treat a persistent stye with a prescription antibiotic ointment or drops, oral antibiotics for a severe or spreading infection, or a minor in-office incision and drainage for a stye that will not drain on its own. A stubborn chalazion that does not clear may also be treated in the office. These procedures are quick and can provide rapid relief, but they should be done by a professional, not attempted at home.
Seek urgent care right away if redness and swelling spread across the eyelid or face, the eye becomes very swollen or bulges, moving the eye hurts, you have a fever, or your vision changes. These can be signs of periorbital or orbital cellulitis, a spreading infection that needs prompt medical treatment. When in doubt, call your doctor, go to urgent care, or dial 911 for severe symptoms.
How to Prevent Styes
If you are prone to styes, a few habits can reduce how often they happen.
Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently, especially before touching your face or eyes. Remove all eye makeup before bed using a gentle remover. Replace eye makeup periodically, since bacteria can build up in cosmetic containers over time, and never share eye makeup. Clean contact lenses properly according to your eye doctor’s instructions, and don’t sleep in contacts unless they are specifically designed for extended wear.
Maintain regular eyelid hygiene by washing your eyelids, especially if you have a history of blepharitis (chronic eyelid inflammation). Daily lid cleaning helps people who get recurrent styes. Managing underlying conditions such as blepharitis, rosacea, or seborrheic dermatitis can also lower your risk.
Avoid sharing towels, washcloths, pillowcases, or eye makeup with others, since the bacteria that cause styes can transfer through these items.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a stye last?
Most styes resolve within about one to two weeks with proper home treatment, and external styes tend to clear faster than internal ones. Some clear in just a few days with diligent warm compresses. If a stye has not shown meaningful improvement within a week or two, or if it worsens at any point, see your doctor.
Are styes contagious?
Styes themselves are not considered highly contagious, but the bacteria that commonly cause them (often Staphylococcus species) can spread through direct contact. You can transfer the bacteria to your other eye or to another person through shared towels, pillowcases, or eye makeup. Practice good hygiene and avoid sharing personal items while you have a stye.
Can a stye cause permanent damage to my eye?
In the large majority of cases, styes heal without any lasting effects. Rare complications can occur if a stye is left untreated or handled improperly, including a spreading eyelid infection (periorbital or orbital cellulitis) that requires antibiotics, and occasionally a large chalazion that presses on the eye. Prompt treatment and knowing the red-flag signs make serious problems uncommon.
Can stress cause styes?
Stress does not directly cause styes, but it can contribute to conditions that make them more likely. Being run-down may make you more prone to infections, and stress can lead to habits like rubbing your eyes, which introduces bacteria. Adequate sleep, stress management, and good hygiene all support healthier eyes.
Is it safe to use tea bags on a stye?
Some people use warm tea bags as compresses. The warmth from a tea bag provides similar benefit to a warm washcloth, but there is no strong evidence that tea itself has special healing properties for styes. If you use a tea bag, make sure it is warm (not hot), clean, and used only once. A warm washcloth is generally more practical because it holds heat longer and is easier to position over the eyelid.
Should I keep wearing contacts or makeup with a stye?
No. Switch to glasses and skip eye makeup until the stye has fully healed. Contacts and makeup can trap bacteria against the eyelid, prolong healing, and become contaminated. Replace any eye makeup that touched the area while the stye was active.
Quick Action Leads to Quick Relief
Knowing how to treat a stye empowers you to manage this common condition effectively and comfortably at home. Start warm compresses as soon as you notice the first signs, maintain diligent eyelid hygiene, resist the urge to squeeze or pop it, and see a doctor if it doesn’t improve within a week or two or shows signs of worsening. With consistent care, most styes resolve quickly and without complications.
The Bottom Line
- Warm compresses (about 10 to 15 minutes, several times a day) are the main treatment; most styes clear in roughly one to two weeks.
- Do not squeeze or pop a stye, and skip contacts and eye makeup until it fully heals.
- Get medical care for a stye that isn’t improving after a week or two, is very painful or large, keeps recurring, or leaves a persistent painless lump.
- Spreading redness or swelling onto the eyelid or face, fever, eye pain with movement, or vision changes need prompt evaluation for possible cellulitis.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your eyes or your symptoms are worsening, contact a qualified healthcare provider.