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How to Get Rid of a Stye on Your Eyelid

A stye (hordeolum) is a painful red lump at the eyelid edge caused by a blocked, infected oil gland, usually from Staphylococcus aureus. Hold a warm compress against the closed eye for 10–15 minutes, four times daily — warmth softens the blocked oil and promotes drainage. Most styes resolve in one to two weeks without medical treatment. Never squeeze or pop a stye.

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What is a stye and what causes it?

A stye (medically called a hordeolum) is an acute infection, usually bacterial, of one of the small oil-producing glands in or around the eyelid. The glands most commonly involved are the meibomian glands (which run along the inner eyelid edge) and the glands of Zeis or Moll (near the eyelash follicles). The causative organism is *Staphylococcus aureus* in the great majority of cases 1.

When a gland becomes blocked — by dead skin cells, thickened oil, or debris — bacteria can multiply inside it and cause swelling, tenderness, and sometimes pus.

Common contributing factors include: - Touching or rubbing the eyes with unwashed hands - Wearing eye makeup that is old or applied to the waterline - Not fully removing eye makeup before sleep - Blepharitis (chronic inflammation of the eyelid margins), which creates conditions that favor meibomian gland blockage 2 - Contact lens wear, particularly if hygiene is imperfect

What is the difference between a stye and a chalazion?

The two are related but distinct:

| Feature | Stye (hordeolum) | Chalazion | |---|---|---| | Cause | Active bacterial infection of a gland | Chronic blockage (non-infectious) of a meibomian gland | | Location | Usually at the eyelid margin, near lashes | Usually deeper in the eyelid, further from the margin | | Pain | Tender and painful | Usually painless or only mildly sore | | Onset | Days | Weeks | | Appearance | Red, may have a visible pus point | Firm, rounded, flesh-colored lump | | Resolution | Usually resolves in 1–2 weeks | May persist weeks to months; sometimes needs in-office drainage |

A stye that does not fully clear may evolve into a chalazion as the acute infection resolves but the blocked gland remains 2. If you have a painless firm lump that has been present for several weeks, an ophthalmologist or optometrist can confirm whether it is a chalazion and discuss treatment options.

How do warm compresses help, and how should I do them?

Warmth serves two purposes: it softens the thickened oils blocking the gland, and it increases local blood flow, which helps the body's immune response reach the infected tissue. Warm compresses applied for 5–10 minutes, three to four times daily, are the primary first-line recommendation from both the American Optometric Association and clinical practice guidelines 12.

How to do it correctly: 1. Wash your hands thoroughly 2. Soak a clean washcloth in water that is warm but comfortable to hold — not scalding 3. Wring out excess water 4. Close your eye and rest the cloth over your eyelid 5. Re-warm the cloth every 2–3 minutes so it stays warm throughout 6. Continue for 10–15 minutes 7. Repeat three to four times a day

Specialty reusable eye masks (microwaveable gel masks) are a practical alternative to a washcloth and maintain temperature well. Avoid placing ice or cold compresses on a stye — cold constricts blood vessels and is not helpful for this condition.

What else can I do at home?

  • Keep the area clean — gently clean the eyelid margin with diluted baby shampoo or commercially available lid-scrub pads. This also helps with any underlying blepharitis 2.
  • Remove eye makeup — stop wearing eye makeup on the affected eye until the stye resolves. Old mascara is a common reservoir for bacteria.
  • Avoid contact lenses — switch to glasses while the stye is active and until it has fully resolved 1.
  • Do not pop or squeeze the stye — this risks spreading the infection deeper into eyelid tissue or to adjacent structures.
  • Avoid sharing towels or pillowcases — stye bacteria can spread to others or reinfect yourself.

Over-the-counter stye ointments and drops (usually containing a mild antiseptic) are available, but evidence that they accelerate resolution beyond warm compresses alone is limited. Note that a Cochrane systematic review found no high-quality randomized controlled trials for non-surgical interventions for acute internal hordeolum; current recommendations are based on expert consensus and observational data 3.

When does a stye need medical treatment?

Most styes resolve with consistent home care within one to two weeks. See an ophthalmologist or optometrist if:

  • The stye is not improving or is worsening after a week of warm compresses
  • The redness or swelling is spreading beyond the eyelid
  • Your vision is affected or blurry
  • There is significant pain inside the eye (not just on the eyelid surface)
  • You have a fever
  • You have recurrent styes — this may indicate meibomian gland dysfunction or blepharitis that benefits from targeted treatment 2

In-office treatments include topical or oral antibiotics, and for persistent chalazion, incision and drainage (a minor procedure under local anesthesia).

Can I prevent styes from coming back?

People who get styes repeatedly often have an underlying tendency toward meibomian gland blockage or blepharitis. The following hygiene practices reduce recurrence 1:

  • Wash hands before touching the face or eyes
  • Remove all eye makeup before sleep
  • Replace mascara and eyeliner every three months, or immediately after any eye infection
  • Clean the eyelid margins regularly (lid scrubs) if you have a history of blepharitis
  • Apply warm compresses for a few minutes daily as a maintenance practice if you are prone to blockages

An eye doctor can also assess whether meibomian gland expression or other in-office eyelid hygiene treatments are appropriate for chronic cases.

Common questions

How long does a stye last?

Most styes resolve within one to two weeks with consistent warm compress treatment. Some may resolve faster, particularly if a small pus point drains spontaneously. A stye that persists beyond two weeks or hardens into a painless lump may have become a chalazion, which can take months to resolve on its own.

Can I wear contacts or makeup while I have a stye?

It is best to avoid both until the stye has fully resolved. Contact lenses can harbor bacteria and irritate the already-inflamed eyelid. Eye makeup — especially mascara and eyeliner — can reintroduce bacteria to the area and delay healing.

Should I use antibiotic eye drops for a stye?

Topical antibiotic eye drops are sometimes prescribed by an eye doctor for styes, particularly if the infection is spreading or not responding to warm compresses. Over-the-counter antibiotic drops are not approved for stye treatment in the US. See an eye doctor if you think you need antibiotics — they can assess whether this is appropriate.

Is a stye contagious?

The bacteria that cause styes (usually Staphylococcus) can be transferred through direct contact, shared towels, or pillowcases. The stye itself is not contagious in the way a viral infection is, but practicing good hygiene and not sharing linens is reasonable while the stye is active.

What is the warm compress doing, and how warm should it be?

Warmth softens the blocked oil inside the gland, making it more likely to drain naturally, and increases blood flow to the area to help clear the infection. The compress should be comfortably warm — similar to a warm bath — not hot enough to risk burning the delicate eyelid skin.

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When to seek care promptly

  • —Redness or swelling spreading beyond the eyelid to the cheek or surrounding skin
  • —Vision changes or blurry vision
  • —Significant pain inside the eye (not just on the eyelid)
  • —Fever alongside a stye
  • —Stye not improving after 7–10 days of warm compresses

This article is general health information and does not replace a professional evaluation. Gale can help you find and prepare for an appointment with an ophthalmologist or optometrist for persistent or recurrent styes.

References

  1. 1.American Optometric Association (2024). Hordeolum (stye). AOA Healthy Eyes, American Optometric Association. link ✓Warm compresses 5–10 minutes several times daily as first-line treatment; advising against contact lens wear while stye is active; when to contact an eye doctor immediately if swelling extends beyond eyelid
  2. 2.Wallace DK, Flaxel CJ, Gedde SJ, Jacobs DS, Kopplin LJ, Lee BS, Mah FS, Oetting TA, Varu DM, Musch DC (2026). Comprehensive Adult Medical Eye Evaluation Preferred Practice Pattern® 2025. Ophthalmology (American Academy of Ophthalmology). link ✓Professional evaluation framework for eyelid conditions, chalazion vs hordeolum differentiation, and chronic or recurrent styes including assessment of meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis
  3. 3.Evidence-Based Practice (LWW) (2020). What is the best treatment for a hordeolum (stye)?. Evidence-Based Practice. doi:10.1097/EBP.0000000000000480 ✓No high-quality randomized controlled trials exist for non-surgical interventions for acute internal hordeolum; current warm compress recommendations are based on expert consensus

3 sources, numbered by first appearance. General health information, not medical advice — synthetic demonstration content.