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Posted on June 25, 2025 By Admin No Comments on

What is a stye?

A stye (or sty) is a painful red bump on the edge of your eyelid. It can look similar to an acne pimple and may be tender to the touch. A stye forms when a tiny oil-producing gland in your eyelash follicle or eyelid skin becomes blocked and a bacterial infection develops. The medical term for a stye is “hordeolum.”

It’s common to have a stye on only one eyelid, but it’s also possible to get styes on both lids. A stye usually lasts one to two weeks and will typically go away on its own. But in cases where it doesn’t, you may need to rely on an eye care providerto drain it. They may also prescribe antibiotics to reduce the infection.

A stye is similar to another eyelid bumpcalled a chalazion. A chalazion is a bump that usually occurs farther back on your eyelid. Unlike a stye, a chalazion usually isn’t painful and isn’t caused by a bacterial infection. But treatment for both conditions is similar.

Types of styes

There are two types of styes:

  • External styes: External styes form on the outer part of either your upper or lower eyelid. They’re the more common type. An infection in your eyelash follicle usually causes them.
  • Internal styes: Internal styes form on either of your inner eyelids (facing your eyeball). An infection in the inner eyelid gland that produces oils that help keep your eyelid moist causes this type.

How common are styes?

Styes are very common. They’re more common in adults than children because the oil in an adult’s oil glands is thicker than a child’s. That means it’s more prone to blockage.

What are the symptoms of a stye?

The main symptom of a stye is a painful red bump along your eyelid edge near your eyelashes. Other stye symptoms may include:

  • Swelling of your eyelid (sometimes your entire eyelid).
  • Discharge from your eye.
  • Crusting along your eyelid.
  • Light sensitivity.
  • Soreness and itching.
  • Eye tearing.
  • A scratchy feeling or a feeling that there’s something in your eye.

What causes a stye?

A bacterial infection in your eyelid’s oil-producing glands causes most styes. The oil-producing glands line the eyelids and help lubricate the surface of your eye.

Are styes contagious?

Styes generally aren’t contagious. But small amounts of bacteria can be spread from them. This is why it’s important to always wash your hands before and after touching a stye and wash pillowcases often to help prevent the bacteria from spreading. Unless you’re cleaning or applying warm compresses to the stye, avoid touching it to reduce bacteria spread and irritation.

What are the risk factors for developing a stye?

Styes are very common, and anyone can get them. But you may be more likely to get a stye if you:

  • Have had a stye before.
  • Have blepharitis (an inflammation of your eyelids).
  • Have certain skin conditions, like acne, rosacea or dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis).
  • Have diabetes.
  • Have dry skin.
  • Are experiencing hormonal changes.
  • Have high lipid levels (“bad” cholesterol).

Diagnosis and Tests

How is a stye diagnosed?

Some styes are more stubborn and require a visit to a healthcare provider. If your vision seems to be affected or if your stye seems to be getting worse instead of better, contact a provider.

During your appointment, your provider will examine your eyelid and ask about any additional symptoms you’re having. They’ll be able to diagnose a stye based on this eye exam.

Management and Treatment

How do you get rid of a stye?

A stye will usually go away by itself in one to two weeks. To feel better faster and reduce pain and swelling, you can use a self-care plan to treat your stye at home. Here are some dos and don’ts to manage your stye at home.

Do

  • Use warm compresses. Apply a warm washcloth to your eyelid for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, three to five times a day. Rewarm the washcloth by soaking it in warm water, wring and repeat. Many people believe that using green tea bags moistened in warm water as eye compresses will help the stye not only feel better, but also speed healing, due in part to the antibacterial properties of green tea. Some scientists have shown that a natural antioxidant in green tea breaks down the cell wall of the bacteria, killing it. While there’s debate about this among eye experts, it won’t hurt you and should be at least as effective as using a warm washcloth as a compress.
  • Clean eyelids. Gently wipe away eye discharge with a mild soapy solution made from half baby shampoo and half water. You can also use eyelid wipes available in most drug stores.

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