A stye, medically known as a hordeolum, is a common affliction resulting from an acute infection or blockage of a sebaceous gland near the margin of the eyelid, often appearing like a small, painful pimple. This inflammation is typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which reside naturally on the skin. Although usually harmless and self-limiting, the condition requires careful management to prevent complications. Because the eye’s natural defenses are already compromised, submerging the head in water or swimming is generally advised against until the inflammation fully resolves.
Why Swimming Is Not Recommended
The primary concern with swimming while experiencing a stye is the significant risk of introducing new pathogens directly into the already compromised tissue. A stye is a localized bacterial infection within an oil gland or hair follicle, making the surrounding area tender and highly susceptible to further microbial invasion. Water, regardless of its source, can carry various environmental microbes that might overwhelm the local immune response and cause a secondary, potentially more severe, infection.
This introduction of foreign substances can significantly prolong the healing process, which typically lasts about seven to ten days without complications. The water also mechanically washes away the natural tear film, an important protective layer that continually bathes the eye surface and contains antimicrobial proteins and immunoglobulins. Disturbing this crucial barrier leaves the inflamed eyelid tissue exposed and vulnerable to external irritants and bacteria.
Furthermore, the movement of water across the eye during swimming creates mechanical irritation on the tender, swollen eyelid. This constant friction can increase pain and inflammation, potentially exacerbating the stye’s size and discomfort. Submerging the head also increases the risk that infectious material from the stye could be dispersed into the water and potentially spread to the healthy eye. Maintaining a clean and dry environment is the most effective approach to managing a stye and ensuring a quick resolution.
Varying Risks Based on Water Source
The risk profile changes depending on whether the water environment is treated or untreated, though neither setting is safe for an active stye. Swimming pools, while chemically treated, present a different kind of challenge due to the presence of chlorine and other disinfectants. These chemicals are harsh on the delicate, inflamed skin of the eyelid and can cause significant chemical irritation.
Chlorine strips away natural oils and moisture, leading to dryness and increased inflammation around the stye, which actively slows the healing process. Although chlorine kills many bacteria, its primary effect on the stye is irritation and inflammation, rather than sterilization of the compromised gland.
Natural water sources, such as lakes, rivers, and oceans, pose a higher risk of introducing entirely new and potentially more harmful pathogens. Freshwater environments, for example, can harbor bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is capable of causing severe and antibiotic-resistant eye infections.
Even saltwater from the ocean, which is sometimes mistakenly believed to be cleansing, is highly irritating to an open or inflamed lesion. The salt concentration is abrasive to the tender skin, increasing discomfort and the likelihood of secondary infection from microorganisms unique to marine environments.
Stye Management and When to Return to the Water
Effective stye management focuses on promoting drainage of the blocked gland and reducing inflammation without introducing further contamination. The primary home treatment involves applying a clean, warm compress to the affected eyelid for ten to fifteen minutes, three to four times daily. The gentle heat softens secretions and encourages the blocked oil gland to drain the accumulated material, resolving the infection.
It is crucial during the healing period to avoid wearing eye makeup or contact lenses, as both can transfer existing bacteria and further irritate the inflamed eyelid margin. Under no circumstances should an individual attempt to squeeze or pop a stye, as this action can force the infection deeper into the tissue, potentially leading to orbital cellulitis, a more severe infection of the soft tissues around the eye.
A return to swimming is safe only when the stye has fully resolved, with no residual symptoms. This means the swelling must be entirely gone, the redness subsided, and all tenderness and discomfort must have disappeared for several days. If any residual lump or inflammation remains, the eye is still vulnerable to contamination and irritation from the water.
If the stye does not show signs of improvement within 48 to 72 hours of warm compress application, or if symptoms worsen—such as spreading redness, noticeable swelling that affects vision, or the development of a fever—medical attention is necessary. A healthcare provider can determine if oral antibiotics or a minor in-office drainage procedure is required to resolve a persistent infection.