Warm compresses are the single most effective treatment for a stye, and most styes heal on their own within one to two weeks. A stye is a small, painful bump on the eyelid caused by a blocked and infected oil gland or hair follicle. While it can look alarming, it’s rarely dangerous, and the best thing you can do is help it drain naturally.
Warm Compresses: The First-Line Treatment
A warm, moist compress is the go-to remedy because heat increases blood flow to the area and helps the blocked gland open and drain. Soak a clean washcloth in warm water, wring it out, and hold it gently against your closed eyelid for five minutes. Repeat this several times a day. The compress cools quickly, so you may need to re-soak it once or twice during each session to keep the warmth consistent.
You may have heard that tea bags work better than a plain washcloth. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says there is no evidence that a tea bag offers any advantage over a clean, warm washcloth. If you prefer tea bags for convenience, they won’t hurt, but they’re not doing anything special.
What Not to Do
Never squeeze or try to pop a stye. It’s tempting, especially when you can see a yellowish head forming, but popping it can release bacteria and spread the infection to other parts of the eye. Let the stye drain on its own. Avoid wearing eye makeup or contact lenses on the affected eye until it heals, since both can introduce more bacteria and slow recovery.
Managing Pain and Swelling
Styes can throb, especially in the first couple of days. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can take the edge off. Ibuprofen has the added benefit of reducing inflammation. Keeping your hands away from the area also helps, since rubbing or touching the bump increases irritation and raises the risk of spreading bacteria to your other eye.
Stye vs. Chalazion
Not every eyelid bump is a stye. A stye (technically called a hordeolum) is an active infection. It’s red, tender, and often develops a visible pus-filled head near the base of an eyelash within a day or two. A chalazion, by contrast, is a blocked oil gland deeper in the eyelid that isn’t infected. It starts with diffuse swelling but eventually becomes a small, firm, painless lump in the body of the eyelid rather than at the lash line.
The distinction matters because chalazia tend to be slower to resolve and sometimes need different treatment. Both respond to warm compresses initially, but a chalazion that persists for several weeks may require a minor in-office procedure to drain it. If your bump is painless and sitting away from the eyelash line, you’re likely dealing with a chalazion rather than a stye.
Internal vs. External Styes
Most styes are external, forming right at the edge of the eyelid where a lash follicle gets blocked and infected. These are the ones you can usually see as a small yellowish bump surrounded by redness. Internal styes develop on the inner surface of the eyelid, inside a deeper oil gland. They cause the same pain and swelling but aren’t visible from the outside. You might notice them more as a general soreness when you blink. Internal styes can sometimes develop into a chalazion if the gland stays blocked after the infection clears. Warm compresses help both types.
When a Stye Needs Medical Attention
Most styes resolve without any medical treatment. However, the Mayo Clinic notes two situations that warrant a call to your doctor: if the stye doesn’t start improving after 48 hours of home care, or if redness and swelling spread beyond the eyelid into your cheek or other parts of your face. Spreading redness can signal that the infection is moving into the surrounding tissue, which needs prompt treatment.
For styes that don’t drain on their own, a doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or an antibiotic-steroid ointment to fight the infection and calm swelling. Eye ointments are typically prescribed for overnight use since they temporarily blur your vision. In rare cases where a stye becomes large and firm, a doctor can lance and drain it in the office.
Preventing Styes From Coming Back
If you get styes repeatedly, your eyelid glands are prone to clogging. A simple daily hygiene routine can make a big difference. Each morning, use a clean washcloth with warm water to gently wipe along your lash line, loosening any dried oil or debris that could block a gland. Pre-moistened eyelid wipes sold at pharmacies work well too. If you wear eye makeup, remove it completely every night. Old mascara and eyeliner are common culprits for introducing bacteria near the lash follicles. Replace eye makeup every few months rather than using it until the tube runs dry.
Washing your hands before touching your eyes, cleaning contact lenses properly, and avoiding sharing towels or pillowcases with someone who has an active stye all reduce your risk. For people with chronic eyelid inflammation (blepharitis), regular warm compresses even when you don’t have a stye can keep the oil glands flowing freely and prevent blockages before they start.