The best thing to put on a stye is a warm, moist compress, applied for 5 to 10 minutes, 3 to 6 times a day. This is the first-line treatment recommended by ophthalmologists, and in most cases it’s the only treatment you’ll need. The warmth helps the blocked gland drain on its own, which resolves both the pain and the swelling.
How to Apply a Warm Compress
Soak a clean washcloth in warm water, wring it out so it’s damp but not dripping, and hold it gently against your closed eyelid. Keep it there for 5 to 10 minutes per session. You’ll want to do this 3 to 6 times throughout the day, rewarming the cloth as it cools. The heat loosens the oil trapped inside the blocked gland, encouraging it to open and drain naturally.
Avoid using hot water or microwaving a wet cloth. The compress can overheat unevenly and burn your eyelid, which is thin and sensitive skin. Comfortably warm is what you’re aiming for.
Do Tea Bags Work?
Warm tea bags are a popular home remedy, but the American Academy of Ophthalmology has noted there is no evidence that a tea bag works any better than a clean, warm washcloth. A tea bag can serve as a compress in a pinch, but it doesn’t offer any special anti-inflammatory or antibacterial benefit. A washcloth is easier to keep at a consistent temperature and stays warm longer.
OTC Stye Ointments
You’ll find stye ointments at most pharmacies, but it’s worth knowing what’s actually in them. The most common over-the-counter stye ointment contains mineral oil and white petrolatum. These are emollients, not antibiotics. They temporarily relieve burning and irritation and lubricate the eye to prevent further discomfort, but they don’t treat the underlying infection. Think of them as a comfort measure while you wait for warm compresses to do the real work.
If you use an OTC ointment, apply a thin layer to the affected area with clean hands. These products can blur your vision temporarily, so many people prefer to apply them at bedtime.
When Prescription Treatment Is Needed
Most styes resolve within a week or two with warm compresses alone. If yours doesn’t improve, or if the redness and swelling are getting worse, a doctor may prescribe topical antibiotic drops or ointment. For mild to moderate cases that need extra help, prescription ointments containing erythromycin or bacitracin are common choices. Oral antibiotics are rarely needed and are typically reserved for cases where the entire eyelid becomes swollen, red, and painful.
If a stye hardens into a painless lump (called a chalazion) and persists for more than one to two months, a doctor may recommend a minor in-office drainage procedure. This is uncommon, and most bumps resolve well before reaching that point.
Stye vs. Chalazion
Both look like bumps on the eyelid, but they feel quite different. A stye is a painful, red lump near the edge of the eyelid, usually at the base of an eyelash. It often looks like a pimple, may have a small pus spot at the center, and can make the entire eyelid swell. You might also notice light sensitivity, tearing, crustiness along the lash line, or a scratchy feeling like something is in your eye.
A chalazion forms farther back on the eyelid and is caused by a clogged oil gland rather than an infected lash follicle. It’s usually painless at first and grows slowly. You might not even notice it until it’s large enough to cause blurry vision by pressing on the eyeball. A chalazion can develop after a stye heals if the gland remains blocked. The warm compress approach works for both, but a chalazion that lingers for months is more likely to need professional treatment.
What Not to Put on a Stye
Never squeeze, pop, or try to lance a stye yourself. Forcing it open can spread the infection deeper into the eyelid or into surrounding tissue. Avoid wearing contact lenses while you have an active stye, as they can irritate the area and transfer bacteria. Skip eye makeup until the stye has fully healed, since mascara and liner can reintroduce bacteria to the gland.
Warning Signs of a Serious Infection
In rare cases, an eyelid infection can spread beyond the stye itself into the deeper tissue around the eye. Watch for swelling that extends beyond the eyelid to the skin around the eye, a bulging eye, pain or difficulty moving the eye, vision changes, or fever. These are signs of a more serious infection that needs prompt medical attention, especially in children. If your child develops a high fever along with significant swelling around the eye, go to the emergency room.
Preventing Styes From Coming Back
Styes tend to recur in some people, particularly those prone to oily or inflamed eyelids. A daily eyelid hygiene routine can make a significant difference. Gentle lid wipes, hypochlorous acid sprays, or oil-cleaning foams designed for the eyelids help keep the glands clear and bacteria levels low. Tea tree oil cleansers are sometimes recommended for people who have recurring issues related to tiny mites (Demodex) that live on eyelash follicles.
Eye makeup is a common culprit in recurrent styes. Replace mascara every 3 months, gel or liquid eyeliner every 3 to 4 months, and eye shadow palettes every 12 months. Old cosmetics harbor bacteria that transfer directly to the eyelid margin each time you apply them. Washing your hands before touching your eyes, removing makeup fully before bed, and never sharing eye cosmetics are simple habits that go a long way.