Sty

A sty is a painful red bump along the eyelash line that can often be treated with home remedies. Find out more about this irritating eyelid infection.

A sty is a red, painful lump near the edge of your eyelid that may look like a boil or a pimple. Sties are often filled with pus. A sty usually forms on the outside of your eyelid, but sometimes it can form on the inner part of your eyelid.

In most cases, a sty will begin to disappear on its own in a couple days. In the meantime, you may be able to relieve the pain or discomfort of a sty by applying a warm washcloth to your eyelid.

Signs and symptoms of a sty include:

• A red lump on your eyelid that is similar to a boil or a pimple
• Eyelid pain
• Eyelid swelling
• Tearing

Another condition that causes inflammation of the eyelid is a chalazion. A chalazion occurs when there's a blockage in one of the small oil glands near the eyelashes. Unlike a sty, a chalazion usually isn't painful and tends to be most prominent on the inner side of the eyelid. Treatment for both conditions is similar.

When to see a doctor

Most sties are harmless to your eye and won't affect your ability to see clearly. Try self-care measures first, such as applying a warm washcloth to your closed eyelid for five to 10 minutes several times a day and gently massaging the eyelid. Contact your doctor if:

• The sty doesn't start to improve after 48 hours
• Redness and swelling involves the entire eyelid or extends into your cheek or other parts of your face

A sty is caused by an infection of oil glands in the eyelid. The bacterium staphylococcus is commonly responsible for most of these infections.

You are at increased risk of a sty if you:

• Touch your eyes with unwashed hands
• Insert your contact lenses without thoroughly disinfecting them or washing your hands first
• Leave on eye makeup overnight
• Use old or expired cosmetics
• Have blepharitis, a chronic inflammation along the edge of the eyelid
• Have rosacea, a skin condition characterized by facial redness

To prevent eye infections:

• Wash your hands. Wash your hands with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer several times each day. Keep your hands away from your eyes.
• Take care with cosmetics. Reduce your risk of recurrent eye infections by throwing away old cosmetics. Don't share your cosmetics with others. Don't wear eye makeup overnight.
• Make sure your contact lenses are clean. If you wear contact lenses, wash your hands thoroughly before handling your contacts and follow your doctor's advice on disinfecting them.
• Apply warm compresses. If you've had a sty before, using a warm compress regularly may help prevent it from coming back.
• Manage blepharitis. If you have blepharitis, follow your doctor's instructions for caring for your eyes.

Your doctor will usually diagnose a sty just by looking at your eyelid. Your doctor may use a light and a magnifying device to examine your eyelid.

In most cases, a sty doesn't require specific treatment, but using warm compresses can hasten the healing. A sty typically goes away on its own. Recurrences are common.

For a sty that persists, your doctor may recommend treatments, such as:

• Antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eyedrops or a topical antibiotic cream to apply to your eyelid. If your eyelid infection persists or spreads beyond your eyelid, your doctor may recommend antibiotics in tablet or pill form.
• Surgery to relieve pressure. If your sty doesn't clear up, your doctor may make a small cut in it to drain the pus.

Until your sty goes away on its own, try to:

• Leave the sty alone. Don't try to pop the sty or squeeze the pus from a sty. Doing so can cause the infection to spread.
• Clean your eyelid. Gently wash the affected eyelid with mild soap and water.
• Place a warm washcloth over your closed eye. To relieve pain, run warm water over a clean washcloth. Wring out the washcloth and place it over your closed eye. Re-wet the washcloth when it loses heat. Continue this for 5 to 10 minutes. Then gently massage the eyelid. Repeating this two to three times a day may encourage the sty to drain on its own.
• Keep your eye clean. Don't wear eye makeup until the sty has healed.
• Go without contacts lenses. Contact lenses can be contaminated with bacteria associated with a sty. If you wear contacts, try to go without them until your sty goes away.

Start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner if your sty is painful or doesn't start to get better in two days. In some cases, your doctor may refer you to a specialist who treats eye diseases and conditions (ophthalmologist).

Because appointments can be brief, it's a good idea to be prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready.

What you can do

• List any symptoms you're experiencing, including those that seem unrelated to the sty.
• List key personal information you feel may be important for your doctor to know.
• Make a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements that you're taking.
• List questions to ask your doctor.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. For a sty, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What is the likely cause of my sty?
• When can I expect my sty to go away?
• Is this contagious?
• What kinds of tests do I need?
• Are there any treatments for my sty?
• What are the benefits and risks of these treatments?
• What can I do to prevent future sties?
• Can I continue wearing contact lenses?
• Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
• Do you have any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me?
• What websites do you recommend?
• Do I need a follow-up visit?

Last Updated:

December 22nd, 2020