Eye Styes: Causes and Home Remedies You Should Know

A stye, clinically referred to as a hordeolum, appears as a small, painful bump located on either the outer or inner eyelid. As noted by healthdirect, a health information service backed by the Australian government, a stye develops when a bacterial infection targets an eyelash follicle. If you observe a white spot at the centre of the bump, it may indicate the presence of pus.

The good news is that most styes tend to heal naturally with straightforward home care techniques.

What Causes an Eye Stye to Develop?

An eye stye forms when bacteria infect the follicle at the base of an eyelash. Healthdirect explains that the glands in the eyelid can become blocked and subsequently become infected.

Blepharitis, which is the inflammation of the eyelids, significantly increases the likelihood of developing styes, according to healthdirect. If you often experience styes, it is advisable to consult your optometrist or doctor to examine your eyelids for blepharitis or other underlying conditions.

A common query pertains to whether stress contributes to the onset of styes. Healthdirect clarifies that the primary cause is a bacterial infection of the eyelash follicle, and does not link stress to the formation of styes.

How to Recognise the Symptoms of a Stye

The most noticeable sign of a stye is a small, tender lump on the eyelid, which often shows discolouration due to swelling. According to healthdirect, a stye can cause irritation, excessive tearing, or a sensation similar to having something stuck in the eye, akin to an eyelash caught on the surface.

Certain symptoms warrant medical attention. Healthdirect highlights the following signs that necessitate a consultation with your doctor:

• The stye obstructs your vision.
• The lump worsens or does not improve within one to two weeks, despite home care.
• The lump, or multiple lumps, significantly increase in size or pain.
• A blister develops on the eyelid.
• The entire eyelid appears red or the eye shows signs of inflammation.
• Your eye becomes sensitive to light or excessively watery.
• You experience recurrent styes soon after the previous one has resolved.

What is the Typical Duration of a Stye?

In most cases, a stye will resolve on its own. Healthdirect indicates that it may take up to six months for the lump to disappear completely. If you do not notice any improvement within one to two weeks of home care, it is wise to seek medical advice.

Effective Home Remedies for Stye Relief

Healthdirect recommends applying warm compresses to the eyelid, as this can significantly aid the healing process.

How to Apply a Warm Compress to a Stye

Healthdirect advises using a clean, warm washcloth on your closed eyelid for two to five minutes at a time, up to 20 times daily. Ensure the water is warm enough to be comfortable, but not so hot that it burns your skin. You may gently massage the eyelid while the compress is in place.

Cleansing the Eyelid After Using the Compress

After applying a warm compress, you may notice some discharge. Healthdirect suggests gently wiping it away with a clean, warm washcloth, followed by washing or discarding the washcloth or compress to prevent the spread of infection.

Why You Should Avoid Popping or Squeezing a Stye

While it might be tempting to press on a stye, healthdirect strongly advises against touching, rubbing, or squeezing it. Attempting to squeeze can push pus into surrounding tissue, leading to further infection.

When is it Essential to Seek Medical Attention for a Stye?

In some cases, a stye may require more than basic home care. Healthdirect explains that antibiotic ointments or oral antibiotics may be necessary if the skin surrounding the stye becomes red, warm, and swollen. A doctor may also need to drain the stye with a needle if it does not resolve on its own.

One potential complication to be aware of is cellulitis, where the infection spreads to the skin surrounding the eye. Healthdirect describes cellulitis as rare but serious, constituting a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. If the skin on your eyelid or around your eye appears red, swollen, or painful, or if you develop a fever or feel unwell, seek medical help without delay.

Proven Strategies to Prevent Styes

Healthdirect recommends the following practices to help prevent styes and reduce the risk of infection:

• Wash your hands regularly.
• Avoid touching, rubbing, or squeezing your eyes.
• Dispose of or clean your washcloth or warm compress after each use.

If you have blepharitis, managing that condition can also help lower the likelihood of styes. Healthdirect identifies blepharitis as one of the conditions that increase the risk of developing styes. The dry eye management page offers details on eyelid cleaning and warm compress routines, which are essential for effective dry eye management at Eyes by Design.

Recommended Eyelid Care Products for Styes and Blepharitis

Eyes by Design offers a variety of eyelid care products available in its online store. The descriptions provided below are sourced from each product page, so ensure you read the complete product details and manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you have an existing eye condition or have undergone recent eye surgery, consult a health professional beforehand.

The Eye Doctor Antibacterial Stye Relief Compress: This microwavable eye patch is specifically designed to treat styes, chalazions, and cysts. The manufacturer recommends heating it in the microwave for 15 to 30 seconds and applying it to the affected eye for 10 minutes. The compress is reusable for over 200 applications.

The Eye Doctor Lid Cleanser: This cleanser effectively removes dirt, debris, and makeup from the eyelids and the base of the lashes. It is applied using a cleansing pad along the eyelid margins, both morning and night.

Optimel Manuka Forte Gel: This Manuka honey gel alleviates severe dry eye symptoms, blepharitis, and eyelid inflammation. It is applied along the inside of the lower eyelid. The product page notes that mild stinging and redness upon application are normal. Avoid using it if you have a history of sensitivity to honey or benzoate compounds.

Two additional lid care options available in the store are OCuSOFT HypoChlor Spray, a hypochlorous acid spray applied to the eyelids and lashes with a cotton pad, and OCuSoft Lid Scrub Plus, a foaming eyelid cleanser designed for individuals with blepharitis and dry eye. Both product pages recommend using them alongside a warm compress and a lid cleanser.

Eye Makeup Solutions for Sensitive Eyes

If you wish to continue wearing makeup once your eyelid has healed, the Eyes Are The Story range features a facial cleanser, a facial serum, a liquid liner, and a mascara trio. The product pages indicate that this range is free from synthetic dyes, fragrances, and parabens. The mascara comes in three mini tubes designed to minimise contamination and bacterial growth on the wand.

When is it Important to Consult an Optometrist About a Stye?

If a stye is responding well to warm compresses, further treatment is usually unnecessary. If you are uncertain whether the lump on your eyelid is a stye, if styes recur frequently, or if your eye appears red, watery, or sensitive to light, schedule an appointment with an optometrist for a comprehensive evaluation of your eye and eyelid.

At Eyes by Design in Kincumber, our optometrists can assess your eyelid and its glands, evaluate for dry eye or other eye conditions that may contribute to the problem, and refer you to your GP or another healthcare professional if the stye requires antibiotics or drainage. An adult eye examination will also investigate other potential causes of eye irritation. You can contact the practice at (02) 4369 8169 on weekdays from 9am to 5pm.

If the skin around your eye becomes red, swollen, or painful, or if you develop a fever, seek immediate medical attention, as healthdirect categorises this type of spreading infection as a medical emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions About Eye Styes

What is the Typical Recovery Time for a Stye?

Most styes resolve without the need for intervention. Healthdirect states that the lump may take up to six months to disappear entirely. If you do not see any improvement within one to two weeks of applying warm compresses and gentle cleansing, it is crucial to consult a doctor.

Is It Safe to Pop a Stye?

No. Healthdirect strongly advises against squeezing, rubbing, or touching a stye. Attempting to pop it can push pus into the tissue surrounding the eye, thus spreading the infection. If drainage is required, a doctor will perform this procedure using a needle.

How Often Should I Use a Warm Compress on a Stye?

Healthdirect recommends placing a clean, warm washcloth on the closed eyelid for two to five minutes at a time, up to 20 times each day. If you opt to use a heated stye compress instead, follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding heating time and duration of application.

Source: healthdirect Australia, Stye, last reviewed May 2024, retrieved 30 September 2026. Product details are taken from the Eyes by Design online store product pages, retrieved 30 September 2026. This article serves as general information and does not replace professional advice from your optometrist or doctor.