Stye

Home care

• Apply a warm, damp towel to the affected area for at least 5 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day for a week. Warm compresses open the pores and speed the healing. Make sure the compresses are not too hot, because they may burn your eyelid.

• Eye drops or ointment are often prescribed to treat the infection. Use these as directed. 

• Artificial tears may also be used to lubricate the eye and make it more comfortable. You can buy these over the counter without a prescription. Talk with your healthcare provider before using any over-the-counter treatment for a stye.

• Sometimes the stye will drain with just the warm compresses. If this happens, keep using the antibiotic drops or ointment until all the redness and swelling are gone, or as directed by your healthcare provider.

• Wash your hands before and after touching the infected eyelid.

• Don’t squeeze or try to break open the stye.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised. 

When to get medical advice

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of the following occur:

• Swelling or redness around the eyelid gets worse after 48 to 72 hours

• Eye pain gets worse

• The eyelid feels hot

• Blood or thick pus drains from the stye

• Blister on the eyelid

• You can't open the eyelid because of swelling

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or above, or as directed by your healthcare provider

• Vision changes

• Headache or stiff neck

• The stye comes back