Styes are very common, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t painful or irritating. An eye stye can form when one of the glands along the base of your eyelashes becomes clogged and infected.
Styes, which look similar to pimples, can form on your eyelid or the lining of your eye. The stye and the area around it might be tender and uncomfortable. You may feel like you have something stuck in your eye, causing the production of excess tears.
While it’s tempting to try to “pop” a stye, please don’t. You risk causing yourself further discomfort or making the condition worse.
Table of Contents
How to Treat an Eye Stye
Most styes will go away on their own after a few days, but the right care can help reduce discomfort and speed recovery. Here are the most effective ways to treat an eye stye:
- Warm Compresses – Apply a clean, warm (not hot) washcloth to the affected eyelid for 10–15 minutes, 3–4 times a day. The heat helps soften the blockage and encourages natural drainage.
- Gentle Eyelid Hygiene – Wash your hands before touching your eyes. Keep the eyelid area clean with a mild, tear-free cleanser or diluted baby shampoo.
- Avoid Squeezing or Popping – Trying to drain a stye yourself can spread infection and worsen irritation. Always let it heal naturally or under a doctor’s care.
- Skip Eye Makeup & Contact Lenses – Until the stye heals, avoid mascara, eyeliner, and contacts to reduce irritation and prevent spreading bacteria.
- Over-the-Counter Relief – Lubricating eye drops or mild pain relievers may help ease discomfort.
If the stye does not improve after several days, grows unusually large, or affects your vision, seek professional care. In some cases, an eye doctor may prescribe antibiotic ointment, drainage, or other treatment to clear the infection safely.
How to Properly Use a Warm Compress for a Stye
The warm compress is the most effective home remedy for an eye stye. It works by using heat to liquefy the hardened oils trapped inside the eyelid’s Meibomian glands, allowing the blockage to drain naturally.
To see results, you must maintain a consistent temperature. Follow these steps for the best results:
- Prepare the Compress: Use a clean, lint-free washcloth or a dedicated microwaveable eye mask. If using a washcloth, soak it in warm water.
- Check the Temperature: The water should be between 104°F and 115°F. It should feel very warm to the touch but not hot enough to scald the delicate skin of your eyelid.
- Apply and Hold: Close your eye and place the compress over the stye for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Maintain Heat: If using a washcloth, it will lose heat quickly. Re-dip it in warm water every 2-3 minutes to keep the temperature consistent.
Why “Warmth” is the Key to Healing
A stye is essentially an infected “clog” in the oil-producing glands of your eyelid. Just as butter melts when heated, the oils causing the stye need sustained warmth to soften.
Stye Prevention
- Wash your eyelids daily with a gentle soap.
- Remove eye makeup daily.
- Do not use someone else’s eye makeup.
- Toss older makeup and replace it yearly.
Professional Treatment – Signs & Symptoms
You should make an appointment with an eye doctor if:
- the stye does not go away after a few days or gets worse.
- you experience eye pain or you can’t open your eye completely
- your eye swells or turns red
- you have recurring styes
To make an appointment with one of the eye doctors at Michigan Eye Institute, please schedule an appointment online or contact the location nearest you.
Comments are closed.
