A stye is caused by an infection of the glands along the edge of the eyelid , near the eyelashes. The infection causes these glands to swell, become hot and red , and form a painful bump similar to a pimple. It usually appears on the upper or lower eyelid and, in most cases, affects only one eye.
A stye usually heals on its own within a few days or weeks. However, sometimes it requires topical treatments , antibiotic ointments , or even surgical drainage performed by an ophthalmologist. Knowing how to act from the outset helps speed healing and prevent complications such as the appearance of new styes or the formation of a chalazion.
How can you avoid complications and speed up healing? Keep reading to discover daily care , hygiene habits , heat remedies , and when it's essential to see a specialist.
What is a stye, types and most frequent causes
A stye is a red, painful bump located on the edge of the eyelid. It occurs when a sebaceous gland becomes blocked and infected, usually by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus . This germ is part of the skin's normal flora, but when oil, makeup residue, or dirt accumulate, it can multiply and trigger inflammation.
There are two main types of stye:
- External stye: appears in the base of a tabon the edge of the eyelid. It is the most common type and is usually visible to the naked eye as a pimple with a possible white dot of pus.
- Internal stye: it develops inside the eyelid by affecting the Meibomian glands. It can be more painful, take longer to heal, and, if it becomes cystic, eventually transform into a chalazion (a hard, painless lump).
Factors that increase the risk of developing a stye include poor eye hygiene (not removing makeup properly, touching the eyes with dirty hands), chronic blepharitis (persistent inflammation of the eyelid margin), the use of expired or contaminated cosmetics , stress that weakens the immune system, and certain skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, or very oily skin.
Symptoms of a stye and differences with other lesions
Recognizing a stye early is key to providing the right care and preventing it from getting worse. The most common symptoms are:
- Localized inflammation: noticeable swelling in the eyelid that can slightly limit the field of vision if it is very large.
- Local redness and heatThe skin of the eyelid appears red, hot, and sensitive to touch.
- Pain or discomfortespecially when blinking or touching the affected area.
- Tearing and increased tear production, sometimes accompanied by a gritty or foreign body sensation.
- Crusts or secretions around the eyelashes, especially upon waking.
If the lump is painless, deeper, and feels hard, it's more likely a chalazion than a stye. While initial treatments with heat and cleaning are similar, a chalazion can take longer to resolve and often requires simple surgical removal.
Basic care to cure a stye at home
Maintaining good hygiene and applying local heat are the most important measures to allow the stye to drain naturally and resolve without problems.
Keep your eyelids clean. Moisten a cotton swab with baby shampoo diluted half with water, gently wipe the edges of your eyelids, and rinse thoroughly with water before opening your eyes. This gentle cleansing helps remove oil, makeup residue, and bacteria without irritating your eyes.
You can also clean your eyes with specific eyelid wipes or ophthalmic soaps prescribed by your doctor, always using gentle movements from the inner corner of the eye towards the outer corner to avoid dragging dirt into the eye.
Apply warm compresses , with your eye closed, for 5 to 10 minutes, three or four times a day. The common practice of rubbing a gold ring on the stye is actually a way to apply local heat , which is what really helps. The heat softens the pus and fat , encouraging the stye to open and drain on its own.
To do this safely, dampen a clean cloth with warm water, wring it out so it doesn't drip, and gently place it on your eyelid. Make sure the water isn't too hot to avoid burns, and repeat the process several times a day. Some people use warm black tea bags as a compress, as the moist heat and the properties of the tea can help reduce inflammation.
Medical treatments, ointments, and when to use them
In many cases heat and hygiene are sufficient, but there are situations where additional treatment prescribed by a specialist is necessary.
- If your doctor prescribed it, put one on. cream containing antibioticsThere are various antibiotic ointments and eye drops to treat the infection that causes a stye, but they should only be used with a doctor's prescription, as they are not always necessary.
- In some specific cases, the ophthalmologist may associate a corticosteroid local to reduce inflammation, or even a steroid injection if the lump has become encapsulated.
- If the stye is very large, very painful, internal, or does not respond to conservative treatment, the specialist may recommend a surgical drain simple, with local anesthesia and on an outpatient basis.
You can use common painkillers, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, following the instructions in the package leaflet, to relieve pain and discomfort, provided you have no medical contraindications.
Do not use topical steroids on your own or antibiotic drops without a prescription, as they can produce side effects and are not always helpful for external styes.
Hygiene and habits to prevent a stye from worsening
The way you touch your eyes and care for your eyelids makes a big difference in both healing and preventing new episodes.
- Wash your hands well Before touching your eyes. To do this, use nail brushes and soap if you wish, making sure to thoroughly remove any accumulated dirt.
- Evita rub or scratch The stye: you could worsen the inflammation, cause it to rupture inwards, or spread bacteria to other areas of the eyelid.
- Do not try burst or puncture The lump looks like a pimple. Forcing it open increases the risk of the infection spreading to deeper tissues.
- don't share towels, pillows, or makeup products, as they can facilitate bacterial spread.
If you wear contact lenses, it's best to wear glasses while the stye is inflamed , as bacteria can contaminate the lenses and perpetuate the infection. It's also advisable to avoid mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow until the stye has cleared up, since these products can clog the glands and hinder healing.
Healing time, encapsulated stye and recurrences
The time it takes for a stye to disappear varies, although most resolve with simple home treatment in approximately 7 to 10 days. In some people, the swelling subsides in about 3 days, and the stye eventually opens and drains completely within a month.
When a stye doesn't drain properly or the inflammation persists, it can become encapsulated and develop into a chalazion: a harder lump, usually painless and cold to the touch. In these situations, applying heat and gentle massage are still helpful, but often an ophthalmologist will need to assess whether surgical removal is necessary to permanently eliminate the lesion.
Having a stye increases the risk of developing another one on the same eyelid, the other eyelid, or even both. Therefore, it's important to maintain good eyelid hygiene and care even after the acute episode has cleared.
Frequently asked questions about styes and their treatment
How long does a stye take to disappear? Most resolve within a few days, although some can last for several weeks. If it doesn't improve after a week of treatment, it's advisable to consult an ophthalmologist.
Can a stye be caused by stress? Stress is not the direct cause, but it can worsen blepharitis and lower the immune system, making the eyelid glands more susceptible to infection.
Are styes contagious? Generally, styes are not considered directly contagious, just as a pimple isn't transmitted from person to person. However, the large number of bacteria present in the pus can cause other outbreaks on the skin or eyelid itself if proper hygiene isn't maintained.
Can it be treated with chamomile or other home remedies? Some people use warm compresses with chamomile infusion as part of the treatment, taking advantage of both the heat and certain soothing properties. However, it is not advisable to apply home remedies not prescribed by an ophthalmologist, especially if they can irritate the eye or introduce more bacteria.
Can I wear makeup if I have a stye? It's not advisable. Makeup on the eyelashes or eyelid margin can further clog the glands , delay healing, and contaminate cosmetic products.
When to consult your doctor or ophthalmologist
Check with your doctor if:
- The skin around your eye, near the stye, becomes very red and hot, with an appearance of extensive inflammation.
- You feel much pain or intense tearing that does not improve with home remedies.
- You present vision problems, such as blurred vision, a feeling of pressure inside the eye, or difficulty opening the eyelid.
- The stye is internal, increases in size, does not improve after several days of home care, or appears fever and general malaise.
- You have styes in the shape of recurrentwhich may indicate blepharitis, skin problems, improper use of contact lenses, or another associated pathology.
The ophthalmologist will assess whether it is necessary to prescribe oral antibiotics , reinforce eyelid hygiene, apply techniques such as IPL to improve Meibomian gland function , or perform a simple surgical drainage. A timely professional evaluation allows for faster resolution of the stye and reduces the likelihood of its recurrence.
Maintaining eyelid hygiene, applying local heat correctly, avoiding manipulating the bump, and seeing a specialist if the condition does not improve are key to a stye healing quickly, safely, and with the lowest possible risk of complications.