What Is a stye?
A stye is a small, red bump that forms on the edge of your eyelid. It looks like a pimple and can be sore or swollen, but it usually goes away on its own in a few days.
Causes of a stye
A stye is usually caused by bacteria that get into the tiny oil glands in your eyelid. This can happen if you touch your eyes with dirty hands or if your eyelid gets clogged with oil or dead skin.
Risk factors for a stye
- You rub your eyes a lot
- You don’t clean your contact lenses properly
- You wear old makeup or don’t take it off before bed
- You have conditions like blepharitis (swollen eyelids)
Symptoms of a stye
Common signs of a stye include:
- A red bump on the edge of your eyelid
- Swelling around the eye
- Pain or tenderness
- Watery eyes or feeling like something is in your eye
- A small yellow spot at the center of the bump (like a pimple)
Diagnosing a stye
A doctor can usually tell it’s a stye just by looking at your eye. No special tests are needed in most cases.
Treatment of a stye
Most styes heal on their own, but there are things you can do to feel better faster:
- Put a warm washcloth on your eye a few times a day
- Don’t pop or squeeze the stye
- Keep your hands and face clean
- Avoid wearing eye makeup or contact lenses until it heals
If the stye doesn’t go away or gets worse, your doctor may give you an antibiotic or drain it.