When it comes to eye issues, it can be tempting to panic and rush to an emergency room or doctor. A stye is a common eye infection. A stye is a red bump that forms on the eye and eyelids when an oil gland or eyelash follicle becomes clogged, causing symptoms like puffy or watery eyes. They can be painful and for people that aren’t familiar with them, they may feel that they need immediate medical attention. But although there is nothing wrong with exercising caution, oftentimes a stye can be managed just fine with at-home care.
Keep reading to learn more about styes, how to treat them at home, and when you should go to the ER for a stye on the eye.
How to Treat a Stye at Home
A stye, medically known as a hordeolum, is a small, painful lump that typically forms along the edge of the eyelid at the base of an eyelash. It develops when bacteria, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus, infects a blocked oil gland or hair follicle in the eyelid. The result is a localized infection that causes the area to become red, swollen, and tender to the touch.
There are two main types of styes. An external stye forms on the outside of the eyelid and is the more common type, it usually looks like a small pimple or boil along the lash line. An internal stye develops inside the eyelid as a result of infection in the meibomian gland, one of the oil-secreting glands that lines the inner surface of the eyelid. Internal styes tend to be more painful and are less likely to resolve without treatment.
Styes should not be confused with chalazia, which are non-infectious blockages of the same oil glands. While both produce a bump on the eyelid, a chalazion is typically painless and develops more slowly than a stye. If you are unsure which type of eyelid bump you are dealing with, a medical professional can diagnose the condition and recommend the appropriate treatment. You can learn more about the key differences in our guide on identifying a bump forming under the eye.
How to Treat a Stye at Home
Generally, a stye is a common and relatively harmless condition. Most styes will begin to improve within a few days and fully resolve within one to two weeks with consistent at-home care. Follow these tips for safely treating a stye at home:
Apply a warm compress
This is the single most effective at-home treatment for a stye. The warmth helps to soften the blocked material inside the oil gland, encouraging it to drain naturally and allowing the infection to resolve more quickly. Apply a clean, warm, damp cloth to the affected eye for up to 15 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day. Make sure the cloth is not too hot to avoid burning the delicate skin around the eye.
Keep the affected area clean
It is important to keep the eyelid area clean so that bacteria does not spread to other follicles or worsen the existing infection. Gently wipe the eyelid with a mild, fragrance-free soap or a dedicated eyelid cleanser. Avoid using harsh products near the eye that could cause additional irritation.
Avoid touching or rubbing your eye
Touching or rubbing the stye may aggravate the lesion and could spread bacteria to the other eye or surrounding skin. It is best to employ a hands-off policy until the stye heals. If you must touch the area, always wash your hands thoroughly before and after.
Avoid wearing eye makeup or contact lenses while the stye heals
Both eye makeup and contact lenses can irritate and further clog oil glands or eyelash follicles, slowing the healing process and increasing the risk of spreading the infection. Take a break from mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow until the stye has fully resolved. If you wear contact lenses, switch to glasses temporarily.
Do not try to pop the stye
Styes are not pimples. They should NEVER be popped unless your doctor determines that it needs to be professionally drained and treated. Attempting to pop a stye on your own could cause the infection to spread deeper into the eyelid or surrounding tissue, leading to serious complications and a significantly longer healing time.
How to Prevent Recurring Styes
If you notice that you have been getting styes more frequently and your doctor cannot identify a specific medical cause, it may be time to review your hygiene habits.
Sleeping in eye makeup is one of the most common contributing factors to recurring styes. Makeup residue left on the eyelashes overnight can clog follicles and create an environment where bacteria thrive. Make removing eye makeup before bed a non-negotiable part of your evening routine.
It is also important to replace frequently used eye makeup, particularly mascara and eyeliner, every 3 to 6 months. Old makeup harbors bacteria that can easily be transferred to the eyelid and trigger an infection. Never share eye makeup with others, and discard any products that have been used while you had an active stye.If you wear contact lenses, always handle them with clean hands, use fresh contact solution daily, and replace your lenses and cases on the schedule recommended by your eye care provider. Poor contact lens hygiene is a significant risk factor for styes and other eye infections.
Knowing the warning signs of common infections can also help you recognize early on when a recurring or persistent stye may be developing into something that requires professional treatment.
Can You Go Blind From a Stye?
A stye typically isn’t something that you should be overly concerned about, the likelihood of one causing a serious complication like blindness is very slim. The vast majority of styes resolve completely without any lasting effect on vision or eye health.
However, there are circumstances in which a stye can signal something more serious. If your vision has become blurred or obstructed, or the stye has gotten so severe that it causes your eye to swell shut, you should seek immediate medical attention. These symptoms suggest that the infection has progressed beyond a routine stye and may be spreading to surrounding tissue, a condition known as periorbital cellulitis, which requires prompt antibiotic treatment. Left untreated, periorbital cellulitis can spread and become a serious threat to both vision and overall health.
Can Urgent Care Treat a Stye?
A commonly asked question is: should I go to urgent care for a stye? The answer depends on the severity. Not all styes need to be seen by a doctor, but if you believe your stye requires medical attention, visiting an emergency center is a better option than waiting for a specialist appointment. A doctor can prescribe antibiotic ointments, professionally drain the stye if it is large or not responding to home treatment, or suggest a minor surgical procedure to have it removed if it is very persistent or recurring. Emergency centers are equipped to provide this type of care quickly and without the wait of a specialist referral.
When Should You Go to the ER for a Stye?
Most styes do not require emergency care, but the following signs indicate it is time to seek professional evaluation without delay:
- Vision changes: Any blurring, double vision, or obstruction of sight is a red flag that the infection may be affecting deeper structures of the eye
- The eye swells shut: Severe swelling that prevents you from opening the eye signals significant infection that home care cannot address
- Spreading redness or warmth: If redness extends beyond the eyelid to the surrounding skin of the face, the infection may be spreading and requires antibiotic treatment
- Fever: A fever accompanying a stye indicates a systemic response to infection, which always warrants medical evaluation
- Rapidly growing lump: A bump that grows quickly or changes in appearance should be assessed to rule out more serious eyelid conditions
No improvement after one week, A stye that is not responding to consistent warm compress therapy after seven days should be evaluated by a physician
Visit Village Emergency Centers Today
At Village Emergency Centers, we understand that an eye issue can be particularly alarming. While no one wants to make an unnecessary trip to the doctor, it’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to your vision. We offer expert care across our locations in the Greater Houston area with little to no wait, so your concern can be addressed as swiftly as possible. Your vision is not something you should risk, and with affordable care options and no surprise billing, there is no reason to wait if you feel you need to be seen.
If you are still wondering if you should go to the ER for a stye on the eye, check-in today. Whether you need an ER in Jersey Village or League City, visit a location near you for prompt and reliable emergency care. Our team is here to provide expert treatment whenever you need it most.