# How Many Days Does a Stye Last?

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/blog/eye-diseases/how-many-days-does-a-stye-last

**Author:** Kudret Eye İstanbul | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özdil | **Date:** 2026-09-10

> **Summary:** A stye (hordeolum) is a bacterial infection of the oil or sweat glands at the base of the lashes, seen as a small, red, tender swelling on or around the eyelid. An external hordeolum generally settles by itself within three to seven days; an internal one can take one to two weeks, and delayed treatment can lead to a chronic chalazion lasting months.

## Quick Facts
- **External stye:** Generally settles within three to seven days.
- **Internal stye:** Can take one to two weeks.
- **Main cause:** Poor hygiene; most common organism is *Staphylococcus aureus*.
- **Main treatment:** Warm compress (around forty degrees, five to ten minutes, two to four times a day) and lid hygiene.
- **Antibiotics:** Usually not needed; drops or ointment only when necessary.

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## What is a Stye?
A bacterial infection, generally linked to frequent contact with the eye, at the base of the lashes or in the oil glands at the eyelid edge. It looks like a spot or red swelling. If left untreated it may not clear for a long time; if treatment is delayed a chronic chalazion can form.

**Risk factors:**
- Poor hygiene, rubbing the eyes with dirty hands
- Wearing contact lenses without proper hygiene or sterile handling
- Sleeping in make-up, not removing make-up properly, false lashes, sharing cosmetics
- Blepharitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, rosacea, diabetes, high oil content in the tear film

## How Does a Stye Develop?
Staphylococcus bacteria cause the eyelid glands to become blocked or inflamed. Make-up left on overnight blocks the oil glands and the lash base. Hands should be washed before touching the eye or handling lenses, and the lens solution changed.

## Types of Stye
- **External stye (hordeolum):** The most common type; an infection of the Zeis or Moll glands at the lash root, like a yellow-headed spot at the lash line.
- **Internal hordeolum:** Develops in a meibomian gland on the inner surface of the eyelid, usually swelling from the conjunctival side; can cause marked lid swelling and be more painful than an external stye.

## Symptoms
- Redness and swelling of the eyelid, sometimes pus-filled like a spot
- Pain, discomfort, pus discharge
- Watering and redness of the eye
- Strong sensitivity to light
- Heaviness, stinging, feeling of something in the eye
- Yellowish discharge, crusting at the lid edge

## Diagnosis
- Generally by clinical examination (firmness, redness, blockage at the lash base and lid oil glands); sometimes seen as a white-headed swelling.
- In diabetic patients or with frequent recurrence, checking blood glucose and HbA1c is recommended.
- For persistent lumps, a biopsy may be needed to distinguish a chalazion from an eyelid tumour.

## Treatment
- **Lid hygiene:** Clean the eyelid; non-stinging baby shampoo can be used gently for a few minutes at the lash base.
- **Warm compress:** Around forty degrees (lukewarm, not burning), five to ten minutes, two to four times a day; the warmth opens blocked oil glands.
- **Medication:** If the infection spreads or the stye does not clear, a doctor may prescribe antibiotic drops or ointment; most styes clear without them.
- **Do not squeeze or burst** a stye: it spreads the infection.
- **Chalazion:** If a stye does not subside within two to three weeks and a chalazion develops, incision and curettage or a steroid injection may be needed.

## Prevention
- Wash hands and face regularly, especially after waking, to remove oil and discharge around the eye.
- Avoid touching or rubbing the eyes with hands exposed to bacteria (public transport, keyboards).
- Take extra care with hygiene when wearing contact lenses.
- Remove make-up before sleeping; eye cosmetics can block the oil glands and lash base.

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## References
- Stye, NHS
- What Is the Difference Between a Stye and a Chalazion?, AAO