# How to Get Rid of a Stye

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/blog/eye-diseases/how-to-get-rid-of-a-stye

**Author:** Kudret Eye İstanbul | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özdil | **Date:** 2026-09-05

> **Summary:** A stye is a red, spot-like swelling of the eyelid caused by a bacterial infection, usually staphylococcus, that blocks and inflames the oil glands. Most styes heal on their own within one to two weeks with warm compresses and eyelid hygiene; antibiotics are used only on a doctor's advice in advanced cases.

## Quick Facts
- **Healing time:** Most heal within one to two weeks
- **See a doctor:** If it lasts longer than 2 weeks or the pain increases
- **Warm compress:** Lukewarm, five to ten minutes, two to four times a day
- **Main cause:** Staphylococcus infection, poor hand and eye hygiene
- **Do not:** Burst the stye, wear eye make-up or insert contact lenses until it clears

---

## How a Stye Forms
Staphylococcus bacteria block the oil (meibomian) glands at the edge of the eyelid and inflammation follows. Triggers:
- Touching the eye often with unwashed hands
- Poor contact lens care and hygiene
- Sleeping in heavy eye make-up, which blocks the glands
- Oil build-up at the lash base, especially in people with oily skin

## Types
- **External stye:** more common; starts in the lash follicles or oil glands at the lash base.
- **Internal stye:** starts in the oil glands within the eyelid tissue; can cause more pain and pressure than an external one.

## Symptoms
- Yellowish pus discharge
- Redness and swelling of the eyelid
- Stinging, pain and watering
- Heaviness and foreign-body feeling
- Crusting at the eyelid edges
- Light sensitivity

If a stye lasts longer than 2 weeks or the pain increases, a doctor should be consulted.

## Diagnosis
An ophthalmologist examines the lash base and eyelid with instruments and magnifiers; the stye may appear as a white-headed swelling felt clearly on examination. The type and cause are identified before treatment.

## Treatment
- Warm (not hot) compress for five to ten minutes to open blocked glands and expel the cyst-like content.
- Clean the area with non-stinging baby shampoo; gentle massage at the lash base with a cotton bud or by hand for five to ten minutes.
- Antibiotic drops sometimes; ointments and drops only as the doctor recommends.
- No eye make-up and no contact lenses until it clears.
- A stye can leave a mark, so if it lasts longer than 2 weeks or the pain increases, follow the doctor's instructions.

## Prevention
Hand and eye hygiene, never sleeping in make-up, and proper contact lens hygiene.

---

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Does a stye clear by itself?**
A: Yes, most heal within one to two weeks. See a doctor if it lasts longer than 2 weeks, symptoms are severe or styes recur often.

**Q: Should a stye be burst?**
A: No, it can worsen and spread the infection.

**Q: How often should a warm compress be applied?**
A: Five to ten minutes, lukewarm, two to four times a day.

**Q: Is a stye contagious?**
A: Direct transmission risk is low, but it can pass to the other eye or other people through hand to eye contact.

**Q: How can I stop it returning?**
A: Hand and eye hygiene, complete make-up removal and correct lens care.