How to treat a stye: home remedies and when to see a doctor

A stye — a red, painful bump on or inside your eyelid — is a common eye infection that usually clears up on its own within one to two weeks. Most styes don't require a doctor visit. But knowing how to treat one at home, and when the situation calls for professional care, can help you recover faster and avoid complications.

Styes and pink eye can look similar at first glance. If your eye is also red, watery, or producing discharge, our guide on urgent care for pink eye helps you figure out which condition you're dealing with.

What is a stye?

A stye (also called a hordeolum) is an infection of a gland at the base of an eyelash or inside the eyelid. It's usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria — the same bacteria responsible for many skin infections. Styes appear as a red, swollen bump that may feel tender to the touch, and they sometimes have a small white or yellow pus point at the center.¹

A chalazion is related but different — it's a painless, firm bump caused by a blocked oil gland (meibomian gland) rather than infection. Chalazia often develop after a stye has resolved.³

Home treatment: warm compresses

The first-line treatment for a stye is consistent application of warm compresses. Here's how to do it correctly:

• Soak a clean washcloth in warm (not hot) water.
• Wring it out and hold it gently against your closed eye for 10–15 minutes.
• Repeat 3–4 times per day.

The warmth helps bring the infection to a head and encourages it to drain naturally. Do not try to squeeze or pop a stye — this can spread the infection and worsen inflammation.²

Other home care tips

• Avoid wearing contact lenses until the stye has fully resolved. Contacts can introduce additional bacteria and slow healing.
• Skip eye makeup. Eye makeup — especially mascara and eyeliner — can harbor bacteria and irritate the infected gland.
• Wash your hands before touching your face. Styes spread easily if you rub your eyes with unclean hands.
• Use over-the-counter stye ointments sparingly. Some products can provide relief from discomfort but won't treat the infection itself. Avoid anything not formulated for eye use.

When to see a doctor for a stye

Most styes resolve on their own within 1–2 weeks with warm compresses. See a healthcare provider if:

• The stye is not improving after one week of home treatment
• It is growing larger, spreading, or becoming increasingly painful
• Your vision is affected or you notice swelling beyond the eyelid
• You have recurrent styes — this may indicate blepharitis (chronic eyelid inflammation) that needs treatment
• The bump is large, firm, and painless (chalazion) — some require minor drainage by a provider

When to visit urgent care

Other common eye irritations, like an uncontrollable twitch, can develop alongside styes during times of stress or fatigue. If that's something you're experiencing too, see our guide on how to stop eye twitching.

If your stye has not improved after 7–10 days of warm compresses, or if it is large, extremely painful, or affecting your vision, visit an urgent care clinic for same-day evaluation. A provider can prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment, and in some cases drain the stye in-office for faster relief. Use Solv to find urgent care near you that's open today.