Stye

Stye symptoms

The most obvious sign of a stye is a small lump on your eyelid – either on the edge near your lashes or tucked inside the lid. It can look like a regular spot and often comes with some swelling or discomfort. Here are other symptoms to watch out for.

Red, swollen eyelid

A stye usually starts with redness and swelling around the eyelid. The skin might look puffy and feel sore, especially near the lump. This swelling is a normal response to infection and should start to settle as the stye heals.

Tender or painful to touch

The lump itself often feels sore, especially when blinking or touching the area. This discomfort is often one of the first signs that a stye is forming. The pain should ease once the stye starts to drain and heal.

Itchy eyes

Some people with a stye notice their eyes feel itchy or irritated. This is caused by the surrounding inflammation or minor discharge from the infected area. Try not to touch or rub the eye, as this can make symptoms worse or spread the infection.
Learn more about itchy eyes

Gritty or scratchy feeling

You might feel like there’s something stuck in your eye, even though there’s nothing visible. This gritty or scratchy feeling is common with styes and is caused by the swelling or discharge irritating the eye’s surface.
Learn more about the feeling of something in the eye

Sensitivity to light

Some people become more sensitive to bright light when they have a stye. This can make going outside or looking at screens uncomfortable. The light sensitivity should improve once the swelling and irritation calm down.

Crusty eyelid

You might notice dried discharge or crust forming on the eyelid, especially after sleeping. This can make your eyelid feel sticky or hard to open in the morning. Gently cleaning the area with warm water can help.
Learn more about blepharitis

Yellow or white discharge

As the stye gets bigger, you might see a yellow or white spot appear. This is pus building up near the surface of the lump. It can burst and drain on its own – don’t try to squeeze it, as this can spread the infection.

Watery eyes

Your eye may produce more tears than usual while the stye is healing. This extra moisture helps protect the eye and flush out irritants, but it can be uncomfortable or affect your vision slightly.
Learn more about watery eyes

Lump with no pain

Not all eyelid lumps are styes. If the bump isn’t red or sore, you might have a chalazion – a blocked oil gland that tends to be firmer and longer‑lasting than a stye.
Learn more about chalazion

Blurry vision

If a stye causes a lot of swelling, it can sometimes press on the surface of your eye or block your line of sight slightly. This might make your vision feel a bit blurry or hazy. It’s not common, but if your sight changes or gets worse, speak to an optometrist.
Learn more about blurry vision

What causes a stye?

Styes are usually caused by staphylococcus – a type of bacteria that lives on your skin and in your nose. It’s harmless most of the time, but if it gets into a hair follicle or gland in your eyelid, it can cause a red, painful lump. While anyone can get a stye, some things can make it more likely.

Poor eyelid hygiene

Not cleaning your eyelids properly can lead to a build‑up of oil, dirt and bacteria. These can clog the glands in your eyelid or infect a lash follicle. Washing your face daily, including around your eyes, can help reduce the risk.

Blepharitis

This is a long‑term condition that causes your eyelids to become red, flaky and inflamed. It often affects the base of your eyelashes, where styes tend to form. If you have blepharitis, you might notice styes happening more often.
Learn more about blepharitis

Eye make‑up

Using expired, contaminated or shared cosmetics (like eyeliner or mascara) can spread bacteria to your eyelids. If you don’t remove your make‑up properly before bed, it can build up and block oil glands and raise the risk of infection.

Skin conditions

Conditions like rosacea or eczema can cause inflammation around the eyes, including the eyelids. This can make the area more sensitive and more prone to blocked glands and infection, which can lead to styes.

Diabetes

High blood sugar levels can weaken your immune response and affect how well your body deals with minor infections. This makes you more likely to get things like styes or other eye issues, especially if diabetes isn’t well controlled.
Learn more about diabetic retinopathy

A weak immune system

When your immune system isn’t working at full strength, whether due to illness, certain medications or lifestyle factors, you’re more likely to get bacterial infections, including styes.

Previous eyelid lumps

If you’ve had a chalazion before, there’s a higher chance you’ll get another eyelid lump. Chalazia form when glands get blocked, and they can sometimes get infected and turn into a stye.
Learn more about chalazion

How to treat a stye

Most styes clear up on their own within a week or two. The lump often swells, then forms a white or yellow spot as it heals. There are simple things you can do at home to help it along and signs to watch out for in case you need more support.

Relieving a stye at home

A warm compress is the safest and most effective home treatment. It helps bring the pus to the surface, so the lump can drain naturally. Use a clean flannel soaked in warm (not hot) water and hold it over your closed eye for 10–15 minutes. Do this a few times a day. Avoid squeezing the lump or trying old remedies like rubbing a gold ring on it. These won’t help and could make things worse. Stick to clean hands, gentle heat, and letting the stye heal in its own time.

When to see a doctor

If the stye is getting bigger, more painful, or not improving after a few days, it’s time to get it looked at. A doctor may need to drain it using a small needle under local anaesthetic. You might also be given an antibiotic cream or ointment. Painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can ease soreness while the stye heals. Just make sure to follow the instructions on the label.

When to see an optometrist or doctor

Most styes clear up on their own, but if it’s not getting better after a week, keeps coming back, or starts to affect your vision, it’s best to get it checked. You should also speak to an expert if the swelling spreads, your eye becomes very painful, or you’re finding it hard to open. An optometrist can take a closer look and let you know if it needs treatment or if it’s something else like a chalazion or blepharitis.

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