---
title: "Stye (hordeolum) | Eye Health Guide"
description: "External and internal styes, warm-compress treatment, stye versus chalazion, when antibiotics are needed, and prevention through lid hygiene."
url: https://eyehealthguide.org/conditions/stye/
source: Eye Health Guide
licence: "General information only. Cite the URL and the named medical reviewer."
---

Condition

# Stye (hordeolum)

Medical reviewer [Mr Mohamed Mohyudin](https://eyehealthguide.org/reviewers/mohamed-mohyudin/)· Last recorded site review July 6, 2026

### About this review

This page inherits the site’s previous review record. A separate, current article sign-off has not yet been recorded.

[How review works](https://eyehealthguide.org/reviewers/) · [Official biography & credentials](https://mohamedmohyudin.co.uk/author/mohamed-mohyudin/)

Quick answer

A stye (hordeolum) is a painful red lump on the eyelid, usually from infection in a lash follicle or oil gland. Most styes improve within 1–2 weeks with frequent warm compresses and without squeezing. See a clinician if the whole lid swells, vision is affected, or it does not improve — especially if you have diabetes or wear contact lenses.

### On this page ⌄

1. Your next step
2. What it is
3. Symptoms
4. Stye versus chalazion
5. Treatment
6. Prevention
7. When to seek care
8. Related conditions
9. Related symptoms
10. Frequently asked questions

## What it is

A stye is a localised infection or intense inflammation at the edge of the eyelid. An external stye points at the lash line and often has a visible yellow head. An internal stye forms under the lid skin from a meibomian gland and may feel deeper and more painful.

## Symptoms

Styes usually affect one eye.

- Tender red lump on the lid margin or under the skin
- Pain when blinking or touching the lid
- Watering and mild grittiness
- Sometimes a yellow spot at the lash root
- Occasional swelling of the whole eyelid

## Stye versus chalazion

A stye is usually painful and acute. A chalazion is a painless firm lump from a blocked oil gland without active infection — it develops more slowly and may last weeks. Warm compresses help both, but chalazia sometimes need steroid injection or minor surgery if they block vision or persist.

## Treatment

Do not squeeze or pierce a stye yourself — that can spread infection.

- Warm compress 4–6 times daily for 10 minutes
- Gentle lid massage after warming if advised
- Clean crusts at the lash line if blepharitis is present
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain if suitable for you
- Antibiotic ointment or tablets if prescribed for spreading infection

## Prevention

Recurrent styes often link to blepharitis or MGD. Daily lid hygiene, replacing old eye makeup, washing hands before touching eyes, and careful contact-lens hygiene reduce recurrence. Manage diabetes and rosacea if present.

## When to seek care

Same-day assessment if the entire eyelid is very swollen and hot, vision is blurred, you cannot open the eye, you feel unwell with fever, or you wear contact lenses. Urgent care if redness spreads to the cheek (possible orbital cellulitis).

## Related conditions

## Related symptoms

## Frequently asked questions

### How long does a stye last?

Most external styes improve within 7–14 days with warm compresses. Internal styes may take longer. See a clinician if there is no improvement after two weeks.

### Can I pop a stye?

No. Squeezing can spread infection into deeper lid tissues or the orbit. Let it drain naturally or have a clinician incise it if needed.

### Do I need antibiotic drops for a stye?

Many styes settle without antibiotics. They may be prescribed if infection spreads, you have cellulitis of the lid, or you are at higher risk.

### Why do I keep getting styes?

Recurrence often points to blepharitis, poor lid hygiene, outdated makeup, or contact-lens contamination. Treating underlying blepharitis is key.

### Is a stye contagious?

It is not spread like viral pink eye, but hand hygiene matters because bacteria on fingers can worsen infection or trigger new styes.

Your next step

## Take this to your appointment

Write down what has changed, when it started, your current medicines and the questions you want answered. Take these to your eye-care appointment.

Sudden loss of sight, severe eye pain or a dark curtain across vision needs immediate assessment. Do not wait to complete a worksheet.

## Sources for this information

These references support the information on this page. Follow the linked source for its full context.

- [NHS - Stye](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stye/)