HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Stye
Whakawaikuratanga
Stye is the name for a lump or swelling that happens when an infection forms around the base of an eyelash, on the edge of your eyelid.
A stye can look like a tiny, yellow, pus-filled spot.
A stye is different from another common eyelid lump (chalazion), which tends to be larger. A chalazion is not painful and is on the inside of the eyelid.
You are more likely to get one if you:
- have had one before
- touch your eyelids when your hands are not clean
- have chronically inflamed eyelids and eyelashes, also called blepharitis
- have a skin condition like acne, rosacea or seborrhoeic dermatitis.
Symptoms of a stye
- Red, sore, swollen eyelids
- Tender swellings in your eyelids
- Watery eyes
- A lump on your eyelid.
Treating a stye
Styes usually get better on their own within a week or 2. Generally, you will not need any treatment.
If the stye has formed a head, it will burst and the stye will gradually go away. Applying a clean warm compress 4 times a day for 10 minutes at a time, can help bring the infection to the surface.
Do not try to squeeze or drain the stye yourself. If the stye is large or if it does not go away by itself, your general practice team may need to cut it open and drain it.
Preventing styes
Gently cleaning the eyelash edge of your eyelids each night can help prevent getting a stye. Use eye cleansing pads or diluted baby shampoo. You can also put a warm compress on your eye lids for a few minutes each night before bed.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- American Academy of Ophthalmology – What are chalazia and stye?
This section explains what causes chalazia and styes, the symptoms and treatment.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed March 2023.
SourcesReview key: HISTY-107875
