At-home treatment for a stye

Hold a clean, comfortably warm cloth against the closed eyelid, reheating it as it cools. This can soften blocked material and allow the eyelid gland to drain naturally.

A stye is a tender, localised bump caused by inflammation or infection in an eyelid oil gland or eyelash follicle. It may sit at the lash line or deeper within the lid, with nearby swelling, watering, or crusting.

A deeper lump that is less tender may instead be a chalazion, which is a blocked gland. Widespread redness or pain within the eye itself is not typical of a simple stye.

Wash your hands before touching the area, use a fresh cloth for each session, and gently clean crust from the lid margin. Stop wearing contact lenses and eye makeup until the lid has settled; replace products that may have touched the affected eye.

Do not squeeze, pierce, or repeatedly rub the lump. Avoid sharing towels. A pharmacist or clinician can advise whether pain relief is suitable for you, especially if you are pregnant, have other conditions, or take regular medicines.

Arrange medical review if swelling keeps worsening, spreads around the eye, interferes with opening the lid, repeatedly returns, or does not begin to settle with home care. A clinician may check for a deeper infection or another eyelid condition.

Seek urgent care for reduced vision, severe eye pain, pain with eye movement, fever with spreading redness, a chemical injury, or marked sensitivity to light. These features need assessment rather than further home treatment.

Ask whether the lump looks like a stye or chalazion, whether there are signs of infection beyond the eyelid, and when contact lenses can be worn again. If styes recur, ask whether eyelid inflammation, skin disease, or lens hygiene could be contributing.