Double stye: what it means and what to do

A stye, also called a hordeolum, is a painful red lump near the eyelash line or beneath the eyelid. Two styes can appear at once, particularly when eyelid glands are irritated or blocked. The area may feel gritty, swollen, and sensitive to touch. Sticky eye discharge or a red eye can occur, but these symptoms can also have other causes.

A stye is different from a deeper, usually less tender eyelid lump called a chalazion. A clinician can examine the eyelid when the diagnosis is uncertain.

Apply a clean, comfortably warm compress to the closed eyelid for several minutes, repeating this through the day. Wash your hands before and after touching the eye. Keep the eyelid clean, do not squeeze or pierce the lump, and pause eye makeup and contact lenses until the eye has recovered. Do not share towels, flannels, or cosmetics.

A GP consultation may be useful if lumps recur, do not improve, or interfere with vision. Antibiotic treatment is not needed for every stye, so use it only when prescribed.

Seek urgent medical care for vision changes, severe eye pain, pain when moving the eye, rapidly spreading swelling or redness, fever, or swelling that prevents the eye opening. Arrange prompt assessment if the whole eyelid becomes very swollen, the eye bulges, or symptoms continue despite home care.

Ask whether the lumps are styes or another eyelid problem, whether any treatment is needed, and how to prevent recurrence. Mention contact lens use, recent eye products, discharge, and any change in vision.