Eye swollen from a stye: what should you know?

A stye is an inflamed eyelid gland, often appearing near the lash line as a sore red bump. The lid may feel heavy, tender, or puffy, and a small spot of discharge can form. Swelling usually stays close to the affected area. A deeper, less tender lump may be a different eyelid blockage, so examination is useful when the lump persists or keeps returning.

Apply a comfortably warm, clean compress to the closed eyelid for several minutes, repeating it through the day. Keep the lid clean and do not squeeze, pierce, or pick at the lump. Avoid eye makeup and contact lenses until healing. Wash your hands before and after touching the eyelid, and do not share face towels.

Arrange a GP review if the lump is not settling, becomes recurrent, or interferes with seeing. Seek urgent care for severe pain, fever, rapidly spreading redness or swelling, pain when moving the eye, or any new vision change. Swelling involving the tissues around the eye should not be treated as a simple stye without assessment.

Ask whether the lump is consistent with a stye, whether another eyelid condition is possible, and how to prevent recurrence. Mention any [Eye Discharge](/symptoms/eye-discharge/), [Red Eye](/symptoms/red-eye/), contact-lens use, or previous eyelid lumps.