How can you help a stye heal?

A stye is a tender, localised lump at the edge of the eyelid, often beside an eyelash. The lid may look swollen and red, and the area can feel sore when blinking. A small amount of discharge or crusting can occur as the blocked gland drains. This is different from irritation affecting the whole eye, although both can cause redness.

Eye Discharge or widespread Red Eye may point to another eye problem or an additional infection. The appearance, location, and effect on vision help a clinician decide what is happening.

Wash your hands, place a clean warm flannel over the closed eyelid, and re-warm it as it cools. Repeat this several times through the day. Clean away crusts gently with clean water and avoid sharing towels, eye cosmetics, or pillowcases.

Do not pop, pierce, or squeeze the lump. Pause eye makeup and contact lenses until tenderness and discharge have cleared. If the stye keeps returning, a clinician can look for eyelid-gland problems and discuss a longer-term lid-cleaning routine.

Arrange a GP Consultation if the swelling is spreading, pain is increasing, vision is blurred, light is uncomfortable, or the lump is not improving. Seek urgent care for severe eye pain, sudden vision change, fever with facial swelling, or difficulty moving the eye.

Ask whether the lump is a stye or another eyelid condition, whether treatment is needed, and how to prevent recurrence. Tell the clinician about contact-lens use, repeated episodes, discharge, changes in vision, and any skin conditions affecting the eyelids.