What should you know about an itchy stye?

A stye, also called a hordeolum, develops near an eyelash or inside the eyelid when a small oil gland or follicle becomes blocked and inflamed. It can cause a focused bump, itching, soreness, watering and mild eyelid swelling. Crusting or eye discharge can occur, while redness may involve the eyelid or the visible eye. An itchy bump is not the same as every cause of eyelid swelling; allergy, irritation or another eyelid problem can look similar.

Wash your hands before touching the eye. Hold a clean, comfortably warm, damp cloth against the closed eyelid for several minutes, and repeat this a few times during the day. Do not squeeze, pierce or rub the bump. Pause eye makeup and contact lenses until the eyelid feels well, and use a fresh towel or face cloth rather than sharing one. If symptoms keep returning, note whether eyelid debris, cosmetics or rubbing preceded them and discuss that pattern with a clinician.

Arrange an eye or GP assessment if the swelling spreads, the pain becomes marked, vision changes, light feels unusually uncomfortable, or the eye cannot open normally. Seek urgent help for severe eye pain, sudden vision loss, major swelling around the eye, fever with worsening redness, or feeling very unwell. An assessment is also sensible when a lump does not settle or keeps coming back, because the diagnosis may need checking.

Could this be a stye or another eyelid condition? Should I continue warm compresses, and should I stop any eye products? What symptoms would mean I need an eye specialist?