What should you know about a minor stye?

A minor stye is a tender eyelid lump that usually benefits from warm compresses, clean hands and careful monitoring. It often appears near an eyelash as a sore red swelling and may produce a small amount of discharge. Most uncomplicated styes affect the eyelid rather than the eyeball, but changes in vision or spreading swelling need assessment.

A stye, or hordeolum, is a localised inflamed blockage involving an eyelid gland or eyelash follicle. The lid may feel gritty, tender or swollen, and the area can water. Do not confuse a stye with every cause of red eye or eye discharge: allergies, irritation and other infections can look similar. An examination is useful when the diagnosis is uncertain or episodes recur.

Wash your hands, place a clean warm compress over the closed eye for ten to fifteen minutes, and repeat several times through the day. Gently clean away discharge without rubbing the eye. Do not squeeze or pierce the lump, share towels, or use old eye makeup. Stop contact lenses and eye makeup until the eyelid feels well, and use pain relief only if it is suitable for you.

Seek urgent help for reduced or blurred vision, severe eye pain, pain with eye movement, marked light sensitivity, injury, or swelling that spreads around the eye. Arrange a GP consultation if the lump keeps returning, does not improve with warm compresses, affects vision, or comes with fever. A clinician may recommend treatment or check for another eyelid condition.

Ask whether the lump is a stye or another eyelid problem, how long to continue compresses, whether you should avoid lenses, and which symptoms would require an eye assessment.