Removing a stye

A stye is a tender, localised lump near an eyelash or within an eyelid, often with redness and watering. It can irritate the eye and sometimes produce discharge. A deeper, less tender lump may be a different eyelid problem, while widespread redness or changes in vision need assessment rather than home treatment alone.

Wash your hands, place a clean warm—not hot—cloth over the closed eye and re-warm it as it cools. Repeat the compress several times through the day, then gently clean away loosened crusting. Avoid eye makeup and contact lenses until the eye feels well, and do not share towels. Do not rub, squeeze, lance or apply leftover antibiotics or steroid creams near the eye without professional advice.

Arrange a GP consultation if the lump is not improving, keeps returning or makes it difficult to open the eye. Seek urgent help for worsening swelling around the eye, severe pain, fever, pain when moving the eye, blurred or reduced vision, light sensitivity or redness spreading across the face. An eye clinician may need to check whether drainage or another treatment is appropriate.

Ask whether this is a stye or another eyelid condition, how to clean the lid safely, whether treatment is needed and how to reduce recurrences.