What should you know about a sore eye stye?

A stye, also called a hordeolum, forms when an eyelid oil gland or lash follicle becomes blocked and inflamed. It may look like a red spot or pimple at the eyelid edge, with swelling, watering, or crusting. Eye discharge or a more widespread red eye can occur alongside it; these symptoms can also have other causes.

A stye often affects one eye and may feel sore when you blink or touch the lid. Do not squeeze it, because pressure can spread inflammation into nearby tissue.

Hold a clean, comfortably warm cloth against the closed eyelid for several minutes, repeating this through the day. Use a fresh area of the cloth each time, wash your hands before and after touching the eye, and gently clean away any crusting with clean water.

Pause contact lenses and eye makeup until the eyelid has settled. Avoid sharing towels, pillowcases, cosmetics, or eye drops. If the lump does not begin to settle, or keeps returning, arrange a GP Consultation for an examination and tailored treatment.

Seek urgent medical help for reduced or blurred vision, severe eye pain, pain with eye movement, marked swelling around the eye, fever, or difficulty opening the eye. These features may indicate a problem beyond a small eyelid stye.

Arrange a routine review if the swelling persists, drains repeatedly, or interferes with daily activities. A clinician can check whether the lump is a stye or another eyelid condition.

Ask whether the lump is on the eyelid edge or deeper within the lid, whether you should use any prescribed treatment, and when it is safe to restart contact lenses or eye makeup.