What should you know about squeezing a stye?

A stye is a tender, inflamed lump near an eyelash or in an eyelid gland. It may contain trapped material, but forcing it open can damage delicate eyelid tissue and move bacteria to nearby skin. A stye is different from every cause of a red eye, so worsening redness should not be dismissed as a routine lump.

Most uncomplicated styes improve with supportive care. Crusting or discharge may occur, and this can overlap with the symptom of eye discharge. Pain, swelling, or redness that extends beyond the immediate eyelid deserves assessment because it may indicate a wider infection or another eye problem.

Wash your hands before touching the eyelid. Hold a clean, comfortably warm compress against the closed eye for several minutes and repeat it through the day. Wipe away loosened discharge gently with clean water, using a fresh part of the cloth each time.

Avoid rubbing the eye, sharing towels, wearing eye makeup, or using contact lenses until the eye feels better. Do not pierce the lump or apply someone else's eye drops. A GP consultation can help if the lump is persistent, recurrent, unusually painful, or affecting vision.

Seek urgent eye care for reduced or blurred vision, severe eye pain, pain when moving the eye, marked swelling around the eye, fever with spreading redness, light sensitivity, or an eye that becomes intensely red. Get prompt advice if an injury or chemical exposure occurred.

Ask whether the lump is a stye or another eyelid condition, how long to continue warm compresses, and whether treatment is needed. Mention contact lens use, repeated episodes, discharge, vision changes, and any redness beyond the eyelid.