What should you know about a stye?

A stye may look like a small red spot, swelling, or pimple at the eyelid edge. The area can feel sore when you blink or touch it, and the eye may water. Some styes form on the outside of the lid; others develop deeper inside. A stye is different from a painless, firm eyelid lump that can follow blocked oil flow. Do not assume every red or swollen eye is a stye; irritation, infection elsewhere, or a problem involving the tear drainage area can look similar.

Wash your hands before touching your face. Place a clean, comfortably warm cloth over the closed eyelid for several minutes, repeating this during the day. Use a fresh clean part of the cloth each time, and avoid squeezing, piercing, or rubbing the bump. Pause eye makeup and contact lenses until the lid feels settled. Keep towels, face cloths, and cosmetics personal. If the swelling does not settle or keeps returning, arrange a GP Consultation.

Seek prompt medical advice if pain or swelling is severe, redness spreads beyond the eyelid, vision changes, light hurts your eye, or moving the eye is painful. Same-day assessment is also sensible when you feel unwell, the eyelid is becoming rapidly more swollen, or the bump is close to the inner corner with marked tenderness. Thick discharge or a persistently very red eye may need a different assessment; see information about Eye Discharge and Red Eye.

Ask whether the lump is consistent with a stye, whether an eyelid or eye-surface infection should be considered, and what to do if it does not improve. Mention contact lens use, repeated episodes, vision changes, discharge, and any swelling near the nose.