Stye in the corner of the eye near the nose

The inner corner contains the openings and channels that drain tears into the nose. A tender bump along the eyelash edge can still be a stye, while swelling right beside the nose may involve nearby tear drainage tissue or another cause of inflammation. Watery eyes, crusting, or discharge can accompany several eye problems. Location alone cannot confirm the diagnosis, especially when the inner corner is very painful, the swelling is spreading, or the eye itself is increasingly red.

Wash your hands before touching the area. Hold a clean, comfortably warm cloth over the closed eyelid for several minutes, repeating during the day. Wipe any fluid gently away from the nose toward the outside using clean material each time. Do not press on the inner corner, squeeze the bump, or put non-prescribed products into the eye. Avoid eye makeup and contact lenses until symptoms have settled. A GP Consultation can clarify whether the lump is a stye or involves tear drainage.

Seek same-day medical advice for swelling beside the nose, worsening tenderness, pus-like discharge, fever, spreading redness, or feeling unwell. Get urgent help if vision changes, light hurts, the eye is difficult to move, or pain is severe. Read about Eye Discharge and Red Eye if those symptoms are present, but do not delay assessment when the inner-corner swelling is progressing.

Ask whether the bump is on the eyelid edge or near a tear-drainage opening, whether discharge needs treatment, and how closely to monitor the swelling. Tell the clinician about contact lenses, vision changes, fever, previous episodes, and the direction in which the swelling is spreading.