What should you know about tiny stye?

A tiny stye is usually a localised inflamed eyelid gland that can improve with warm compresses and gentle eyelid hygiene. It may look like a small red or tender spot at the eyelid edge and can make the lid feel gritty or swollen.

A stye, or hordeolum, forms when an eyelash follicle or nearby oil gland becomes blocked and inflamed. The bump may develop a small pale centre, and nearby swelling can make blinking uncomfortable. A little crusting or Eye Discharge may occur, but widespread discharge or marked Red Eye suggests that another eye problem may be present.

Place a clean, comfortably warm damp cloth over the closed eyelid for several minutes, repeating this through the day. Wash hands before and after touching the eye, keep the eyelid clean, and avoid squeezing or popping the bump. Pause eye makeup and contact lenses until the eye feels normal. Use a fresh cloth each time and do not share towels.

Arrange a GP Consultation if the swelling keeps returning, does not settle, affects vision, or becomes increasingly painful. Seek urgent eye care for severe pain, rapidly spreading redness or swelling, fever, pain when moving the eye, or vision loss. A stye that drains does not need to be forced open.

Ask whether the bump is a stye or another eyelid lump, how to clean the lid, whether you should stop a particular eye product, and which changes require an urgent eye examination.