A stye is a lump on your eyelid caused by a bacterial infection. Improperly sanitized contact lens, eye makeup, and conditions like diabetes and rosacea can increase your risk of a stye.
Styes can be uncomfortable but usually go away on their own. Practicing good hygiene can help prevent styes.
A stye is a reddish, pus-filled lump that forms on the outer edge of your eyelid. They occur when a clogged gland or follicle becomes infected.
Styes are typically tender to the touch and can be very painful. They are sometimes spelled “sty” and may also be referred to as hordeolums.
Type of styes
Styes can form on the outside (external) or inside (internal) of your eyelid.
External styes are more common than internal styes. Most external styes start in an eyelash follicle, but may also form in an oil producing gland.
Internal styes usually begin in a gland within your eyelid tissue. They push on the surface of your eye as they grow and tend to be more painful than external styes.
Symptoms of a stye can include:
- eyelid swelling and tenderness
- a yellowish discharge
- crust on the edge of your eyelid
- sensitivity to light
- a feeling of something in your eye
- a gritty feeling in your eye
- eye watering
- eyelid redness
Most styes are
Sometimes the bacteria can become trapped in a gland or hair follicle, leading to an infection.
Touching or rubbing your eye is the most common way bacteria can be transferred.
Factors that increase your risk of developing a stye include:
- not properly cleaning hands before inserting or removing contact lenses
- blocked glands due to a buildup of oil, sweat, or makeup
- a weakened immune system due to diabetes or other conditions
- skin conditions like rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis
Most styes don’t require treatment and go away on their own in
However, you can ease stye symptoms at home by washing your affected eyelid with a gentle soap like baby shampoo.
You can try applying a warm compress. To do this, soak a clean washcloth in warm water and hold it to your eyelid for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat this 3 to 5 times a day.
A doctor can usually diagnose a stye by looking at it.
Because styes are typically caused by staphylococcus bacteria, there’s usually no need for testing to determine the cause of the infection.
You can lower your risk of a stye by washing your hands frequently and keeping contact lenses clean and disinfected.
Also, practicing the following eye makeup hygiene tips can help prevent a stye:
- Make sure your eyelids are clean before applying makeup.
- Discard eye makeup after 3 months to avoid bacteria growth.
- Always apply eye makeup outside your lash lines, away from your eyes.
- Remove eye makeup completely before going to sleep.
If a stye affects your vision or doesn’t go away on its own, you may need to see an ophthalmologist to have it drained.
A doctor may also prescribe antibiotics if the infection from a stye spreads to other parts of your eye. However, this is rare in people without other risk factors, like a weakened immune system.
Why do I suddenly have styes?
Sudden or recurring styes can be caused by an overgrowth of bacteria from clogged oil glands. This is known as blepharitis. Blepharitis can develop when you don’t keep your eyelids clean and free of crusts.
Rosacea flare-ups that affect the eyes can also cause styes. Triggers like stress, intense physical activity, and exposure to extreme weather can cause rosacea flare-ups.
Are eye styes caused by stress?
Styes are caused by a bacterial infection and not directly related to stress. However, stress may increase your risk of infection.
Does a stye mean poor hygiene?
Styes are commonly caused by blocked glands due to a buildup of oil, sweat, or other material. Because of this, not regularly washing your face and hands can increase your risk of a stye.
Styes develop when a clogged gland or hair follicle on the edge of your eyelid becomes infected.
Styes can be painful but usually go away on their own. Washing eyes with a gentle shampoo and applying a warm compress can help them drain and heal more quickly.
If a stye doesn’t go away or if the infection spreads, contact your doctor.