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Hashemi Eye Care - Neuroscience Institute and Research Center

Hordeolum (Stye)

A painful, red bump on the eyelid caused by an infected oil gland. Learn about symptoms, home treatment, and when to see a doctor.

6 min read

A hordeolum, commonly called a stye, is a painful red bump on the eyelid caused by a bacterial infection of an oil gland or hair follicle. Styes are very common and usually resolve within a week with home treatment. While uncomfortable, they rarely cause serious complications.

Key Takeaways

  • Acute bacterial infection of an eyelid gland
  • Painful, tender, red bump usually at the lid margin
  • Most resolve within a week with warm compresses
  • Do not squeeze or pop—can spread infection
  • May become a chalazion if inflammation persists
  • Good lid hygiene helps prevent recurrence

Types of Styes

External Hordeolum (Most Common)

  • Located at base of eyelash
  • Infection of Zeis gland (oil gland) or Moll gland (sweat gland)
  • Points outward on lid margin
  • Looks like a pimple on the eyelid

Internal Hordeolum

  • Located on inner surface of eyelid
  • Infection of meibomian gland
  • May be deeper and larger
  • Points inward
  • Often more painful

Symptoms

Classic Presentation

  • Painful, tender bump on eyelid
  • Redness and swelling
  • Located at or near lid margin
  • May have visible "whitehead" or pus point
  • Lid may feel heavy
  • Tearing
  • Light sensitivity
  • Gritty or scratchy sensation
  • Crusting along lashes

Timeline

  • Usually develops rapidly (1-2 days)
  • Peaks at days 2-4
  • Often drains spontaneously
  • Resolves within 1-2 weeks

Causes

Bacteria

  • Usually Staphylococcus aureus
  • Bacteria normally present on skin/lashes
  • Overgrows when gland becomes blocked

Risk Factors

  • Blepharitis
  • Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
  • Rosacea
  • Previous styes
  • Poor lid hygiene
  • Touching eyes with unwashed hands
  • Leaving eye makeup on overnight
  • Using old or contaminated makeup
  • Contact lens wear (especially with poor hygiene)
  • Stress and fatigue (may lower immunity)

Treatment

Home Treatment

Warm compress technique for styes:

  1. Apply clean, warm compress to closed eye
  2. Hold for 10-15 minutes
  3. Repeat 4-6 times daily
  4. Warmth increases blood flow and encourages drainage
  5. Do not squeeze or pop the stye

Most styes drain on their own within a week.

Additional Home Care

  • Keep eyelids clean
  • Gentle lid hygiene
  • Avoid eye makeup until resolved
  • Don't wear contact lenses until healed
  • Don't share towels or pillowcases

When to Add Antibiotics

Topical antibiotics (ointment) may be prescribed if:

  • Not improving with warm compresses
  • Spreading infection
  • Recurrent styes

Oral antibiotics may be needed for:

  • Preseptal cellulitis (infection spreading to surrounding lid)
  • Recurrent or multiple styes
  • Immunocompromised patients

Surgical Drainage

If a stye:

  • Doesn't drain on its own
  • Persists more than 2 weeks
  • Becomes very large

A doctor can make a small incision to drain it (incision and drainage).

When to See a Doctor

Complications

Common

Chalazion Formation

  • Stye resolves but leaves a firm, painless bump
  • Infection gone but blocked material remains
  • May need additional treatment (see chalazion)

Uncommon

Preseptal Cellulitis

  • Infection spreads to eyelid tissue
  • Lid becomes very swollen and red
  • Needs oral antibiotics
  • Usually responds well to treatment

Rare

Orbital Cellulitis

  • Serious infection behind the eye
  • Pain with eye movement
  • Vision changes
  • Requires hospital admission and IV antibiotics

Prevention

Daily Habits

  • Good hand hygiene
  • Avoid touching eyes
  • Clean eyelids regularly
  • Remove makeup before bed
  • Replace eye makeup every 3-6 months
  • Don't share eye makeup or tools

If You're Prone to Styes

Contact Lens Hygiene

  • Wash hands before handling lenses
  • Clean and replace lenses as directed
  • Don't sleep in lenses unless approved
  • Replace lens case regularly

Stye vs. Other Eyelid Bumps

Condition Pain Onset Location Treatment
Stye Painful Rapid Lid margin Warm compresses
Chalazion Usually painless Gradual Mid-lid Warm compresses, surgery
Xanthelasma Painless Gradual Inner corner Cosmetic removal
Papilloma Painless Gradual Anywhere Removal if desired

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pop a stye?

No. Never squeeze or pop a stye. This can spread the infection deeper into the eyelid or to surrounding tissue. Let it drain naturally with warm compress treatment.

Is a stye contagious?

The bacteria causing styes (usually Staph) can spread, but styes themselves don't spread like pink eye. However, don't share towels, pillows, or eye makeup to be safe.

Can I wear contact lenses with a stye?

Avoid wearing contact lenses until the stye has completely healed. Lenses can irritate the area and may become contaminated.

How long does a stye last?

Most styes resolve within 7-10 days with proper treatment. Some may last up to 2 weeks. If it persists longer, see a doctor.

Why do I keep getting styes?

Recurrent styes often indicate underlying blepharitis or MGD. Treating these conditions with regular lid hygiene and warm compresses can prevent recurrence.

Should I throw away my eye makeup?

Discard any eye makeup (mascara, eyeliner) that was used just before or during the stye. These products can harbor bacteria and cause reinfection.

Will a stye leave a scar?

Most styes heal without scarring. If surgically drained, the incision is usually on the inside of the lid and doesn't leave a visible scar.

References

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