Stye

A stye is a small, painful bump that appears on your eyelid. It looks a bit like a spot or pimple, but it's on or around your eye. Styes are very common and usually nothing to worry about.

What does a stye look like?

A stye appears as a small lump on your eyelid that can be quite sore. The area around it might look red and swollen. Sometimes the stye fills with yellow pus, just like a spot might.

Your eye might feel watery and look red, but a stye shouldn't affect how well you can see. Usually, only one eye is affected, though it's possible to get styes in both eyes or more than one stye at the same time.

Is it definitely a stye?

It might not be a stye if:

• There's no actual lump, but your eyelid is just red and swollen
• The lump is hard but doesn't hurt much

These symptoms could mean you have a different eye condition. If you're not sure what's causing your symptoms, it's worth speaking to your GP.

How can I treat a stye at home?

The good news is that most styes get better on their own within about a week. Here's what you can do to help it heal:

Use warm compresses: Soak a clean flannel or cloth in warm water. Hold it gently against your closed eye for 5 to 10 minutes. Do this 2 to 4 times each day. This helps reduce swelling and can help the stye heal faster.

Take painkillers: If the stye is painful, you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen following the instructions on the packet. Don't give aspirin to children under 16 years old.

Avoid eye makeup and contact lenses: Don't wear contact lenses or eye makeup until the stye has completely healed. This helps prevent further irritation.

Important things NOT to do

Never try to burst or squeeze a stye yourself. This might seem tempting, especially if it looks like it's ready to pop, but don't do it. Squeezing can spread the infection and make things worse.

Also, don't try to pull out any eyelashes near the stye. Leave it alone and let it heal naturally.

When should I see my GP?

Most styes get better by themselves, but you should speak to your GP if:

• The stye hasn't improved after a few weeks
• It keeps coming back

When is it urgent?

Get urgent help from your GP or call NHS 111 if:

• The stye is very painful or very swollen
• It's affecting your vision
• Your eye is producing lots of pus
• The infection seems to be spreading to other parts of your eye or eyelid

These could be signs that you need medical treatment straight away.

How can I prevent styes?

You can lower your chances of getting styes by keeping your eyes clean:

• Wash your face and remove eye makeup before bed
• Keep your eyelids and eyelashes clean
• Wash your hands before touching your eyes or handling contact lenses
• Don't share towels or flannels with someone who has a stye
• Avoid rubbing your eyes with unwashed hands

Remember, styes are usually harmless and will get better on their own with some simple home care.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.