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©2007 Publications International, Ltd. To prevent future styes, ensure thorough removal of eye makeup and avoid sharing cosmetics with others.Though small and located at the base of an eyelash, a sty can be both painful and visually unappealing.
A sty forms when an infection blocks a gland at the eyelash root, leading to swelling, redness, and discomfort. Over time, it may develop pus and come to a head.
head as it fills with pus.
Medical professionals, including family doctors and ophthalmologists, recommend starting sty treatment at home and adopting preventive measures to avoid recurrence. Discover effective home remedies below.
Apply warm compresses. Heat boosts blood flow, drawing more infection-fighting white blood cells to the affected area. Soak a clean washcloth in warm water — as hot as you can handle without burning the delicate skin around your eyes. Place it on your eyelid for five-minute intervals. Reheat the cloth as needed to maintain warmth. Repeat this process two to three times daily.
Avoid squeezing, poking, or touching the sty. Doing so may spread the infection. Even if the sty has formed a head, refrain from popping it; allow it to drain naturally.
Avoid using eye makeup during a sty outbreak. Applying makeup risks contaminating your products and tools with bacteria.
Maintain proper eyelid hygiene. To prevent styes from recurring, cleanse the base of your lashes daily using diluted baby shampoo or mild soap on a cotton ball or washcloth. Alternatively, use Cetaphil, an over-the-counter cleanser that is gentle and non-drying.
Always remove eye makeup. After the sty heals and you resume wearing makeup, ensure you cleanse it off thoroughly every night. Avoid sleeping with makeup on, and wash your eyelids each morning before reapplying cosmetics.
Avoid sharing eye makeup or tools. Just as you wouldn’t share a toothbrush, using someone else’s eye makeup can spread infections, both to you and others.
For more information about styes and how to combat them, try the following links:
- Explore all our home remedies and the conditions they address on our main Home Remedies page.
- Preventing styes starts with understanding How to Care for your Eyes.
- Proper eyecare also involves learning about Home Remedies for Puffy Eyes.
- If you experience an eye bruise, refer to our 6 Tips for Treatment of a Black Eye.
David J. Hufford, Ph.D., is a university professor and head of the Medical Humanities Department at Pennsylvania State University's College of Medicine. He also teaches in the Neural and Behavioral Sciences and Family and Community Medicine departments. Dr. Hufford is an editorial board member for several journals, including Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine and Explore.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author, and the publisher are not responsible for any outcomes resulting from treatments, procedures, exercises, dietary changes, actions, or medications based on this information. This publication does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or making health-related decisions.
If a child’s eyelid remains swollen for over 24 hours, seek medical attention. Similarly, if an adult with a sty sees no improvement after using warm compresses for two to three days, consult a doctor.
Additionally, if you experience frequent styes or notice a persistent bump on your eyelid lasting weeks or months, visit your doctor. You might have a chalazion, which affects a different gland than a sty. Warm compresses are also the initial treatment for a chalazion. If it doesn’t resolve or becomes cosmetically bothersome, a doctor can drain it. However, never attempt to drain it yourself.
