How to Get Rid of a Stye: Treatment and Home Care

Medically reviewed by Dr. Y. Shira Kresch, OD, MS

Most styes clear on their own within a week or so with simple home care. Here’s exactly what to do — and what to avoid — plus when it’s time to see a doctor. This page is part of our stye & chalazion treatment guide.

How to Get Rid of a Stye at Home

1. Apply a warm compress — a clean, warm (not hot) washcloth held gently on the closed eyelid for 5–10 minutes, 3–4 times a day. The heat softens the blockage so the gland can drain. Re-warm the cloth as it cools; lukewarm won’t work.
2. Gently massage the lid after the compress to encourage drainage.
3. Keep the eyelids clean with a lid cleanser or diluted baby shampoo.
4. Skip eye makeup and contact lenses until it fully clears.
5. Don’t squeeze or pop it (see below).

How Long Does a Stye Last?

A typical stye lasts about one week, and most resolve within 7–10 days with warm compresses. If yours hasn’t improved after two weeks, keeps coming back, or is getting larger, it’s time to have it looked at — and if it’s a firm, painless lump that lingers, it may be a chalazion rather than a stye.

Can You Pop a Stye?

No — don’t pop or squeeze a stye. It can spread the infection deeper into the eyelid and make things worse. Let it drain on its own with the help of warm compresses. If it needs to be opened, an eye doctor can do it safely in the office.

How to Get Rid of a Stye Fast or Overnight

There’s no true “overnight” cure, and the viral home remedies (toothpaste, gold rings) don’t work and can irritate the eye. The fastest safe approach is frequent, properly warm compresses — and, for a stubborn or very painful stye, in-office drainage, which resolves it right away.

How to Prevent Styes

To keep styes from coming back: remove eye makeup nightly, replace mascara and eyeliner every few months, wash your hands before touching your eyes, keep contact lenses clean, and treat any underlying blepharitis or Meibomian gland dysfunction. If you keep getting styes, prevention means treating that underlying gland disease.

When to See a Doctor

See an eye doctor if a stye lasts more than two weeks, keeps returning, is very painful or growing, affects your vision, or if the redness and swelling spread across the eyelid or face. In the office, Dr. Kresch can drain a stubborn stye and treat the underlying cause with IPL and radiofrequency.

Stye Treatment in Southfield, MI

Dr. Shira Kresch treats stubborn and recurring styes at the 1-800-Dry-Eyes Specialty Vision Institute, serving Southfield and Metro Detroit.

Schedule an appointment → | Call 1-800-DRY-EYES →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get rid of a stye? Apply a warm compress to the closed eyelid for 5–10 minutes, 3–4 times a day, keep the lids clean, and avoid makeup and contacts. Don’t squeeze it. Most styes clear within a week; see a doctor if it lasts longer or keeps returning.

How long does a stye last? Most styes last about a week and resolve within 7–10 days with warm compresses. If yours lasts more than two weeks, have it evaluated.

Can you pop a stye? No. Popping or squeezing a stye can spread the infection. Use warm compresses to help it drain naturally, or see an eye doctor to have it drained safely.

How can I get rid of a stye overnight? There’s no reliable overnight cure. Frequent, properly warm compresses are the fastest safe option, and an in-office drainage can resolve a stubborn stye quickly.