What Is a Stye? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

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

A stye (medically, a hordeolum) is a red, tender bump that forms on the edge of the eyelid when one of the eyelid’s oil glands becomes blocked and infected. Styes are extremely common, usually harmless, and often clear on their own — but if yours is very painful, isn’t improving, or keeps coming back, there’s usually an underlying eyelid gland problem worth treating. This page is part of our stye & chalazion treatment guide.

What Does a Stye Look Like?

A stye usually appears as a small, red, painful lump near the lash line, sometimes with a tiny yellow or white head like a pimple. The eyelid may be swollen, tender, and watery, and the eye can feel gritty or sensitive to light. There are two types:

• External hordeolum — forms at the base of an eyelash and is the most common.
• Internal hordeolum — forms deeper inside the eyelid from a blocked Meibomian (oil) gland. These can be more painful and sometimes leave behind a chalazion.

What Causes a Stye?

Styes happen when an eyelid gland gets clogged and ordinary skin bacteria multiply. You’re more likely to get one if you have:

• Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) — poorly draining oil glands
• Blepharitis or Demodex mites — chronic lid-margin inflammation
• Ocular rosacea
• Leftover eye makeup, rubbing the eyes, or poor contact lens hygiene

These same conditions are why some people get styes over and over — see why you keep getting styes.

How to Treat a Stye

Most styes respond to a few days of consistent care at home:

• Warm compresses, 5–10 minutes, 3–4 times a day, to soften the blockage and help it drain.
• Keep the lids clean and skip eye makeup and contacts until it clears.
• Don’t squeeze or pop it — that can spread the infection.

For the full routine, see how to get rid of a stye. If a stye lasts more than a week or two, keeps returning, or affects your vision, see a specialist. In the office, Dr. Kresch can drain a stubborn stye and treat the underlying gland dysfunction with IPL and radiofrequency so it’s far less likely to return.

Stye or Chalazion?

If your bump is firm and painless rather than red and tender, it may be a chalazion instead. Here’s how to tell a stye from a chalazion.

Treat Your Stye in Southfield, MI

Dr. Shira Kresch treats styes and the eyelid conditions behind them 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

What is a stye? A stye (hordeolum) is a red, tender bump on the edge of the eyelid caused by a blocked, infected oil gland. It’s very common and usually harmless, though it can be painful.

What causes a stye? Styes form when an eyelid oil gland becomes clogged and bacteria multiply. Blepharitis, Meibomian gland dysfunction, Demodex mites, ocular rosacea, and leftover eye makeup all raise the risk.

How do you get rid of a stye? Most styes improve with warm compresses several times a day and keeping the eyelids clean. Don’t squeeze it. If it lasts more than a week or two or keeps coming back, see an eye doctor to drain it and treat the underlying cause.

Is a stye contagious? The stye itself isn’t contagious, but the bacteria involved can spread. Wash your hands, don’t share towels or eye makeup, and avoid rubbing the eye.