Early symptoms of an eye stye can include pain and tenderness on the eyelid, near the eyelashes. A bacterial infection can then cause the lump to fill with pus, which may appear yellow. Early treatment can help prevent the stye from worsening.
Home remedies can help manage a stye as it develops. A person can also take steps to prevent a stye from developing.
Read on to learn more about how to recognize the early symptoms of a stye, and how to treat it with home remedies. This article also looks at preventive tips.
A stye
The stye will be tender and very painful to the touch. A person may also feel like they have something in their eye.
As pus from a bacterial infection can build up, the bump may begin to appear yellow.
A stye will typically resolve on its own within around 1 week. However, beginning treatment as soon as a stye begins can help encourage healing and prevent it from worsening.
Home remedies that can help the stye heal include:
- gently holding a warm compress against the area for 5 to 10 minutes, 2 to 4 times per day
- taking over-the-counter pain relief medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- avoiding wearing eye makeup or contact lenses
- regularly washing the hands and avoiding touching the stye
Learn more about treating a stye.
Medical treatments
If the stye does not resolve with home remedies, a doctor may recommend medical treatments. These can include:
- steroid injection to manage swelling
- surgery to drain the stye, though this is rare
- antibiotics to address any infection
Steps that can help prevent a stye include:
- washing the hands regularly, particularly before putting in contact lenses
- avoiding touching the eye to prevent the spread of bacteria
- removing makeup before going to bed
- replacing eye makeup every 6 months or sooner
Treating conditions or managing factors that can increase the likelihood of a stye can also help prevent them from developing.
Risk factors for a stye can include:
- blepharitis
- rosacea
- hormonal acne
- seborrheic dermatitis
- diabetes and other conditions affecting the immune system
- stress
- not getting enough sleep
It is important to contact a doctor if a stye does not resolve with home remedies within around 1 to 2 weeks. They should also seek medical advice if the stye keeps coming back.
The doctor can
When a stye first forms, a person may notice some redness or discoloration on the eyelid, usually near the eyelashes. The area can be tender and painful.
As the pus from the bacterial infection builds up inside the stye, a person may then notice yellowing.
Treating a stye as soon as it begins can help it to heal faster. Home remedies for a stye include gently applying a warm compress, taking pain relief medication, and avoiding touching the area.
Steps that can help prevent a stye include washing the hands regularly, regularly replacing eye makeup, and managing conditions that may increase the likelihood of a stye developing.