What to Do When You Have a Stye

This guide provides a clear, practical overview of "What to Do When You Have a Stye". It organizes the most useful details, explains important considerations, and highlights the steps or choices that matter most.

What to Do When You Have a Stye illustration

Styes and chalazions are both lumps that appear on or along the edge of your eyelid. Dr Valencia Foo, Associate Consultant in the Department of Cataract & Comprehensive Ophthalmology at Singapore National Eye Center (SNEC), a member of the SingHealth group, shares the differences between the two and home remedies to try to ease the discomfort.

Home remedies for styes and chalazia

Use warm compresses

A common home remedy for styes or chalazions is to use a warm compress. Simply soak a cotton pad in warm water and apply it to your eyelid for 10-15 minutes. Repeat this 3-5 more times a day. This will help soften the hardened oil that is blocking the glandular ducts, allowing it to drain.

Gently massage your eyes

Gently massaging your eyelids for a few minutes each day can help promote drainage. Make sure your fingers are clean before doing this to avoid infection.

Perform eyelid scrubbing

Dilute a few drops of baby shampoo with warm water and use a cotton swab to wipe away any crusting on the eyelids, especially around the base of the eyelashes, while keeping the eyes closed.

Temporarily stop using eye makeup and contact lenses

Do not wear eye makeup or contact lenses to avoid causing further discomfort or irritation. Contact lenses or eye makeup can easily become infected with bacteria from a stye.

Temporarily stop using eye makeup and contact lenses illustration

How to prevent styes and chalazions from recurring

The best way to prevent recurring styes or chalazions is to be observant and maintain good eye hygiene.
Do not rub your eyes if you have allergies.
Wash hands with soap and water before touching face and eyes
Remove dirt and makeup before going to bed
Throw away old makeup and replace mascara and eye shadow every 3 months to prevent bacteria growth. Don't share makeup with anyone.
Disinfect and clean lenses thoroughly with lens cleaning solution and wash hands before inserting contact lenses.
If you have recurring styes or chalazions, clean your eyelids regularly with an eyelid cleanser or mix a little baby shampoo with warm water.

If the above methods do not help with styes or chalazions, see a doctor for the fastest treatment.

How to prevent styes and chalazions from recurring illustration

Difference between stye and chalazion

�	Stye	Clavicle
Definition	A stye is a small, pimple-like lump that develops at the base of an eyelash or under the eyelid. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection.	A chalazion is a small lump or cyst that slowly forms on the eyelid when an oil gland becomes blocked.
Symptoms	Pain and swelling of your eyelids A small spot of pus in the center of the swelling Scaling along the edge of the eyelid Tears Sensitive to light	A painless bump or lump on the eyelid will go away on its own after a few weeks. Pain may be due to secondary infection or inflammation. Mild cracking and irritation of the eyelids Blurred vision, especially when the stye is large and obstructs your vision
Cause	Mainly due to poor hygiene: Touching eyes with dirty hands Do not disinfect contact lenses Use old and expired cosmetics.	Usually happens to the following groups of people: Chronic blepharitis Red acne Seborrheic dermatitis Meibomian gland dysfunction

FAQ

What should you know about use warm compresses?

What should you know about gently massage your eyes?

Gently massaging your eyelids for a few minutes each day can help promote drainage. Make sure your fingers are clean before doing this to avoid infection.

What should you know about perform eyelid scrubbing?

Dilute a few drops of baby shampoo with warm water and use a cotton swab to wipe away any crusting on the eyelids, especially around the base of the eyelashes, while keeping the eyes closed.

What should you know about temporarily stop using eye makeup and contact lenses?

Do not wear eye makeup or contact lenses to avoid causing further discomfort or irritation. Contact lenses or eye makeup can easily become infected with bacteria from a stye.