You wake up, look in the mirror, and there it is - a tiny, red, painful bump staring back at you from your eyelid. At first, you think, Maybe I just rubbed my eye too hard last night. But as the day goes on, it starts to swell, itch, and make your eye feel like it’s been punched (even though it hasn’t).
This is known as stye, which is a common condition in children and adults. This can happen in your upper or lower eyelid, which causes pain in your eye.
A stye is one of those things that feels bigger than it looks and makes your eye look like it’s going through a rough patch. A stye is a common thing that can last for 4 to 7 days as a condition.
Here, this blog discusses what causes a stye, how long it lasts, how to heal fast, when to see a doctor, and its treatments.
Let’s break it all down so you can say goodbye eye’s uninvited guest ASAP!
What Is a Stye?
A stye (hordeolum) is basically a tiny red, infected bump on your eyelid. It happens when an oil gland or hair follicle gets blocked and infected with bacteria (usually Staphylococcus, the same bacteria that cause skin infections). The medical term for a stye is “hordeolum.”
The stye can happen in one eye and both eyes. This is similar to another type of eyelid bump called a chalazion.
Types of Styes
There are two main types of styes:
Internal Stye: Forms inside the eyelid, affecting the oil glands. These are less visible but more painful because they push against the eye.
External Stye: This happens in the outer part of your eyelid due to the infection in your eyelash follicle. This can grow on your upper or lower eyelid.
Styes don’t last forever and usually go away on their own. You just need a little patience (and maybe some warm compresses).
How Long Does a Stye Last?
The Typical Timeline
On average, a stye lasts 3 to 7 days. In some cases, it can stick around for up to 2 weeks—but that’s pretty rare.
Here’s what you can expect:
Day 1-2: Your eyelid feels tender and sore, and a small red bump starts to appear. Hordeola is commonly known form at the base of the eyelash.
Day 3-4: The stye gets more swollen, may fill with pus (gross, but normal), and might feel a bit warm to the touch. But keep in mind, avoid squeezing and popping a stye.
Day 5-7: The swelling starts going down, and the stye drains on its own (again, gross but satisfying).
After a week: Your eye is back to normal, with just a little leftover redness.
If your stye sticks around for more than 2 weeks, it’s time to call a doctor!
What Causes a Stye?
Styes are usually triggered by bacterial infection, gland blockage, or unclean habits around the eyes. Here’s why you might get one:
Bacteria Got In
Most styes are caused by Staphylococcus bacteria, which live on your skin. When these bacteria get into an oil gland, your eyelid freaks out and forms a stye.
Touching Your Eyes Too Much
Rubbing your eyes with dirty hands
Using old makeup or unwashed makeup brushes
Wearing contact lenses without washing your hands first
Lesson? Your hands touch everything—keep them away from your eyes unless they’re clean!
Blocked Oil Glands
Your eyelids have tiny oil glands that keep your eyes moist and comfortable. But if they get clogged with dead skin or oil, a stye can form.
Oily skin = higher risk
Not washing your face before bed = trouble
Stress & Lack of Sleep
Your immune system is constantly fighting off bacteria. But having stress can slow down their fighting capabilities. This gives bacteria the perfect opportunity to take over those blocked oil glands in your eyelid, and boom.
How to Make a Stye Heal Faster
While a stye will eventually go away on its own, you can speed up the healing process with these simple remedies:
Use a Warm Compress
A warm compress is your best friend when it comes to styes. The heat opens up the blocked gland and helps the stye drain naturally.
Soak a clean washcloth in warm water.
Hold it over your eye for 10-15 minutes.
Repeat 3-4 times a day.
Tip: Don’t squeeze it! Let it drain on its own.
Keep Your Eyes Clean
Maintain proper hygiene to keep your eyes clean and avoid getting infected from stye.
Wash your hands before touching your eyes.
Clean your eyelid with mild baby shampoo & water.
Avoid wearing eye makeup until the stye heals.
Let the Stye Drain on Its Own No Popping!
Styes are not pimples—do NOT pop them! Squeezing a stye can spread bacteria and make things worse.
Be patient with your body's natural healing process. Most styes will drain on their own within a few days without any help from you.
Avoid Contact Lenses & Makeup
Switch to glasses until your stye heals. Contact lenses can irritate the already sensitive area and potentially trap bacteria against your eye
Avoid eye makeup, as it can spread bacteria.
Once your stye is gone, replace old makeup and clean your brushes to prevent another one!
Antibiotics
Topical antibiotics can prevent the infection from spreading to other areas, but they can’t treat your eyes.
Oral antibiotics are a more effective way to clear up the infection. But the healing time will be the same whether you take antibiotics or not.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Most styes heal on their own, but sometimes, medical help is needed. See your doctor or healthcare provider if the stye doesn't go away or start getting smaller after 3 - 4 days. Sometimes what looks like a stye might be a different eye condition that needs proper medical treatment.
When your eyelid becomes very swollen, red, or painful beyond what you'd expect from a typical stye, don't tough it out.
Blurry vision is another red flag that requires immediate medical care.
If your styes keep coming back, then this underlying issue needs to be addressed
Doctors have treatment options like antibiotics to fight the infection more aggressively, or they can safely drain a large stye if it's not healing on its own.
How to Prevent Styes in the Future
There are multiple prevention techniques to keep in mind for better eye health.
Wash your hands to prevent styes. Your hands pick up bacteria throughout the day, and when you touch or rub your eyes, you transfer those germs directly to the delicate eyelid area, which can create styes.
Remove your makeup properly before going to bed. You should spend just two more minutes to properly cleanse away your mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow before sleeping.
Dirty contact lenses are breeding grounds for bacteria that can easily spread to your eyelids.
Make sure to use fresh towels, washed clothes, and a pillowcase to stay away from bacteria.
When you are stressed out or sleep-deprived, your immune system can't fight off bacteria as effectively.
You should maintain proper hygiene to avoid any further issues, not only eyes butthe whole body.
Fun Myths & Superstitions About Styes
India & China: Some believe getting a stye means you spied on someone you shouldn’t have! (Oops.)
Africa: Some people think rubbing a gold ring on a stye will make it go away. (Spoiler: It won’t.)
Hawaii: A stye means someone is talking about you behind your back!
Of course, science says styes are caused by bacteria, but these myths are fun to know!
Final Thoughts: How Long Until a Stye Goes Away?
Styes are a common condition that may heal within 3 -7 days. These tiny, red, and painful bumps do not require any medical treatment. But there are a few prevention methods to follow when you get styes. For example, warm compresses, antibiotics, and maintaining proper hygiene.
Some styes can stick around for up to 2 weeks, but this is relatively rare. You may seek professional advice if your Stye is longer than 2 weeks. With good hygiene habits and a little patience, you'll be stye-free in no time!