Stye: What Helps and What You Should Know

A stye is a small, often pressure-sensitive swelling on the eyelid margin, mostly caused by a bacterial inflammation of an eyelid gland. In many cases it recedes on its own within a few days. Dry warmth, careful eyelid hygiene and consistently avoiding rubbing or squeezing are among the measures most frequently recommended in everyday life. When a stye is harmless, when you should seek medical advice and what role hygiene and nutrition play, you can read in this overview.

What lies behind a stye?

A stye (technically hordeolum) is an acute, purulent inflammation of the glands on the eyelid margin. Two forms are distinguished: with the external stye the glands at the roots of the eyelashes are affected, with the internal stye the Meibomian glands on the inside of the eyelid. The inflammation is typically triggered by bacteria that naturally occur on the skin, above all staphylococci.

Typical signs are a reddened, swollen and often painful spot on the eyelid margin, sometimes with a visible yellowish point of pus. The eye may water, feel irritated or react sensitively to light. Usually only one eyelid is affected. A stye is indeed unpleasant, but as a rule is considered harmless and often heals without major intervention.

A stye should be distinguished from the so-called chalazion. This is a chronic, mostly painless blockage of a Meibomian gland that can be felt as a firm nodule in the eyelid and can develop over weeks. A stye, by contrast, is typically acute, reddened and pressure-sensitive. Because both changes occur on the eyelid margin and are easily confused in everyday life, a professional classification is helpful when in doubt. Styes are favoured, among other things, by frequent rubbing of the eyes, unclean contact lenses, old eye make-up or an existing eyelid margin inflammation, in which the glands on the eyelid margin are already irritated.

When you should seek medical advice

In most cases a stye recedes on its own within a few days up to one or two weeks. However, there are situations in which you should consult an ophthalmologist: if the swelling does not improve or worsens after several days, if the entire eyelid swells strongly, if visual disturbances, fever or severe pain occur, or if styes keep recurring.

A medical assessment is also sensible when there is uncertainty about the cause, in children, or if the redness spreads to the cheek or the surroundings of the eye. Specialists can distinguish a stye from other eyelid changes such as a chalazion and treat it in a targeted way if needed. This article does not replace a medical diagnosis; for persistent or unclear complaints of the eye, always speak with medical professionals.

What is considered helpful in everyday life

The most frequently mentioned measure is dry warmth. A warm, clean compress or a special warming pad available at the pharmacy, placed on the closed eyelid for a few minutes several times a day, can be perceived as pleasant and is intended to support the drainage of the secretion. Make sure the heat source is clean and not too hot.

Very important: you should never squeeze or pierce a stye yourself. This can spread bacteria and worsen the inflammation. Also avoid rubbing the eye. During a stye it is advisable to do without contact lenses and eye make-up until everything has subsided. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after each touch of the eye.

Cool compresses are occasionally perceived as pleasant when the eyelid is strongly swollen; with a stye, however, dry warmth is usually in the foreground. Under no circumstances should you apply antibiotic ointments or drops from the home medicine cabinet on your own authority without the cause being clarified. Whether such a preparation is sensible is decided by medical professionals. Above all, give the body time: many styes open on their own, empty and then heal without consequences. Patience and restraint are often the most effective strategy here.

Eyelid hygiene as a basis

Careful eyelid margin hygiene is considered an important foundation, especially when styes occur more often. This includes gently cleaning the eyelid margins, for example with cleaning wipes or solutions intended for this purpose from the pharmacy. Anyone prone to blocked eyelid glands is often recommended regular eyelid care.

Attention is also worthwhile in your surroundings: change towels and pillowcases regularly, keep cosmetic brushes clean and sort out old, opened eye make-up in good time. Do not share towels, cosmetics or contact lenses with others. These hygiene measures aim to keep the bacterial load on the eyelid margin low.

Anyone who wears contact lenses should pause during a stye and only reach for lenses again after complete subsidence. Daily lenses are then a good option, because they are used fresh each day. With recurring styes it can also be sensible to critically review your own cleaning routine: are hands washed before inserting the lenses? Is the make-up still fresh? Are brushes and sponges cleaned regularly? Small adjustments in everyday life can help reduce the frequency without a special product being necessary.

Nutrition and general well-being

A direct nutritional cause for styes is not proven. Nevertheless, a balanced, varied diet plays a role for general resilience. Plenty of vegetables, fruit, wholegrain products, high-quality fats and sufficient fluid form the basis of a healthy diet as recommended by professional societies.

Sufficient sleep, exercise in the fresh air and a moderate approach to stress are generally associated with stable well-being. These factors are not a targeted measure against a stye, but they belong to a healthy lifestyle that supports the immune system in everyday life.

Nutrients for the immune system

Certain nutrients are important for the immune system. According to the statements authorised in the EU, vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system. Vitamin D also contributes to the normal function of the immune system, as does zinc, which additionally contributes to the maintenance of normal vision. Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal vision and normal mucous membranes.

These statements refer to general body functions and not to the treatment of a stye. A balanced diet usually provides these nutrients in sufficient quantity. Traditionally used plants such as chamomile or eyebright are often mentioned in connection with eye care; compresses or rinses with self-prepared extracts directly on the eye, however, are viewed critically by many professional bodies, as they can introduce additional germs.

Honestly considered

A stye is usually a self-limiting, harmless event. No home measure can guarantee to speed up the body's own healing, and much simply heals with patience. The greatest benefit lies in leaving the eye alone, ensuring cleanliness and doing nothing that could worsen the inflammation. Warmth can accompany the complaints in a soothing way, but does not replace a medical assessment when it becomes necessary.

Anyone who repeatedly has to deal with styes should have possible backgrounds such as a chronic eyelid margin inflammation assessed by a doctor. In this way it is possible to address the issue in a more targeted way than individual home remedies could.

The emotional aspect also plays a role: a stye is visible and can be perceived as bothersome. Nevertheless, it is worth resisting the impulse to constantly manipulate the eye or to conceal the stye with powder and make-up. Both can worsen the situation. Rest, cleanliness and patience are the best companions until the swelling subsides on its own. If you are unsure whether it really is a stye, or if the symptoms take an unusual course, going to an ophthalmology practice is always the safest choice.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How long does a stye last?

As a rule, a stye recedes on its own within a few days up to one or two weeks. If it does not improve after several days or worsens, a medical assessment is sensible.

May I squeeze a stye?

No. A stye should never be squeezed or pierced yourself, as this can spread bacteria and worsen the inflammation. Leave the spot alone and touch the eye only with clean hands.

Is a stye contagious?

The triggering bacteria naturally occur on the skin. They can be transmitted via shared towels or cosmetics. That is why you should not share towels, make-up and contact lenses with others and should pay attention to good hand hygiene.

Does warmth help with a stye?

Dry warmth via a clean compress or a warming pad is often perceived as pleasant and is intended to support the drainage of secretion. Make sure the heat source is clean and not too hot.

When should I go to the doctor with a stye?

Seek medical advice if the swelling does not improve or worsens, if the whole eyelid swells, if visual disturbances, fever or severe pain occur, or if styes keep recurring.