How Long Does a Stye Last? Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Insights
Understand the timeline, symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatment strategies for styes, plus prevention tips and expert advice on when to seek medical care.
A stye, also known as a hordeolum, is a common and often uncomfortable eye condition. Styes typically resolve within several days, but they can persist for a week or longer in some cases. Understanding the symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatment options can help you manage this condition effectively and reduce your risk of future recurrences.
What Is a Stye?
A stye is a small, red, and painful bump that appears near the edge of the eyelid. This bump usually resembles a pimple or boil and can develop on either your upper or lower eyelid. Styes form when the oil glands located at the base of your eyelashes become infected or blocked. They can occur on either the inner or outer eyelid—most commonly on the outside, but sometimes on the inside as well.
- Typical duration: 2–5 days, but may last up to a week or more in some cases.
- Medical terminology: Also called hordeolum.
- Occurrence: May affect one or both eyes simultaneously.
Symptoms of a Stye
The appearance and associated discomfort of a stye make it easy to recognize. Styes are generally not severe but can be bothersome. Common symptoms include:
- Small, red bump at the lash line (resembles a pimple)
- Eyelid redness and swelling
- Pain or tenderness in the affected area
- Soreness or scratchiness of the eye
- Watery or tearing eye
- Crusting or oozing along the eyelashes
- Sensitivity to bright light
- Pus or discharge from the bump
- Blurry vision if swelling is significant
The area may also feel sore upon blinking or touching, and in severe cases, the entire eyelid may become swollen.
What Causes a Stye?
Styes occur when the small oil glands (meibomian or zeis glands) at the base of the eyelash follicles become blocked and infected, most commonly by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Blockages can occur due to a buildup of dead skin, oils, or makeup residue, creating an environment where bacteria can thrive.
- Bacterial infection: Typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus
- Clogged glands or follicles: Debris, excess oil, or dead skin can block the glands
- Makeup residues: Failing to remove eye makeup can contribute to blockages
- Touching or rubbing the eyes: Introduces bacteria and irritates eyelid margins
Risk Factors for Developing Styes
While styes can affect anyone, there are certain factors that can increase your risk. These include:
- History of previous styes or eyelid infections
- Poor eyelid hygiene or not removing makeup properly
- Touching or rubbing your eyes with unwashed hands
- Underlying skin conditions (e.g., blepharitis, rosacea)
- Use of expired or contaminated eye products
- Medical conditions such as diabetes
- Chronic conditions affecting oil gland function (meibomian gland dysfunction)
What others are reading
How Long Does a Stye Last?
Most styes resolve on their own without medical intervention. The typical duration for a stye is:
| Stage | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Early development | 1–2 days | Redness and tenderness emerge near base of lashes |
| Progression | 2–5 days | Bump becomes more visible; pain/swelling peaks |
| Drainage/healing | 5–7 days | Pus drains naturally; swelling and pain subside |
| Full resolution | 1–2 weeks | Most styes disappear completely; residual swelling fades |
Styes are usually self-limiting. If a stye persists or worsens after a week, medical evaluation may be needed, as some styes last longer or can recur, especially in those with predisposing conditions.
At-Home Care and Treatment for Styes
For most styes, at-home treatment is effective and can help speed up healing. The primary goal is to relieve discomfort and encourage the stye to drain and heal naturally. Recommended care strategies include:
- Warm compresses: Apply a clean, warm, moist washcloth to the affected eyelid for 10–15 minutes at a time, 3–5 times per day.
- Gentle cleansing: Wash your eyelids carefully with mild soap and water or a diluted baby shampoo solution.
- Avoid makeup and contact lenses: Do not wear eye makeup or contacts until the stye resolves to reduce irritation and prevent further infection.
- Do not squeeze or pop: Popping a stye can spread infection and delay healing.
- Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce discomfort if needed.
When to See a Doctor
Contact an eye care provider if:
- The stye does not improve or gets worse after 48 hours of home treatment
- The swelling becomes severe, covers most of the eyelid, or interferes with vision
- There is significant pain, spreading redness, or pus that does not drain
- You have recurring styes; this may point to underlying conditions such as blepharitis, rosacea, or meibomian gland dysfunction
- Vision becomes blurry or you experience other concerning symptoms
If necessary, your doctor may prescribe topical or oral antibiotics, recommend incision and drainage for large or persistent styes, or investigate for other eyelid conditions.
Potential Risks and Complications
Most styes heal without complications, but untreated or improperly managed styes can rarely lead to secondary issues:
- Chalazion: A chronic, noninfectious lump that may form if a stye does not drain and heal properly.
- Secondary infection: Spread of infection to the surrounding eyelid (preseptal cellulitis) or, rarely, the orbit (orbital cellulitis), requiring urgent medical care.
- Cosmetic concerns: Chronic or recurrent styes may result in minor scarring or eyelid distortion in rare cases.
Prevention: How to Reduce Your Risk of Styes
While you cannot always prevent styes entirely, practicing good eyelid hygiene and general eye care can help reduce your risk:
- Wash hands frequently and avoid touching or rubbing your eyes
- Remove makeup thoroughly every night and regularly clean makeup brushes/applicators
- Avoid sharing eye cosmetics, towels, or washcloths
- Replace eye makeup every 3–6 months to limit bacterial contamination
- Manage underlying conditions such as blepharitis or rosacea with guidance from a healthcare provider
- Use lubricating eye drops if your eyelids are frequently dry or irritated
Key Takeaways
- Styes are common: Anyone can develop a stye, but good hygiene helps reduce risk.
- Self-limiting: Most styes heal on their own within 1–2 weeks. At-home care can speed up relief.
- Not contagious: Styes themselves are not spread person to person, but infection can spread within the same eye or to the other eye via contaminated towels or cosmetics.
- Do not pop: Trying to squeeze a stye can worsen the infection and delay healing.
- Seek medical care: If symptoms do not improve, worsen, or are recurrent, medical evaluation is important.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does a stye usually last?
Most styes resolve within 2–5 days, though some can last up to a week or slightly longer. Persistent styes may require medical intervention.
Are styes contagious?
Styes themselves are not contagious between people, but bacteria from the infected eyelid can be spread to your other eye or other individuals by sharing personal items like towels or eye makeup.
Can stress cause a stye?
There is no definitive scientific proof that stress directly causes styes, though some eye doctors suggest a possible connection between stress and increased occurrence.
What happens if I pop a stye?
You should not pop a stye. Squeezing or attempting to drain it by force can spread infection, lead to complications, and delay healing.
Can a stye cause headaches or affect vision?
A stye typically does not cause headaches. It can sometimes temporarily blur vision if the swelling is significant, but does not generally affect eyesight.
Why do I keep getting styes?
Frequent styes may be linked to chronic conditions such as blepharitis or rosacea. Recurrence may also be due to hygiene habits or using contaminated eye products. Consult a healthcare provider if styes occur often.
Is it safe to wear makeup or contact lenses with a stye?
Avoid using eye makeup and contact lenses until the stye has fully healed to prevent further irritation or infection.
When should I see a doctor about a stye?
See your doctor if the stye doesn’t improve within 2–3 days, becomes very painful or large, affects your vision, or if styes are frequently recurring.
Sources and Review Process
This article is based on high-quality, evidence-based medical sources and has been reviewed by qualified healthcare professionals for medical accuracy and clarity.
- Peer-reviewed journals and authoritative clinical references (such as StatPearls and Cleveland Clinic)
- Guidance from eye health associations and expert commentary
- Medical review by ophthalmologists and healthcare experts
Always consult an eye care professional for personalized medical advice or diagnosis tailored to your needs.
References
- https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/how-long-does-a-stye-last
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459349/
- https://www.ocutears.co.uk/what-causes-a-stye-and-how-to-treat-them/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17658-stye
- https://www.healthline.com/health/stye
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313668
- https://www.news-medical.net/health/How-to-Treat-a-Stye.aspx
- https://www.britannica.com/science/sty
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