1. Use a warm compress
A warm compress is the most effective way to treat a stye. The heat helps the pus to rise to the surface and dissolves it along with the oil so the stye can drain naturally.
Wet a clean cloth with lukewarm water. Make sure the water is not too hot. Wring out the fabric so it is damp but not dripping. Then gently place it on the eye for about 5-10 minutes. Do not squeeze or try to puncture the stye.
You can do this 3-4 times a day.
2. Clean your eyelid with mild soap and water
Choose a baby shampoo that does not burn the eyes and mix it with a little warm water. Use it to gently clean your eyelids with a cotton swab or clean cloth. You can do this every day until the stye is gone. Cleaning your eyelids also helps prevent them from appearing in the future.
Another option is to use a saline solution. It can help promote drainage and destroy bacterial membranes.
3. Use a hot tea bag
Instead of using a compress, you can use a hot tea bag. Black tea works best because it helps reduce swelling and has some antibacterial properties.
Boil water and drop the bag into a cup as if you were making tea to drink. Let it sit for about a minute. Wait until it cools enough to place it over your eye, then place it on the area for about 5 to 10 minutes. Use a different tea bag for each eye.
4. Take over-the-counter pain relievers
Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain relief. Follow the directions on the package to make sure you are taking the proper dosage. If the stye is causing severe pain and is interfering with your daily activity, visit your doctor.
5. Avoid wearing makeup and contact lenses
Avoid wearing makeup if you have a stye, as it can further irritate your eyes and slow down the healing process. It can also transfer bacteria to your makeup and utensils, as well as spread the infection to the other eye.
Wash your reusable brushes regularly. Throw away all eye products that are more than three months old.
If you wear contact lenses, wear glasses until your stye heals. Bacteria can get on contact lenses and spread the infection.
6. Use antibiotic ointments
You can buy over-the-counter stye ointments at your pharmacy. To use them, pull on the eyelid of the affected eye and apply a few drops of ointment inside the eyelid.
Avoid using topical steroids for your stye. They can cause side effects. Make sure any product you use is formulated to be used in or on the eye. Also, there is little evidence that antibiotic eye drops work for external styes.
7. Massage the area to promote drainage
You can massage the area in combination with the eyelid wipes to promote drainage. Gently massage the area with clean hands. Once the stye drains, keep the area clean and avoid touching your eyes. Stop if you feel pain when massaging.
8. Get medical treatment
Your doctor may also prescribe an antibiotic cream for infections. For inflammation, your doctor may give you a steroid injection to reduce swelling. Sometimes styes need professional drainage, especially if they are internal or affect your vision.
Can a stye pop?
Don't pop, squeeze, or touch a stye. It may seem tempting, but squeezing it will release pus and can spread the infection. See a doctor if the stye is on the inside of your eyelid. Your doctor can drain the stye in consultation.
