Diagnosis and treatment

Treatment for stye

The majority of styes will heal on their own in a few days or weeks, with some bursting to release pus within three or four days after developing. It is important that you never attempt to burst a stye yourself, as this can cause the infection to spread to other areas.

There are recommended home remedies for a stye which can encourage the stye to drain naturally and heal faster. These include soaking a clean compress in warm water and holding it against the eye for between 5-10 minutes multiple times a day. You should also wash your hands regularly, avoid wearing contacts and stop applying makeup to the affected area until it has healed in order to avoid spreading the infection and causing further irritation of the eye. Over the counter painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, can be taken to help relieve any pain.

When to seek further treatment

You shouldn’t require further stye treatment unless your stye is very swollen and painful, is not getting better within a few weeks time, is affecting your vision, or if the infection appears to be spreading. A stye inside the eyelid (internal hordeolum) can also be more serious and may require surgical treatment.

Your GP will be able to advise on how to get rid of a stye. They may administer antibiotics for your eye stye treatment, or drain it using a sterilised needle or by removing the eyelash to encourage the stye to discharge. Alternatively, they may refer you to a specialist ophthalmologist.