Styes 101: Why They Happen and How to Treat Them Safely

Styes 101: Why They Happen and How to Treat Them Safely

If you have ever woken up with a painful, swollen bump on your eyelid, you are not alone. Styes are one of the most common eyelid complaints patients bring to their eye doctor and one of the most misunderstood.

While they often seem to appear out of nowhere, styes are almost always a sign of an underlying issue with the eyelid or its oil glands. In this blog, we take a clear and practical look at what a stye is, why they form, the role of eyelid hygiene, and how to treat and prevent them safely.

What is a stye?

A stye (also called a hordeolum) is a localized infection or inflammation of an eyelid gland. It usually appears as:

  • A red, tender bump on the eyelid

  • Local swelling

  • Soreness when blinking

  • Sensitivity to touch

Styes can form on the outside of the eyelid (external hordeolum) or inside the lid (internal hordeolum).

Many people confuse styes with chalazia. The two are related, but they are different:

  • Stye: acute, painful, usually caused by infection

  • Chalazion: a clogged oil gland that becomes firm and swollen, often less painful

Both conditions trace back to one core problem: oil gland dysfunction.

Why do styes happen?

Styes form when an eyelid gland becomes clogged and bacteria build up. Several common causes make them more likely:

1. Poor eyelid hygiene

Makeup residue, oils, dead skin, and environmental debris can block the tiny oil glands along the lash line. This creates the perfect environment for a stye to develop.

2. Blepharitis and eyelash mites (Demodex)

Chronic inflammation or Demodex overgrowth increases:

  • Flaking

  • Bacterial load

  • Collarettes at the lash base

All of these factors can lead to gland blockage.

3. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)

When the meibomian glands are clogged or slow, the oil becomes thick or stagnant. This increases the risk of both styes and chalazia.

4. Hormone changes and stress

Fluctuations from perimenopause, menopause, birth control, or thyroid disease can affect oil gland function and skin health.

5. Contact lens use

Touching the eyelids more often and decreased tear stability can raise bacterial exposure.

6. Rubbing the eyes

This transfers bacteria from hands to the lids and worsens inflammation.

7. Inadequate makeup removal

Sleeping in mascara or lash glue is one of the biggest contributors to eyelid blockage, especially for people who wear waterproof or long-wear eye makeup.

Symptoms to watch for

Styes typically cause:

  • Localized swelling

  • Tenderness

  • A small, raised bump

  • Watering or mild discharge

  • Crusting of the lash line

  • Increased light sensitivity

If swelling becomes severe or spreads beyond the eyelid, medical attention is necessary.

How to treat a stye safely

Most styes improve with consistent care at home, especially when patients avoid squeezing or trying to pop them. Evidence-based treatment includes:

1. Warm compresses

This is the most important step. Heat softens clogged oils and helps the gland drain naturally.

Tips for best results:

  • Use a proper eyelid warm compress mask, which stays warm longer than a washcloth. You can find a recommended mask in our shop here.

  • Heat for 10 minutes

  • Repeat 2 to 3 times daily

  • Stay consistent for 7 to 14 days

2. Daily eyelid cleansing

To remove bacteria, makeup residue, and mites:

  • Use a gentle eyelid cleanser twice daily for the best results. You can find a doctor-recommended option here.

  • Focus on the lash line

  • Stay consistent to prevent recurrence

Regular cleansers are made for skin, not eyelids. A true eyelid cleanser targets the lash line and oil glands where styes and irritation begin.

3. Avoid squeezing

Pinching or popping a stye can worsen infection and increase inflammation.

4. Temporary pause on eye makeup

Mascara, eyeliner, and lash glue can:

  • Introduce bacteria

  • Block glands further

  • Slow healing

Patients should discard eye products used shortly before the stye formed.

5. Lubricating eye drops

Dryness often worsens eyelid inflammation. Preservative-free lubricants can help soothe irritation.

6. Prescription treatment when needed

Patients should see an eye doctor if:

  • The stye lasts longer than 10 to 14 days

  • It becomes very large or painful

  • Vision changes occur

  • Swelling spreads across the entire eyelid

Doctors may prescribe:

  • Antibiotic ointment

  • Oral antibiotics for severe cases

  • Steroid drops for inflammation

  • In-office drainage if conservative measures fail

Prevention: The long-term solution

Since styes stem from clogged glands, prevention focuses on daily maintenance:

  • Clean eyelids every day

  • Use a warm compress daily

  • Remove eye makeup thoroughly

  • Replace mascara every 2 to 3 months

  • Avoid sleeping in makeup

  • Clean makeup brushes regularly

  • Practice good contact lens hygiene

  • Avoid rubbing your eyes

  • Support gland health with omega 3 supplements when appropriate

For chronic sufferers, untreated MGD or blepharitis is almost always part of the problem. Addressing these conditions dramatically reduces recurrence.

Why styes matter in the bigger picture of eye health

Styes are more than a cosmetic annoyance. They are one of the earliest signs of underlying issues such as:

  • Meibomian gland dysfunction

  • Eyelash mite overgrowth

  • Blepharitis

  • Hormone-related tear film imbalance

  • Poor makeup or hygiene habits

For women in perimenopause or menopause, or those with thyroid disease, recurring styes often signal changing gland function that needs attention.

Early treatment and daily eyelid hygiene are the most effective tools for preventing long-term issues.

Conclusion

Styes are common, painful, and frustrating, but they are also highly treatable and preventable. With consistent warm compresses, daily eyelid cleansing, and support for the oil glands, most people see meaningful improvement.

If styes keep coming back, it is a sign that your eyelid health needs more support. Managing MGD, blepharitis, hormones, and hygiene habits can make a significant difference and prevent future flare ups.

Every stye has a root cause. Once you address that cause, the cycle finally breaks.

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