Stye or Something Worse? When to Get an Eye Looked At

A stye is a tender red bump on the edge of the eyelid, and most heal on their own within a week or so with warm compresses. It's worth getting it looked at if it isn't improving after a few days, the swelling spreads across the eyelid, or your vision or the eye itself is affected. Those can be signs of something other than a simple stye.

What is a stye?

A stye (hordeolum) is a small infection of an oil gland or eyelash follicle in the eyelid, usually caused by bacteria that normally live on the skin. It looks like a pimple on the lid margin, often with a yellow point, and it's sore, especially when you blink. The eye may water or feel scratchy. Styes are common, aren't usually serious, and aren't especially contagious, though they can come back.

Stye treatment at home

• Warm compresses: a clean washcloth soaked in warm (not hot) water, held on the closed eye for 10 to 15 minutes, several times a day. This helps the stye drain on its own.
• Don't squeeze or pop it. That can push the infection deeper into the eyelid.
• Skip eye makeup and contact lenses until it heals, and keep your hands away from your eyes.
• Gently clean the lid margin with a clean, damp cloth.

Is it a stye, or something else?

Several other problems can look or feel like a stye at first:

• Chalazion: a blocked oil gland further back in the lid. It's usually a firmer, less painful lump that grows slowly and can last for weeks. Warm compresses help here too; a persistent one may need to be seen by an eye doctor.
• Pink eye: redness of the white of the eye with discharge or crusting, rather than a single bump on the lid. More on pink eye.
• Something in the eye: a constant feeling that something is in there, with tearing, redness and pain, especially after yard work, a windy day or working with tools. Don't rub the eye or try to dig anything out. A clinician can examine the eye and remove a surface eye foreign body when it's safe to.
• Eyelid cellulitis: infection that spreads into the skin around the eye, making the whole lid red, swollen and warm. This needs prompt treatment, and an emergency visit if the eye itself is involved (see the box below).

When should you get a stye looked at?

Come in the same day if:

• It isn't getting better after a few days of warm compresses, or it's getting bigger or more painful
• Redness and swelling are spreading across the eyelid or onto the cheek
• You think something got into your eye
• Styes keep coming back

A clinician can examine the eyelid and the eye, look for other causes, and discuss treatment, which might include antibiotic drops or ointment, or a referral to an eye doctor for a lump that won't go away.

A standard in-clinic visit is $175 self-pay. We contract with all major commercial and government plans, including Colorado Medicaid and Medicare; we can't guarantee a particular commercial plan has us in network, and if it's out of network or denies the visit, we drop you to the self-pay rates. See our cost and insurance page.

Call 911 or go to the ER if… you have vision loss, double vision or blurry vision that doesn't clear; pain when you move your eye, or the eye bulges or won't move normally; the eyelid is so swollen you can't open it, especially with fever; metal, glass or a fast-moving object may have hit or entered the eye; something is stuck in the eye; a chemical splashed in the eye (rinse with water and go); or there's blood in the eye or the pupil looks misshapen.

Where to find us

Four clinics across metro Denver, all ages welcome, se habla español:

• Hampden (Southeast Denver): 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Littleton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Thornton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Highlands: Mon–Fri 5–11 PM, Sat–Sun 8 AM–11 PM

Walk in, or book online.