Student Health Center
Stye Information Sheet
- MaryAnne Cristodero
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
A stye is a lump on the edge or inside of your eyelid usually caused by an infection. A stye can form on your upper or lower eyelid. It usually goes away in 2 to 4 days with symptomatic treatment.
TREATMENT:
Use warm compresses. This will help decrease swelling and pain. Wet a clean washcloth with warm water and place it on the affected eye for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 to 4 times each day or as directed.
Keep your hands away from your eye. This helps to prevent the spread of the infection to other parts of the eye. Wash your hands often with soap and dry with a clean towel. Do not squeeze or attempt to “pop” the stye.
Do not wear eye makeup while you have a stye. Eye makeup may carry bacteria and cause another stye.
Throw away eye makeup and brushes used to apply the makeup. Use new eye makeup after the stye has gone away.
Do not share eye makeup with others.
Do not use contact lenses for length of illness or treatment. Change lenses once stye has resolved.
IF YOU WERE PRESCRIBED A MEDICINE:
This antibiotic medicine is given as an ointment or drops to put into your eye(s). It is used to fight an infection caused by bacteria. Use as directed.
TO PREVENT ANOTHER STYE:
Wash your face and clean your eyelashes every day. Remove eye makeup with makeup remover. This helps to completely remove eye makeup without heavy rubbing.
RETURN TO THE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER OR CONTACT YOUR PRIMARY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF:
You think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects.
You have redness and discharge around your eye, and your eye pain is getting worse.
Your vision changes.
You have crusting or scaling of your eyelids.
You are very sensitive to light or have excessive tears.
The stye has not gone away within 7 days.
The stye comes back within a short period of time after treatment.
You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
