Do you have a painful, red bump on your eyelid that won’t go away? Most styes clear up on their own within a week or two, but a few common habits can slow that timeline and keep that bump around much longer than necessary.
Keep reading to learn about five common stye mistakes to avoid so your eyelid heals as quickly as possible.
What Causes a Stye?
Your eyelids have tiny oil glands called meibomian glands, which sit just behind your eyelashes. They produce the oil that keeps your eyes moist and prevents tears from drying out too quickly.
A stye forms when one of these glands gets clogged, and bacteria build up inside it, creating a swollen, painful bump. People with dry eye, skin conditions like rosacea, or a history of eyelid inflammation are more prone to styes, though anyone can develop one.
5 Stye Mistakes That Slow Down Healing
1. Squeezing or Popping the Stye
It might look like a pimple, but treating a stye the same way is a recipe for trouble. Squeezing the bump can force bacteria deeper into the eyelid, spread the infection to surrounding tissue, and even risk damage to your eye. Let the stye drain naturally instead of trying to force it.
2. Covering It With Makeup
Reaching for concealer to hide a stye is understandable, but cosmetics can further block the already-clogged gland. Eye makeup and mascara add layers of product right where bacteria thrive, delaying drainage and potentially deepening the infection. Hold off on eye makeup until the stye has fully healed.
3. Skipping Warm Compresses
Heat is the single most effective home remedy for a stye. A warm compress softens the hardened oil inside the clogged gland and encourages it to drain on its own.
Without consistent warmth, that blockage stays put, and the stye lingers. Use a clean, heated eye compress or warm washcloth for about 10 minutes at a time, up to four times a day.
4. Using Over-the-Counter Stye Ointments
Many pharmacy shelves carry products labeled as stye ointments, but these are typically just lubricants. They do not treat the infection or clear the clog.
In some cases, the extra ointment can coat the gland opening, making drainage harder. Stick with warm compresses unless your eye doctor prescribes a specific medication.
5. Touching Your Eye With Dirty Hands
Every time you rub or touch the stye with unwashed hands, you risk introducing more bacteria to the area. This can worsen the existing infection or spread it to the other eye.
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before cleaning the stye or applying a compress, and resist the urge to touch or rub your eyelid throughout the day.
When to See an Eye Doctor About a Stye
Most styes respond well to warm compresses within a few days. If the pain and swelling have not improved after about 48 hours of consistent at-home care, schedule a visit with your eye doctor. You should also seek attention if your vision changes, the swelling spreads to your cheek, or styes keep returning.
Your eye doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops, ointment, or oral medication. In stubborn cases where scar tissue has formed, a quick in-office procedure can remove the remaining blockage. The team at Colorado Eye Consultants can evaluate your stye and recommend the right treatment plan for your situation.
If a stye is not improving or keeps coming back, schedule an appointment with the eye care specialists at Colorado Eye Consultants in Littleton, CO, today!
