Stye

Styes are common and should clear up on their own within a week or two. They're rarely a sign of anything serious but may be painful until they heal.

Check if you have a stye

How you can treat a stye yourself

To reduce swelling and help the stye heal:

1. Soak a clean flannel in warm water.
2. Hold it against your eye for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Repeat this 3 or 4 times a day.

To relieve the pain, take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Don't give aspirin to children under 16.

Avoid wearing contact lenses and eye make-up until the stye has burst and healed.

See a GP if your stye:

• is very painful or swollen
• doesn't get better within a few weeks
• affects your vision

Treatment from a GP

Your GP may:

• burst the stye with a thin, sterilised needle
• remove the eyelash closest to the stye
• refer you to an eye specialist in hospital

You can't always prevent a stye

Styes are often caused by bacteria infecting an eyelash follicle or eyelid gland. You're also more likely to get a stye if you have long-term blepharitis.

You can help avoid styes by keeping your eyes clean.