Stye (Hordeolum)

A stye is caused by bacterial infection of the eyelid glands or hair follicles. Staphylococcus aureus — a bacterium that naturally colonises the skin and eyelid margins — is responsible in the vast majority of cases. Infection occurs when these bacteria gain access to a blocked or obstructed gland duct, proliferate within the stagnant contents, and produce the characteristic localised abscess. Contributing factors include poor eyelid hygiene, frequent eye rubbing with unclean hands, contaminated eye makeup, chronic blepharitis, and any condition that impairs the local or systemic immune response.

Yes. Most styes are self-limiting and resolve spontaneously within 7–14 days as the pus collection points, drains, and the infection clears. Consistent warm compress application four times daily significantly accelerates this natural drainage process. Resisting the urge to squeeze the stye is important — the infection relieves itself at the appropriate time through natural pointing and rupture. Styes that do not improve after 2 weeks, or that appear to be enlarging rather than resolving, should be evaluated by an ophthalmologist.

A stye is not directly contagious in the conventional sense — it cannot be 'caught' from another person through casual contact the way a viral infection can. However, the bacteria causing the stye (Staphylococcus aureus) can be transferred on contaminated towels, pillowcases, or through direct hand-to-eye contact. Good hand hygiene, not sharing facial items, and avoiding eye rubbing during an active stye reduce the risk of introducing or spreading bacteria. In households with recurrent stye episodes, attention to shared personal items and eyelid hygiene in all members is advisable.

No. Eye makeup should be avoided during an active stye for several important reasons: application introduces further bacteria directly to the inflamed gland openings, cosmetic products may physically block the drainage pathway, and continued makeup use contaminates brushes and applicators. Any eye makeup products used during an active infection should be discarded after recovery to prevent recontamination. Contact lenses should similarly not be worn during a stye infection as they cause additional eyelid friction, risk lens contamination, and may delay resolution of the infection.

Yes, recurrence is common — particularly in individuals with underlying risk factors such as chronic anterior blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, rosacea, or diabetes. Recurrent styes indicate that the root cause — usually chronic eyelid colonisation with Staphylococcus aureus and poor gland drainage — has not been addressed. Long-term management of recurrent styes involves daily eyelid hygiene, treatment of coexisting blepharitis with antibiotic-steroid ointment, and management of any systemic predisposing condition. Recurrent styes at the same location that do not respond to antibiotics should also be evaluated to exclude an underlying eyelid tumor.

You should seek ophthalmological evaluation if the stye has not started to improve after 2 weeks of warm compress treatment; if the pain is increasing rather than decreasing; if the swelling extends beyond the eyelid to involve the surrounding periorbital area; if there is associated fever; if you notice any change in vision; or if you have had more than two styes in the past 6 months. Recurrent styes, particularly at the same location, also warrant a specialist assessment to evaluate for chronic blepharitis, identify predisposing conditions, and discuss targeted management strategies to prevent further episodes.