The best thing to put on a stye is a warm, moist compress, applied for 5 to 10 minutes, 3 to 6 times a day. This simple treatment is the first-line approach recommended by eye doctors, and most styes resolve on their own within a week or two with consistent compresses. Beyond warmth, a few other topical options can help with comfort, and knowing what not to put on a stye matters just as much.
Warm Compresses: The Most Effective Treatment
A warm compress works by softening the blocked oil gland that caused the stye, helping it drain naturally. Soak a clean washcloth in warm water, wring it out, and hold it gently against your closed eyelid. Aim for 5 to 10 minutes per session, repeating 3 to 6 times throughout the day. The cloth cools quickly, so rewet it every couple of minutes to keep steady warmth on the area.
Avoid using hot water or microwaving a wet cloth. Both can overheat unevenly and burn the delicate skin of your eyelid. The compress should feel comfortably warm, not hot. A clean washcloth works just as well as anything else. The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes there is no evidence that tea bags offer any advantage over a plain warm washcloth, despite their popularity as a home remedy.
OTC Stye Ointments and Eye Drops
Over-the-counter stye ointments are available at most pharmacies, but they don’t treat the infection itself. The most common OTC stye ointment contains mineral oil and white petrolatum as its active ingredients. These are lubricants and emollients, meaning they temporarily relieve burning and irritation and help prevent further dryness around the eye. They can make the stye more comfortable, but they won’t speed up healing.
Lubricating eye drops (artificial tears) can also help if the stye is making your eye feel dry or gritty. These are safe to use alongside warm compresses. Don’t use medicated eye drops designed for redness or allergies unless specifically directed to, as they address different problems and can mask symptoms.
Gentle Eyelid Cleansing
Keeping the eyelid clean helps prevent the infection from worsening or spreading. Dilute a small amount of baby shampoo or fragrance-free gentle soap in warm water, then use a clean cotton swab or washcloth to gently wipe the affected eyelid. Don’t rub or scrub. The goal is to remove crusting and bacteria from the lash line without irritating inflamed skin.
Pre-made eyelid scrub pads are another option if you prefer something ready to use. Either way, clean hands before touching anywhere near your eye.
When Prescription Treatment Is Needed
If a stye hasn’t improved after about 48 hours of consistent warm compresses, a doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment. These are applied as a thin ribbon directly into the affected eye, typically several times a day depending on severity. Unlike OTC ointments, prescription options actively fight the bacterial infection causing the stye.
In rare cases where a stye becomes very large or doesn’t respond to antibiotics, a doctor can drain it with a small incision. This is a quick in-office procedure, not something to attempt at home.
What Not to Put on a Stye
Never squeeze, pop, or try to lance a stye yourself. Doing so can spread the infection deeper into the eyelid or into surrounding tissue, potentially leading to a more serious infection. Let the warm compresses do the work of encouraging natural drainage.
Skip eye makeup while you have a stye. Makeup can introduce more bacteria and irritate the already inflamed area. Old makeup, especially mascara and eyeliner, may have been the source of bacteria in the first place. Toss any eye products you were using when the stye developed. Contact lenses should also be avoided during an active stye, since the lens sits directly against infected tissue and can spread bacteria across the eye.
Stye vs. Chalazion
Not every bump on the eyelid is a stye. A stye is very painful and usually appears right at the eyelid’s edge, caused by an infected eyelash root or oil gland. A chalazion develops farther back on the eyelid and typically isn’t painful, though it can grow large enough to press on the eye and blur vision. Both respond well to warm compresses, but a chalazion tends to take longer to resolve and is more likely to need medical drainage if it persists.
Signs a Stye Needs Medical Attention
Most styes clear up with home care, but certain symptoms signal something more serious. Get evaluated if your eye swells shut, pus or blood leaks from the bump, pain and swelling increase after the first two to three days, blisters form on your eyelid, your eyelids feel hot to the touch, or your vision changes. Styes that keep coming back can also point to an underlying issue worth investigating with an eye doctor.