Treatment:

• Styes and chalazions can be treated by applying warm compresses. Apply for 10 minutes. Do this four times a day.
• Do NOT attempt to squeeze a stye or any other type of eyelid bump. Let it drain on its own.
• Antibiotic creams may help recurrent or persistent styes. Some large styes need to be lanced to drain the infection.

Click here to see a video about treating eyelid bumps.

Expectations (prognosis):

Styes often get better on their own. However, they may recur. The outcome is generally excellent with simple treatment.

Complications:

• Recurrence of a stye
• Spread of infection to other eyelash follicles
• Spread of infection to the tissue of the eyelid (eyelid cellulitis)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your doctor if:

• You have problems with your vision.
• The eyelid bump worsens or does not improve within a week or two of self-care.
• The eyelid bump or bumps become very large or painful.
• You have a blister on your eyelid.
• You have crusting or scaling of your eyelids.
• Your whole eyelid is red, or the eye itself is red.
• You are very sensitive to light or have excessive tears.
• A stye comes back soon after successful treatment of another one.
• Your eyelid bump bleeds.