Common Eye Bumps

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Overview

A stye is a painful lump near the edge of the eyelid that may look like a boil or a pimple. Styes are often caused by bacterial infections and may be filled with pus. A stye usually forms on the outside of your eyelid, but sometimes it can form on the inner part of your eyelid.

In most cases, a stye will begin to disappear on its own in a couple of days. In the meantime, you may be able to relieve the pain or discomfort of a stye by applying a warm washcloth to your eyelid.

Photograph showing a stye

Stye

A stye is a bacterial infection involving one or more of the small glands near the base of your eyelashes. It is similar to a boil or a pimple and is often painful.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a stye include:

  • A red or discolored lump on the eyelid that is like a boil or a pimple.
  • Eyelid pain.
  • Eyelid swelling.
  • Tearing.

Another condition that causes inflammation of the eyelid is a chalazion. A chalazion happens when there’s a blockage in one of the small oil glands near the eyelashes. Unlike a stye, a chalazion usually isn’t painful and tends to be most prominent on the inner side of the eyelid. Treatment for both conditions is similar.

When to see a doctor

Most styes are harmless to the eye and won’t affect the ability to see clearly. Try self-care measures first, such as applying a warm washcloth to your closed eyelid for 5 to 10 minutes several times a day and gently massaging the eyelid. Contact a healthcare professional if:

  • The stye doesn’t start to improve after 48 hours.
  • Redness or discoloration and swelling involve the entire eyelid or extend into the cheek or other parts of the face.

  • Causes

    A stye is caused by an infection of oil glands in the eyelid. The bacterium staphylococcus is a common cause of most of these infections.

    Risk factors

    Factors that increase someone’s risk of a stye include:

    • Touching the eyes with unwashed hands.
    • Inserting contact lenses without thoroughly disinfecting them or washing hands first.
    • Leaving on eye makeup overnight.
    • Using old or expired cosmetics.
    • Having a long-lasting inflammation along the edge of the eyelid, called blepharitis.
    • Having a skin condition characterized by facial redness, known as rosacea.

    Prevention

    To prevent eye infections:

    • Wash your hands. Wash your hands with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer several times each day. Keep your hands away from your eyes.
    • Take care with cosmetics. Reduce your risk of recurrent eye infections by throwing away old cosmetics. Don’t share your cosmetics with others. Don’t wear eye makeup overnight.
    • Make sure your contact lenses are clean. If you wear contact lenses, wash your hands thoroughly before handling your contacts and follow your eye professional’s advice on disinfecting them.
    • Apply warm compresses. If you’ve had a stye before, using a warm compress regularly may help prevent it from coming back.
    • Manage blepharitis. If you have blepharitis, follow your eye professional’s instructions for caring for your eyes.

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