Stye Treatment

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
Medically Reviewed by Timothy G. Murray, MBA, MD, FACS on June 17, 2026
  • Most styes go away on their own in about a week.
  • Apply a warm compress for 5 to 10 minutes several times a day. Use a clean washcloth or towel soaked in warm water. Keep eyes closed. Your local pharmacy has over-the-counter medicated wipes you can also use on your eyelids and eyelashes. 
  • Keep the area clean and avoid touching or rubbing the eyes.
  • Don't squeeze the sty.
  • Don't use eye make-up or wear contact lenses.

In most cases, styes don't require medical care. Call your health care provider if:

  • The stye doesn't heal in a week or 10 days.
  • The stye becomes more painful or swollen after several days of home treatment.
  • The person also has fever or chills.
  • The person develops vision problems.
  • The person has recurring styes.
  • The entire eyelid or eye itself is red or swollen.
  • Redness spreads to around the eye or the cheek.
  • The person has an abnormal immune system (for example, people with diabetes or HIV, patients receiving treatment for cancer, organ transplant recipients).

 

Add WebMD as a Preferred Source to see more of our trusted content across Google Search, AI Overviews, and AI Mode