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Signs and symptoms of a sty include:

• A red lump on your eyelid that is similar to a boil or a pimple
• Eyelid pain
• Eyelid swelling
• Tearing

When to see a doctor
Most sties are harmless to your eye and won't affect your ability to see clearly. Try self-care measures first, such as applying a warm washcloth to your closed eyelid. Contact your doctor if:

• The sty doesn't go away in a week
• Redness and swelling extend beyond your eyelid and involve your cheek or other parts of your face

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

A sty can be caused by:

• Poor hygiene that exposes your eyelids to bacteria. A sty is commonly caused by the bacterium staphylococcus, though other bacteria can also cause a sty. Touching your eyes with unwashed hands can transfer bacteria to your eyelids.
• Eyelid inflammation. Chronic inflammation along the edge of the eyelid caused by a condition called blepharitis can cause a sty to form. Following your doctor's instructions for treating your blepharitis can help prevent sties.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

You risk exposing your eyelids to infection if you:

• Change your contact lenses without thoroughly washing your hands first
• Fail to disinfect your contact lenses before putting them in
• Leave eye makeup on overnight
• Use old or expired cosmetics

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

Start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner if your sty is painful or doesn't go away on its own in a week. In some cases, your doctor may refer you to a specialist who treats eye diseases and conditions (ophthalmologist).

Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready, and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

• Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
• Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• Write down key personal information you feel may be important for your doctor to know.
• Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
• Take a family member or friend along. Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For a sty, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What is the likely cause of my sty?
• When can I expect my sty to go away?
• What kinds of tests do I need?
• Are there any treatments for my sty?
• What are the benefits and risks of these treatments?
• What can I do to prevent future sties?
• Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
• Can I continue wearing contact lenses?
• Should I see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
• Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What Web sites do you recommend?
• What will determine whether I should plan for a follow-up visit?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared, don't hesitate to ask questions as they come up.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

Tests and procedures used to diagnose a sty include:

• Examining your eyelid. Your doctor may determine you have a sty by looking at your eyelid. Your doctor may use a light and a magnifying device to examine your eyelid.
• Testing for bacteria. If your doctor needs to lance your sty to relieve pressure, a small sample of pus may be collected for testing. This helps determine which bacterium is causing your infection and which antibiotics are most appropriate for you.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

In most cases, a sty doesn't require specific treatment. A sty typically goes away on its own in a few days to a week.

For a sty that persists, your doctor may recommend treatments, such as:

• Antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eyedrops or a topical antibiotic cream to apply to your eyelid. If your eyelid infection persists or spreads beyond your eyelid, your doctor may recommend antibiotics in tablet or pill form.
• Surgery to relieve pressure. To treat a pus-filled sty that won't rupture or burst on its own, your doctor or ophthalmologist may choose to lance and drain the sty to relieve pain and pressure.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

Until your sty goes away on its own, try to:

• Leave the sty alone. Don't try to pop the sty or squeeze the pus from a sty.
• Place a warm washcloth over your closed eyes. To relieve pain, run warm water over a clean washcloth. Wring out the washcloth and place it over your closed eye. Re-wet the washcloth when it looses heat. Continue this for five or 10 minutes. Repeating this several times each day may encourage the sty to drain on its own.
• Keep your eye clean. Don't wear eye makeup until the sty has healed.
• Go without contacts lenses. It's possible for your contact lenses to become contaminated with bacteria associated with your sty, so plan to go without contacts until your sty goes away.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.

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.
• Make sure your contact lenses are clean. If you wear contact lenses, wash your hands thoroughly before inserting your contacts and follow your doctor's advice on disinfecting your contacts.
• Manage your blepharitis. If you have blepharitis, follow your doctor's instructions for caring for your eyes.

©1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.