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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
• Crusting around the eyelids

Another condition that causes inflammation of the eyelid is a chalazion. A chalazion occurs when there's a blockage in one of the small oil glands at the margin of the eyelid, just behind the eyelashes. The gland can become infected with bacteria, which may also cause a red, swollen eyelid. Unlike a sty, a chalazion tends to be most prominent on the inner side of the eyelid. Treatment for both conditions is similar.

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 for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day. Contact your doctor if:

• The sty doesn't start to improve after 48 hours
• Redness and swelling extend beyond your eyelid and involve your cheek or other parts of your face

©1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
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A sty can be caused by:

• Poor hygiene. A sty is usually caused by bacteria, especially the bacterium staphylococcus. 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. Blepharitis may be associated with underlying conditions, such as seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea, a skin condition characterized by facial redness. Following your doctor's instructions for treating your blepharitis can help prevent sties.

©1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
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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

©1998-2013 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 start to get better in two days. 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

• 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, vitamins or supplements that you're taking.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. 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?
• Can I continue wearing contact lenses?
• 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 websites do you recommend?
• Do I need a follow-up visit?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared, don't hesitate to ask additional questions.

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Your doctor will usually diagnose a sty just by looking at your eyelid. Your doctor may use a light and a magnifying device to examine your eyelid.

©1998-2013 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.

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.

©1998-2013 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. Doing so can cause the infection to spread.
• 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 loses heat. Continue this for 10 or 15 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.

©1998-2013 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. Be sure to throw away any eye cosmetics you used when you had a sty. 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 blepharitis. If you have blepharitis, follow your doctor's instructions for caring for your eyes.

©1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.
Read this article on Mayoclinic.com.