1. Treat Symptoms
- 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.
2. Protect Against Infection
- 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.
3. Follow Up
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).