With the summer heat in full swing, styes (those pesky, painful lumps on your eyelids) become more common due to increased bacterial infections. But don’t worry—keeping your eyes healthy is easy with a few simple steps. Here’s your guide to understanding, treating, and preventing styes.
What is a Stye?
A stye is an acute inflammatory condition of the eyelid glands, commonly caused by bacterial infection. It results in a painful, swollen, and red area on the eyelid, with heat and discomfort being typical symptoms. Styes can be classified into two main types: external styes and internal styes.
External Stye:
This occurs when the sebaceous glands or hair follicles at the base of the eyelashes become infected. Symptoms include localized redness, swelling, and pain at the eyelash base. The eyelid may show swelling with a hard lump near the margin. Yellowish pus-filled spots may form at the base of the eyelashes and can rupture to release pus.
Internal Stye:
This involves an acute infection of the meibomian glands inside the eyelid. Symptoms are similar to those of an external stye but are often more painful because the glands are located deeper within dense tissue. Internal styes may rupture through the conjunctiva and, in severe cases, lead to a larger eyelid abscess if the infection spreads.
Causes of Styes
- Bacteria: Often caused by common bacteria on your skin.
- Poor Hygiene: Touching your eyes with dirty hands or using unclean makeup tools.
- Blocked Glands: Oil and debris can clog the small glands in your eyelids.
- Allergies: Allergic reactions can make your eyes more prone to infections.
How to Treat a Stye
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Warm Compresses: Apply a warm, moist cloth to the affected eye for 10-15 minutes, 2-3 times daily. This helps relieve pain and speeds up healing.
- Important: Never squeeze the stye during hot compresses.
- Warning: If the skin is pus-filled or broken, avoid hot compresses to prevent further infection.
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Keep Clean: Use a gentle cleanser to clean your eyelids. Avoid eye makeup while the stye is active.
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Medication:
- Antibiotic Eye Drops: Apply drops like Tobramycin or Levofloxacin 4 to 6 times daily to target bacteria.
- Antibiotic Ointment: Apply an antibiotic ointment to the conjunctival sac before bed to control the infection overnight.
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Consult a Doctor: If the stye doesn’t improve or gets worse, seek medical advice for possible antibiotics.
Top Tips to Prevent Styes
- Remove Makeup: Always remove eye makeup thoroughly before bed.
- Clean Eyelids: Regularly clean your eyelids and avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands.
- Eat Nutritious Foods: Include foods rich in vitamins A, C, E, and B—like fruits, vegetables, dairy, and eggs.
- Get Essential Minerals: Ensure your diet includes zinc and other essential minerals.
- Seek Medical Help: Consult a healthcare provider if you notice any signs of an eyelid problem.
- Regular Eye Exams: Schedule routine eye exams to catch and address any vision issues early.
By following these simple tips, you can enjoy a stye-free summer and keep your eyes healthy. Protect your vision and feel great all season long!
Recommended Product: Sticro Electric Stye Eye Compress

Our Sticro Electric Stye Eye Compress Heating Pad provides soothing moist heat for stye, chalazion, and blepharitis relief. The heating pad, designed with an eye hole for comfortable wear, can be used on the left or right eye to alleviate irritation. Perfect for relieving discomfort and speeding up recovery.