Styes a are lumps in or along the edge of an eyelid. They may be painful or annoying, but they are rarely serious. Most will go away on their own without treatment.

• A stye is an infection that causes a tender red lump on the eyelid. Most styes occur along the edge of the eyelid.

What causes a stye?

Styes are caused by a bacterial infection. Usually the bacteria grow in the root (follicle) of an eyelash.

What are the symptoms?

A stye usually starts as a red bump that looks like a pimple along the edge of the eyelid.

• As the stye grows, the eyelid becomes swollen and painful, and the eye may water.
• Most styes swell for about 3 days before they break open and drain.
• Styes usually heal in about a week.

How is a stye diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose a stye by closely examining the eyelid.

How are they treated?

Home treatment is all that is needed for most styes

• Apply warm, wet compresses 3 to 6 times a day. This usually helps styes heal faster. It may also help open a blocked pore so that it can drain and begin to heal.
• Let it open on its own. Do not squeeze or open a stye
• Don't wear eye makeup or contact lenses until after the stye heals