{"id":632656,"date":"2025-06-25T15:19:07","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T19:19:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=632656"},"modified":"2025-06-25T15:19:07","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T19:19:07","slug":"stye-antibiotic-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/stye-antibiotic-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Stye antibiotic treatment: Is it necessary?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A <\/span>stye<\/span><\/a>, also known as a hordeolum, is a common eyelid infection that occurs when an oil and sweat gland along the eyelid becomes clogged and then infected with bacteria. While most styes go away on their own, some may require medical treatment. Standard <\/span>stye treatment<\/span><\/a> includes applying warm compresses and keeping the eye area clean. If the stye doesn\u2019t improve after a few days, a healthcare provider may recommend medicated eye washes, topical treatments, or oral antibiotics. In serious cases, an ophthalmologist may perform a procedure to drain the stye.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you need antibiotics for a stye?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Antibiotics<\/span><\/a> are medications that stop or kill the bacteria responsible for infections. They\u2019re used when the body can\u2019t resolve an infection on its own, and the type prescribed depends on the severity and type of infection. In most cases, you won\u2019t need antibiotics for a stye.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>review published in 2022<\/span><\/a> found that adding antibiotics to standard care did not increase the chances of a stye resolving. However, if a stye doesn\u2019t go away after a few days of standard care or the infection gets worse, your healthcare provider may recommend topical or oral antibiotics. The <\/span>American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends<\/span><\/a> a conservative treatment of warm compresses and eyelid hygiene for uncomplicated styes, and only recommends antibiotics when necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhile most styes resolve with warm compresses and lid cleanses, antibiotics are used in certain unique cases,\u201d shares <\/span>Sarah Budnick<\/span><\/a>, OD, optometrist at Walmart Vision Center in St. Johns, Michigan. Redness, <\/span>swelling<\/span><\/a>, and discomfort around the stye are signs of infection. Sometimes, the infection can spread from the sweat and oil gland (called a sebaceous gland) into the surrounding tissue and cause cellulitis. For cellulitis around the eye (called periorbital cellulitis), oral antibiotics may be needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the best antibiotic for a stye?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Though there isn\u2019t a single antibiotic that\u2019s best for treating styes, healthcare providers choose from several options based on several factors. The location and severity of the infection, as well as individual factors like someone\u2019s allergy history are all factors that can help a healthcare provider choose the best treatment for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Topical antibiotics in the form of an ointment don\u2019t have strong evidence for their benefits, but they may still be recommended. The most commonly prescribed topical antibiotic was an <\/span>erythromycin<\/span><\/a> 0.5% ointment, according to a 2022 review of more than 2,700 cases. This review found that topical antibiotics were prescribed 56% of the time. <\/span>Bacitracin ointment<\/span><\/a> is also another topical antibiotic option that may be recommended.<\/span><\/p>\n

In some cases, healthcare providers may prescribe a combination of antibiotics and steroids to reduce both infection and inflammation. One commonly prescribed topical eye treatment is a combination of <\/span>neomycin, polymyxin B sulfates, and dexamethasone<\/span><\/a>. This combination comes in eye drops or as an ointment.<\/span><\/p>\n

If the infection is spreading, worsening, or not responding to topical treatments, oral antibiotics may be used. These include <\/span>doxycycline<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Augmentin<\/span><\/a> (amoxicillin-clavulanate), <\/span>Keflex<\/span><\/a> (cephalexin), and <\/span>azithromycin<\/span><\/a>. Doxycycline is also prescribed for underlying conditions that can increase the risk of stye formation, such as meibomian gland (oil gland) dysfunction (MBD) and ocular rosacea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare antibiotics for styes<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Name<\/b><\/td>\nSingleCare cost<\/b><\/td>\nSavings options<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Erythromycin\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n$15 for 1, 3.5 g of 5 mg\/g tube<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bacitracin<\/b><\/td>\n$4 for 1 tube\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Neomycin\/polymyxin B sulfates\/dexamethasone ointment<\/b><\/td>\n$19 for 1, 5 mL of 3.5 mg\/10,000 units\/0.1% bottle\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Doxycycline<\/b><\/td>\n$10 for 14, 100 mg capsules<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate)<\/b><\/td>\n$18 for 20, 875\u2013125 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Keflex (cephalexin)<\/b><\/td>\n$13 for 28, 500 mg capsules<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Azithromycin<\/b><\/td>\n$10 for 1, 6-tablet box<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Stye treatment at home<\/span><\/h2>\n

Most styes can be supported with at-home treatments and basic eyelid hygiene. Typical care for a stye includes washing the eyelid, keeping it clean, and using warm compresses until it resolves. If the stye doesn\u2019t improve within a few days, it\u2019s important to see a healthcare provider to seek other treatment options.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few basic stye treatments that can be done at home:<\/span><\/p>\n