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Key takeaways
The first-line treatment for a stye is putting a warm compress on the eyelid for 5 to 10 minutes several times throughout the day.
Over-the-counter treatments for a stye include hypochlorous acid sprays (such as OCuSOFT HypoChlor) and gentle eyelid cleansers, which may help reduce swelling and keep the area clean.
Natural remedies like warm compresses and regular eyelid cleaning are usually enough for a simple stye, but antibiotics may help if it doesn’t improve or gets worse.
A stye (hordeolum) is a swollen red bump that looks like a pimple and forms on the eyelid near the eyelash line or inside the eyelid. It is often painful and can fill with pus. In most cases, it clears up in a week or two with warm compresses and good hygiene. In some cases, however, a stye may persist or get worse. See a healthcare provider if the stye doesn’t start improving in a few days, it keeps growing or spreading to other areas, or your vision changes. Persistent or multiple styes mean it’s time to see an eye doctor.
How is a stye diagnosed?
A healthcare provider can diagnose styes through a quick eyelid exam. They might use a light or a magnifying glass to examine the eyelids more closely for any signs of tenderness or swelling. They may also look under the eyelid if there’s an internal stye. There’s no need for lab testing.
Conditions that make some people more vulnerable to skin infections or gland blockage also increase their risk of styes. These include:
Seborrheic dermatitis
Rosacea
Diabetes
High cholesterol
Blepharitis, or swelling of the edge of the eyelid due to bacteria or a skin condition
If a stye is more complex or the person has more serious skin or eye conditions, a healthcare provider may recommend seeing an ophthalmologist or other eye specialist. They can help rule out other eye conditions.
Stye treatment options
In most cases, a stye clears up without medical treatment within one or two weeks. Warm compresses, topical antibiotics, and in-office drainage are all possible options, depending on the severity of the stye. For example, oral antibiotics are reserved for styes that worsen, keep recurring, or show signs of spreading to surrounding tissues. In severe cases, a small in-office incision and drainage may be necessary.
Types of stye medication
Most styes don’t need medication, but a healthcare provider may recommend an OTC eyelid cleanser or an antibiotic based on how the stye is developing.
Topical antibiotics
Topical antibiotics aren’t usually a first-line option, as there aren’t enough studies to show they improve healing times. They may be recommended for recurring styes, styes that don’t start improving after a few days, or styes with increased drainage and pus. The most common option is erythromycin eye ointment, although bacitracin ointment and azithromycin eye drops are alternatives. Side effects may include temporary irritation and blurry vision right after use.
Oral antibiotics
Antibiotics taken by mouth may be recommended for styes that don’t improve with topical treatments. They may also be used for severe styes that may be spreading to other areas of the skin (preseptal cellulitis). The most common options for chronic cases include amoxicillin-clavulanate, cephalexin, and doxycycline. Potential side effects include nausea, diarrhea, stomach upset, and rash.
Over-the-counter stye medicine
Some OTC products may help support healing when used alongside warm compresses. Hypochlorous acid sprays like OCuSOFT HypoChlor can help reduce the amount of bacteria on the eyelids. If blepharitis is the cause of a stye, eyelid cleansers containing tea tree oil, such as Cliradex, may be helpful. Some healthcare providers may recommend Polysporin, though it hasn’t been shown to shorten healing time significantly.
Save big on your prescriptions
with the free SingleCare app.
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What is the best medication for a stye?
| Drug name | See SingleCare price |
|---|---|
| Erythromycin | Get free coupon |
| Bacitracin | Get free coupon |
| AzaSite | Get free coupon |
| Polysporin | Get free coupon |
| Ocusoft Hypochlor | Get free coupon |
| Cephalexin | Get free coupon |
| Amoxicillin | Get free coupon |
| Augmentin | Get free coupon |
| Doxycycline | Get free coupon |
This is not an exhaustive list of stye medications. Always ask your healthcare provider for the best treatment for a stye based on your health condition and medical history.
Common side effects of stye medicine
Oral antibiotics typically cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea, or headache. Allergies are a potential concern in some people, so consult a healthcare provider if you’ve had a past allergic reaction with severe swelling, hives, or trouble breathing. Topical antibiotics often cause site reactions, such as burning or irritation, at the application site. This is not a complete list, so you should consult a healthcare provider for other side effects before starting treatment.
Home remedies for a stye
Most styes can be treated at home with simple home remedies. These may include warm compresses, gentle eyelid cleansing, and avoiding irritants.
Use warm compresses. Apply a warm washcloth or a microwaveable eye compress to the closed eye for 5 to 10 minutes, 3 to 4 times per day. The heat can help soften the oil blocked up behind the gland and help the stye drain on its own.
Clean the eyelid daily. Wash the eyelid area with a small amount of diluted baby shampoo on a clean washcloth or use a cleanser specifically made for the eye area. Hypochlorous acid sprays like OCuSOFT HypoChlor may help reduce bacteria on the eyelid skin.
Gently massage the eyelid. After a warm compress, lightly massage the eyelid toward the edge to help the gland drain. Skip this step if the stye is very tender.
Pause eye makeup and contacts. Wait until the stye is healed before applying eye makeup or using contact lenses. Otherwise, the bacteria might spread to makeup products or contact lenses, potentially causing another stye.
Don’t pop or squeeze the stye. Popping a stye can spread the infection deeper into surrounding tissues, potentially leading to a more serious infection.
While home remedies are usually all that’s needed to treat a stye, consult an eye care professional if the stye gets worse or starts to affect your vision.
Expert takeaway
Warm compresses are among the most effective ways to treat a stye, but they must be used consistently throughout the day. Many patients give up after a few warm compresses and go straight for antibiotics, even though antibiotics won’t speed up the body’s drainage process.
Frequently asked questions about a stye
How do I get rid of a stye overnight?
A stye is an infection, and the body will heal it naturally. You can speed up the process by applying a warm compress several times per day. Lid massage and lid scrubs may also help.
What is the best medicine for stye?
Warm compresses are the most effective first-line option for styes. For persistent or multiple styes, the medications of choice are topical or oral antibiotics.
What antibiotic is used for a stye?
Antibiotics aren’t usually the first option for treating a stye. However, for more severe cases, a topical or oral antibiotic may be recommended. Antibiotic eye ointments include erythromycin or bacitracin, while oral antibiotics include doxycycline and cephalexin.
What over-the-counter medicine is good for a stye?
Ophthalmologists may recommend a lid scrub to reduce bacterial load on the eyelid. Many of these are sterile saline solution scrubs, but some have hypochlorous acid, a powerful antiseptic.
Are there eye drops for styes?
There are no approved eye drops made specifically for styes. However, eye lubricants may help protect the surface of the eye. A prescription eye antibiotic may be used for cases that occur alongside an infection of the eye membranes (like pink eye).
Sources
Hordeolum (stye), StatPearls (2024)
What is the difference between a stye and a chalazion?, American Academy of Ophthalmology (2026)
Hordeolum (stye), American Optometric Association
Chalazion and hordeolum (stye), Merck Manual Professional Edition (2026)
Non-surgical interventions for acute internal hordeolum, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2017)
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