Can you pop a stye?

When you run your finger over your eyelid and feel a lump, you know in your heart that it's going to be a whole thing for the next few days. This is a stye, and all you want is for it to go away — and fast. Naturally, you'll be tempted to pop it, but should you?

Understanding styes and their characteristics

A stye is a sometimes painful red lump that forms on the eyelid, and it may look like a pimple without a head. Large ones look like a boil and cause significant discomfort. They may be hard or soft to the touch, and they're often filled with pus. Styes that form on the inside of the eyelid can also be excruciating. 

What is a stye?

A stye is a lot like a pimple, and what makes most of the difference is where it's located. Although styes only form on the eyelids, they crop up pretty much anywhere on them. Those that form on the outside are external styes, and they usually look like a pimple. If they form on the inside of the eyelid, they're called internal styes.

Causes of styes 

You can get a stye for various reasons. Oil glands on the outside of the eyelid can get clogged and develop into a stye (yuck!). The really fun ones also work a bacterial infection into the mix. One type of bacteria, staphylococcus aureus, is especially prone to kick off a stye since it's present everywhere, including all over your skin all the time.

If your stye is the result of a staph infection, it might be harder to treat, since a lot of antibiotic-resistant strains have cropped up over the last few decades. You can reduce your chances of getting a stye by keeping your face clean and free from excess oil buildup. Give your face a decent once-over with a soapy washcloth while you're in the shower. 

The myth of popping styes

Myths and misconceptions 

So. . . can you pop a stye? Okay, that's a big nope. Don't do that. Popping a stye can lead to spreading bacteria all over a sensitive area that's already prone to infections. The protection you usually get from your dry outer layer of skin doesn't exist in these areas, and infectious agents have an easier time crossing into your bloodstream through tiny veins.

A large-scale eye infection can cause conjunctivitis, which is the inflammation of the area around your eyeball. Scarring, vision loss, and other irreversible problems can follow. In some cases, you might even get the bacteria in your blood, resulting in sepsis, which can lead to Herculean medical interventions to treat the infection in your heart and other organs.

Safe practices and treatment

Safe stye treatment

A stye will usually go away on its own after a few days that feel like months, so sometimes zero is the right amount of intervention. If you can't wait, this home remedy focuses on stimulating the infection to hurry up and die already. Apply moist heat, such as with a warm washcloth or a recently used teabag, for several minutes to warm the site and make the bacteria die off.

If the stye pops on its own, and you absolutely swear you didn't do it yourself, it's okay. Keep the area clean, and don't wear contacts for a while. Watch for spreading redness or pain that doesn't go away on its own. You can call your doctor and either go in or get a specific list of trouble signs to watch out for. 

Consulting a healthcare professional

Call for advice or an appointment if you're not sure whether you actually have a stye and need a diagnosis. Set up an appointment if it doesn't go away after a few days or it pops on its own. If the pain becomes unbearable, your healthcare professional might lance it. That's somewhat like popping it, except everything is sterile.

So you have a stye

Styes are just one of those bad things that happen to good people. If you get one, it's not the end of the world, although your weekend might be shot. Keep the area clean, and watch for signs it's getting out of control. Don't pop the thing, and if you need it gone fast, call a professional to do the job in a sterile clinic setting. If you're wondering how to get from your house to an eye care professional, check out our tool for finding an eye doctor near you. 

FAQs

Is it safe to pop a stye at home?

Nope. Never. Please don't pop a stye on your own.

Are there any safe methods for stye relief?

It's generally safe to put a warm compress over the stye or take an anti-inflammatory painkiller. However, you should always check with a medical professional before taking any OTC medications or attempting home remedies.

When should I see a doctor for my stye?

When in doubt, always call a doctor — especially if the redness spreads or the swelling blocks your vision. They don't mind you calling, and it's better to be safe than sorry.