Styes are common and should clear up on their own within 1 or 2 weeks. They're rarely a sign of anything serious, but may be painful until they heal.

A stye usually only affects 1 eye, but it's possible to have more than 1 at a time.

It's probably not a stye if:

• there's no lump – if your eye or eyelid is swollen, red and watery it's more likely to be conjunctivitis or blepharitis
• the lump is hard but not very painful – it's more likely to be a chalazion

To reduce swelling and help the stye heal:

1. Soak a clean flannel in warm water.
2. Hold it against your eye for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Repeat this 3 or 4 times a day.

To relieve the pain, take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Do not give aspirin to children under 16.

Avoid wearing contact lenses and eye make-up until the stye has burst and healed.

Do not burst a stye

Do not try to burst a stye or remove an eyelash yourself. This can spread the infection.

See a GP if your stye:

If you have a stye, the GP may:

• burst the stye with a thin, sterilised needle
• remove the eyelash closest to the stye
• refer you to an eye specialist in hospital

Styes are often caused by bacteria infecting an eyelash follicle or eyelid gland.

You're also more likely to get a stye if you have long-term blepharitis or rosacea.

You can help avoid styes by keeping your eyes clean.