Are Styes Contagious? Everything To Know
November 27, 2024 • 5:34 PM
If you’ve ever woken up to what looks and feels like a pimple on the edge of your eyelid, you might have a stye.
Although they can look and feel uncomfortable, there’s no need to panic if you have a stye. That said, you may need to ditch your contact lenses and grab your favorite Base Frames from Pair.
In this guide, we’re taking a look at what causes styes, how you can manage them at home, and when it might be time to see an eye doctor. We’ll also answer important questions about whether styes are contagious so that you can keep your loved ones safe.
What Is an Eye Stye?
From the outside, a stye looks like a pimple or a red bump on the edge of your eyelid. Like acne, a stye can be inflamed and painful to touch.
Most people use the word “stye,” but it’s helpful to know that the medical term is “hordeolum.” Styes are very common and tend to appear more often in adults than children, as the oil in adult oil glands is thicker than a child’s (but more on this later).
If you have a stye, you may notice the following symptoms along with the small, red lump:
- Teary or watery eyes
- Feeling like something is trapped in your eye
- Crustiness on your eyelid
- Eyelid swelling or discharge
- Sensitivity to light
What Are the Two Types of Styes?
There are two main types of styes that you should be aware of. The first is an external stye, which forms on the outer part of the upper or lower eyelid. These are the most common types of styes.
The other kind is an internal stye. With an internal stye, a pimple-like lump forms on your inner eyelid.
Is a Stye Different Than a Chalazion?
Styes are often confused with chalazia — and for a good reason. Both are types of eyelid bumps, but there are some important differences.
A chalazion will usually appear on the underside of your upper eyelid. In rare cases, they may show up on the lower lid, but usually, they are contained to the upper lid. Styes, on the other hand, frequently appear on both eyelids.
Unlike a stye, a chalazion is caused by a blockage, not an infection. Chalazia don’t tend to be painful, but they do tend to stick around longer than styes. While a stye might resolve itself in a few weeks, chalazia can take weeks or months to go away.
What Causes Styes?
Now that you know what a stye is and its different types, it’s time to discuss what causes styes in the first place.
A stye is a bacterial infection located in the oil-producing glands in your eyelid. These glands are important because they line your eyelids and help lubricate your eyes.
Our eyes are extremely sensitive and prone to infection. When these glands become clogged or blocked, the blockage is likely to cause irritation and swelling, which in turn can cause a stye.
The most common bacteria that causes styes is staphylococcus, and it can get into your eyes in a few different ways. For example, if you touch or rub your eyes frequently, your hands can carry stye-causing bacteria to your eyelid.
Are Styes Contagious?
Generally speaking, styes aren’t contagious. Unlike other viruses and bacteria that can infect your eyes, such as conjunctivitis (aka pink eye), styes don’t spread from one person to another. That said, small amounts of bacteria can technically spread from your eye to your hands if you have a stye and you don’t wash them regularly.
However, it's important to note that this is extremely rare. Part of the reason styes aren’t considered a contagious eye infection is that you would need to come into direct contact with an inflamed eyelid or a hand that just touched one.
Given this small, if unlikely, chance of spreading a stye, it’s a good idea to be extra diligent about handwashing when you have one and to avoid touching the affected area.
Can You Treat Styes at Home?
If the pimple-like appearance of a stye tempts you to pop it, resist that urge. Because bacteria causes styes, popping them can spread that bacteria to other parts of your eye and your body. That said, you can treat a stye at home.
The most effective way to treat a stye at home is to use a warm compress. Simply take a clean washcloth and dip it in warm water. Hold the warm washcloth on your eyelid for 10 to 15 minutes a few times daily. Doing so can help soften and unclog the blockage that’s causing the stye. Over time, it can also lead to drainage.
As you attempt to treat your stye at home, make every effort to keep your eyelids clean. You can use a soapy solution made from baby shampoo, water, or eyelid wipes to clean your eyelids throughout the day. That’s especially important if crust or discharge is coming from your eye.
While treating a stye, it’s a good idea to avoid eye makeup and contact lenses. Both can cause you to touch the inflamed area more than necessary and slow the healing process. If you can’t wear your contact lenses, try out the Top Frames from Pair! You just might make the switch permanent.
It’s also worth noting that a stye should go away by itself within one to two weeks, so if you’re hesitant to try any of these treatment methods, you can simply keep your eye clean and let it go away on its own.
When Should You See an Eye Doctor for a Stye?
If you’ve tried all the home remedies for your stye and nothing seems to work, it may be time to see an eye doctor.
Keep in mind that it’s usually not necessary to see a healthcare provider when you have a stye. However, if it doesn't improve after two days of home treatment, starts to bleed, affects your vision, or seems to be growing rapidly, you may need an eye exam to determine what’s wrong.
Once you’re at your eye doctor, they can examine your eye, assess your overall eye health, and ask you some questions about what you’ve been experiencing. From this exam, they’ll be able to diagnose the stye.
For more serious cases, your doctor may prescribe several different treatments. If the stye is large or impeding your vision, they may put the area under local anesthesia to drain it. Another treatment option is antibiotic ointment or antibiotic eye drops.
In cases where the infection has spread, or if it’s an internal stye, they may also prescribe oral antibiotics.
Finally, if the swelling around your eyelid is significant, your ophthalmologist may also recommend a steroid injection to reduce inflammation in the area. Along with these treatments, they’ll likely talk you through some basic eye care techniques that you can use while your eye is healing.
What Are the Risk Factors for Developing a Stye?
Although anyone can develop a stye, you may be more likely to see one form if you have had them in the past or if you have:
- Skin conditions like rosacea, acne, or dandruff
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Blepharitis (frequently inflamed eyelids)
Can You Prevent Styes?
The best thing you can do to make sure you don’t develop a stye is to keep your eyes and face as clean as possible. Wash your hands thoroughly before you touch your eyes or face, especially if you’re putting in or taking out contact lenses. If you’re a glasses wearer, make sure to clean your frames regularly.
It’s also a good idea to remove all makeup before going to bed. To keep things as clean as possible, try not to share products and replace your eye makeup every few months.
The Bottom Line
Of all the eye conditions that you can develop, styes are, thankfully, easy to treat and not very contagious.
At its most basic level, a stye is a pimple-like bump that can form near your eyelash on the edge of the eyelid. Styes are caused when the oil-producing glands in your eyelash follicle or eyelid skin become clogged, and a bacterial infection occurs.
Although they can be uncomfortable, at-home stye treatment is possible with warm compresses and good eye hygiene. If the stye doesn’t go away after a few days of home remedies, it’s a good idea to contact your eye doctor for more rigorous treatment.
For more info on all things eye care, check out other resources on our Pair blog.
Links:
Chalazion: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention & Treatments | Cleveland Clinic