A stye (hordeolum) is a tender red bump on the edge of the eyelid. It is an infection of a gland of the eyelid. The infection is most often caused by bacteria called staph (Staphylococcus aureus). The most common symptoms are redness and swelling of the eyelid.SkipNavigationCOVID-19UpdateWearevaccinatingpatientsages16+.Learnmore:Vaccines|Testing|PatientCare|VisitorGuidelines|Coronavirus|Self-Checker| EmailAlertsHealthHomeConditionsandDiseasesHordeolum(Stye)FacebookTwitterLinkedinPinterestPrintEyesWhatisastye?Astye(hordeolum)isatenderredbumpontheedgeofyoureyelid.Whatcausesastye?Astyehappenswhenaglandontheedgeofyoureyelidgetsinfected.Whenitoccursinsideorundertheeyelid,itiscalledaninternalhordeolum.Theinfectionismostoftencausedbyabacteriaorgermcalledstaph(Staphylococcusaureus).Whoisatriskforastye?Youaremorelikelytogetastyeifyou:HavehadonebeforeWearcontactlensesArenotkeepingyoureyeareacleanUseeyemakeupthatisoldorcontaminatedHaveothereyeconditionssuchasaninflamedorinfectedeyelid(blepharitis)Haveotherconditionssuchasrosacea,seborrheicdermatitis,ordiabetesWhatarethesymptomsofastye?Eachperson’ssymptomsmayvary.Symptomsmayinclude:Swelling,redness,pain,ortendernessoftheeyelidFeelinglikethereissomethinginyoureyeBeingbotheredbybrightlightTearingandcrustingoftheeyeThesymptomsofastyemaylooklikeotherhealthproblems.Alwaysseeyourhealthcareprovidertobesure.Howisastyediagnosed?Inmostcasesyourhealthcareproviderwillbeabletotellthatyouhaveastyebylookingatit.Youwillnotneedtotakeanytests.Howisastyetreated?Inmostcasesastyewillgoawayonitsown.Therearesomethingsyoucandototreatthestyeathome.Theseinclude:Puttingawarm,wetcloth(compress)onyoureyelidfor5to10minutes.Thisshouldbedone3to5timesaday.WashingyourhandsoftenWashingyourfacedaily,includingtheeyeareaNottouchingtheareaNotsqueezingthestyeNotwearingmakeupuntiltheinfectionhealsYourhealthcareprovidermayalso:Giveyouspecialbacteria-fighting(antibiotic)creamsorointmentstoputonthearea.Onlycertainonesaresafetousenearyoureyes.Referyoutoaneyespecialist(oph