How Do I Get Rid of a Stye in One Day?

A stye is a small, red, painful lump that forms at the base of an eyelash or inside the eyelid and is caused by infection. It takes three to five days for a stye to go away, and sometimes up to one or two weeks. Home remedies for a stye include placing a warm compress over the eye, gently massaging the area with a clean finger, and avoiding contacts and makeup until it goes away.

A stye (hordeolum) is a small, red, painful lump that forms at the base of an eyelash or under the eyelid. 

There are two kinds of styes:

• External hordeolum
  • Begins at the base of an eyelash
  • Usually caused by an infection in the hair follicle
• Internal hordeolum
  • Forms inside the eyelid
  • Often caused by infection of an oil-producing gland in the eyelid

A stye is not the same as a chalazion, which also causes a lump on the eyelid. A chalazion is not tender or painful, is not caused by an infection, and it lasts longer than a stye.

Home remedies can help relieve symptoms and help the stye go away more quickly, though it may not be possible to get rid of a stye in one day. It usually takes between three to five days for a stye to go away, though in some cases it can take a week or two.

Home treatment for a stye includes: 

• Warm, wet compress
  • Soak a clean washcloth in hot water and hold it to the eyelid for 10 to 15 minutes
  • Use a compress three to five times each day
• Gently massage around the area of the stye with a clean finger to help the gland clear itself 
• Avoid:
  • Squeezing or popping a stye, spread the infection into the eyelid and make the stye worse
  • Wearing eye makeup or contact lenses until the stye is healed

If a stye doesn’t improve within 48 hours or symptoms worsen, see a doctor. Medical treatment for a stye includes: 

• Antibiotics for infection
• A procedure to drain the stye