How to get rid of a stye overnight: Quick relief strategies

Did you wake up this morning with a gnarly red bump on your eyelid? Don't panic! Your new friend (okay, frenemy) is probably a stye, which is a painful bump that looks similar to a boil. Styes form when the oil glands in your eyelid get blocked with bacteria. These bumps generally aren't harmful, but they cause discomfort, leaving many people searching for effective stye relief.

Here's how to get rid of a stye without breaking a sweat:

1. Avoid rubbing your eyes or touching your face.

2. Stop wearing your contacts until the stye heals.

3. Try stye treatments at home.

How to treat a stye

Now that you know what causes eye styes, it's time to tackle the problem. You don't need to perform feats of strength or make a sacrifice to the eye care gods. Just follow these tips for stye self-care:

• Keep your hands and eyelids clean.

• Avoid wearing makeup.

• Stop wearing your contacts.

If home treatment for an eye stye doesn't work within 48 hours, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or an eye care professional. You should also seek medical attention if the redness extends into other parts of your face or if your entire eyelid begins to swell.

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What not to do

You're probably wondering, "Can I pop a stye?" Absolutely not — you might make it angry! In all seriousness, popping a stye can cause the infection to spread, making the problem even worse.

Touching your eyes is also a no-no. Every time you touch something, bacteria has a chance to hitch a ride on your hands. If you touch your face frequently, bacteria can easily travel to your eyelids, causing frequent styes.

Still not sure about how to get rid of a stye fast? Follow these simple steps:

1. Don't scrub your eyelid or wash the affected area with harsh soaps.

2. Avoid wearing contacts. If the stye is on the inside of your eyelid, it can rub against your lenses, causing additional discomfort.

3. Don't apply cosmetics until the stye clears up. The less you touch your face, the better off you'll be.

What to do

If you're wondering how to make a stye go away, you're not alone. Follow these tips for quick stye relief:

• Wash your hands frequently with hot, soapy water, especially before you touch your eyelids or use eye drops.

• Apply a warm compress to the affected eyelid. Massage gently to help the stye drain. Think soft caresses, not Incredible Hulk-like kneading.

• Keep the area clean. Remember, bacteria are the enemy. You need to keep germs away from your eyes.

OTC stye treatments 

Many people turn to over-the-counter remedies when they're learning how to make a stye go away fast. If the stye is causing discomfort, consider using acetaminophen or another OTC pain reliever. These medications relieve pain and reduce swelling.

If you take prescription drugs or have a chronic health condition, we highly recommend consulting with your PCP before using an OTC stye treatment. Some products can interact with other medications or make your health condition worse.

Another option is to use an ointment formulated for stye relief. Stye™ is a sterile ointment made to reduce itching, stinging, and burning. It also lubricates the affected area to minimize irritation. Stye® isn't an antibiotic, so it won't kill the bacteria responsible for your stye, but it can keep you comfortable while you heal.

Bausch + Lomb also makes an eye wash called Advanced Eye Relief®. It's an irrigating solution, so it washes away tiny particles, leaving your eyes feeling refreshed. Advanced Eye Relief relieves burning, stinging, itching, irritation, and discomfort.

Natural stye remedies and treatments at home

If natural remedies are your jam, you're in luck. When you need to know how to get rid of a stye ASAP, try soaking a tea bag in warm water, squeezing out the excess moisture, and placing the wet tea bag over your eye. Make sure the water isn't too hot!

A warm tea bag feels great, but it also contains compounds that can ease stye symptoms. For example, black tea contains tannins, which reduce swelling and irritation. Tannins also have antibacterial properties, so they may help get rid of the bacteria responsible for your stye.

If you don't have black tea on hand, try making a compress with chamomile or rosemary in it. Just wrap the ingredients in a clean cloth, tie it closed, and soak the cloth in warm water. Then, place the wet cloth over your eye.

Stye relief drops

If you're still experiencing discomfort, try eye drops made specifically for styes. These drops lubricate the eyes, so they're helpful for relieving discomfort. Be sure to wash your hands before applying the drops or you might transfer more bacteria to your face. The last thing you need is for your stye to get bigger!

Wondering what eye drops to use for a stye? The same company that makes Stye™ ointment also makes a sterile eye drop. These drops lubricate the eyes, easing stinging, burning, and itching.

Can you use stye drops with contacts?

It's best to avoid wearing contacts when you have a stye, so you shouldn't use stye drops with contacts. Inserting and removing lenses requires you to touch your face, which could make your symptoms worse.

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How long does it take a stye to go away?

A stye usually lasts for 1 to 2 weeks, but yours may go away faster if you use warm compresses, eye drops, or other home remedies. If you're worried about how to get rid of a stye fast, be sure you don't touch your face unnecessarily.

How to get rid of a stye overnight

There's no way to get rid of a stye overnight, as it takes time for the infection to heal. It would be great if you could snap your fingers and make your bumpy little friend go POOF! Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way. The good news is that your stye should go away after a week or two as long as you wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and try effective home remedies.

If your stye causes discomfort, consider taking over-the-counter pain relievers or applying warm compresses to the affected eye. Remember to seek medical attention if your entire eyelid swells or if the redness spreads from your stye to other parts of your face.

Once you're ready to wear contacts again, 1-800 Contacts can help you find your preferred brand. We even offer online eye exams to make it easier to renew your prescription. Visit our website today to learn more.

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Original publish date: 2/7/2024

Updated date: 6/2/2025