A stye is a small, painful lump that can pop up inside or outside your eyelid. It may look like a pimple at the base of your eyelashes. Styes under the eyelid may be less noticeable at first. But both can make your eyelid red, swollen, and tender to the touch. Your eye might feel scratchy and sore, too.
Other symptoms include crusting of the eyelid margins, droopiness of the eyelids, itchiness on the eyeball, sensitivity to light, tearing, a feeling that something is stuck to the eye, and discomfort when blinking.
Styes are usually self limiting, meaning they go away by themselves. Warm compresses may help accelerate the process by releasing the pus inside the stye, and reducing swelling. If a stye lasts for more than 2 weeks, medical intervention may be necessary. Avoid touching the eye with a stye, to keep bacteria off your hands, and remember to wash the hands regularly with soap, to prevent cross contamination (infecting your other eye).
