Are Styes Contagious? What You Need to Know

You woke up with a tender, red bump on your eyelid, and now you're worried you'll pass it to your partner, your kids, or the person sitting next to you at work. Take a breath. A stye is not the kind of infection that jumps from one person to another.

The short answer searchers are looking for: a stye itself is not contagious. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, it's a local infection of the oil-producing glands in your eyelid, not a transmissible disease. That said, the bacteria that cause it can travel by way of shared towels, pillowcases, and makeup, so a few simple habits matter. Here's exactly what to know.

What Is a Stye, Exactly?

A stye, known medically as a hordeolum, is a small, painful bump that forms when one of the tiny oil glands near the base of your eyelashes becomes infected and inflamed. It can sit on the outside of the eyelid (external) or on the inner surface (internal), and it usually feels tender, looks red, and may swell over a day or two.

It's a bacterial infection. According to StatPearls (NIH), approximately 90 to 95 percent of styes are caused by Staphylococcus aureus, with Staphylococcus epidermidis the second most common culprit. These are common bacteria that many of us already carry on our skin, which is part of why a stye is best thought of as a local flare rather than something you catch from someone else.

So, Are Styes Contagious?

No. A stye does not spread from person to person the way a cold or pink eye can. The American Academy of Ophthalmology is clear that a stye is a localized infection of your own eyelid glands, not a transmissible disease. You don't need to stay home, and you won't give someone a stye just by being near them.

There's one important nuance. While the stye isn't contagious, the bacteria that caused it can move around. If you touch, squeeze, or rub the stye and then touch another part of your eye, you can spread the infection to a new spot on your own eyelid. And because those staph bacteria can hitch a ride on shared items, it's smart not to share eye-area products with others.

How the Bacteria Can Spread (and How to Stop It)

The risk isn't the stye traveling, it's the bacteria. Staph can transfer through shared towels, pillowcases, washcloths, and especially eye makeup. A few simple precautions go a long way:

• Wash your hands before and after touching your face or eyes
• Don't squeeze, pop, or rub the stye, which can spread bacteria and worsen it
• Use a fresh, clean washcloth and avoid sharing towels
• Skip eye makeup until the stye heals, and toss any product (mascara, eyeliner) used while it was active
• Change your pillowcase and don't share it
• Don't share eye drops, contact lens cases, or makeup with anyone else

How Long Does a Stye Last and How Is It Treated?

Most styes are self-limiting, meaning they clear up on their own, usually within about one to two weeks, often without any antibiotics. A typical hordeolum runs its course in roughly a week.

First-line treatment is a warm compress. Hold a clean, warm washcloth against the closed eyelid for about 10 to 15 minutes, three to four times a day. The warmth helps the gland drain and eases the soreness. Resist the urge to squeeze it. If a stye doesn't clear within about a week, a clinician can perform a minor drainage procedure. You also do not need to be excluded from work or school because of a stye.

When to See a Doctor

Most styes resolve quietly at home, but some situations call for a professional. As general guidance, reach out to a clinician if your stye hasn't improved within a few days of home care, or if it persists beyond one to two weeks.

Seek care sooner, and treat it as urgent, if you notice any of the following warning signs, which can point to a spreading or more serious infection:

• Severe or worsening pain
• Redness or swelling spreading beyond the eyelid onto the cheek or face
• Fever
• Changes in your vision
• Swelling that makes it hard to open the eye