Are styes contagious? No. You usually cannot catch a stye by sitting next to someone, hugging them, kissing them, or looking at their eye.
However, the bacteria linked to a stye can sometimes move from one person to another through hands, towels, pillowcases, makeup, or other items that touch the eyes. This is why basic hygiene is still important when you have a stye. If you or someone in your family has a stye, there is usually no need to panic or stay in a separate room.
But there are a few simple things you should do to avoid spreading bacteria and irritating the eye.
What Is a Stye?
A stye, also called a hordeolum, is a small, painful lump that develops on or inside the eyelid. It can look a little like a pimple. The eyelid may become red, swollen and sore. Sometimes, a small white or yellow spot filled with pus can appear near the base of an eyelash.
Styes usually happen when a tiny oil gland or eyelash follicle becomes blocked and infected. A type of bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus is commonly involved. These bacteria can normally live on your skin or in your nose without causing any problems. So why does a stye happen?
Sometimes bacteria get into a blocked gland or hair follicle. The body's immune system reacts to the infection, causing redness, swelling and pain.
There are two common types of styes:
External stye: This develops near the base of an eyelash and is usually easy to see.
Internal stye: This develops deeper inside the eyelid and can cause more swelling and discomfort.
Most styes are minor and get better on their own.
Are Styes Contagious?
Are stye contagious? No, styes are generally not contagious. You do not normally get a stye just because you were around someone who had one. For example, if your friend has a stye, you can sit beside them in class. You can talk to them. You don't need to avoid them.
The confusing part is that bacteria can be transferred. A person with a stye may touch their eyelid, especially if it is itchy or uncomfortable. Bacteria from the area can get onto their hands. If they then touch a towel, pillowcase, makeup brush or another object, bacteria may be left on that item.
Another person could touch the same item and then rub their eye. Could they develop a stye?
Possibly, but it is not guaranteed.
Simply coming into contact with the bacteria does not mean you will get a stye. Many people already carry these bacteria on their skin without developing an infection.
Other things, such as blocked eyelid glands, eyelid inflammation and frequent eye rubbing, can also play a role. So there is an important difference:
The stye itself is not considered contagious, but bacteria associated with the stye can be transferred. That is why hygiene matters.
Are styes contagious From Someone Else?
It is possible to transfer the bacteria involved in a stye, but getting a stye from another person is not the usual way styes develop.
The bacteria that commonly cause styes are already common on human skin. For example, imagine that you touch your nose and then rub your eye. You may transfer bacteria from your skin to your eyelid. If a gland is blocked or irritated, those bacteria can sometimes cause an infection.
This can happen without you ever being near someone with a stye. So don't assume that a new stye means somebody "gave" it to you. At the same time, it is still smart to avoid sharing personal items that touch the eyes. Does this mean: Are styes contagious? No, not in all cases.
Are styes contagious in the same person?
Are styes contagious in the same person? Usually, a stye stays in the eyelid where it started. A stye does not normally spread from one eye to the other. However, touching the infected eyelid and then rubbing your other eye can transfer bacteria. This is one reason you should wash your hands regularly when you have a stye.
For example:
You touch the swollen eyelid.
Bacteria get onto your fingers.
You rub your other eye without washing your hands.
Bacteria may be transferred to the other eyelid.
This does not mean that you will definitely develop another stye.
The best thing you can do is simple: wash your hands and try not to rub your eyes.
Stye Vs Pink Eye
No. A stye affects the eyelid, while pink eye, also called conjunctivitis, affects the thin layer covering the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids.
Feature |
Stye |
Pink eye |
Main area affected |
Eyelid |
Surface of the eye |
Common appearance |
Painful lump or bump |
Red or pink eye |
Pain |
Usually tender |
May feel irritated or itchy |
Discharge |
May contain pus |
Watery or sticky discharge may occur |
Contagious? |
Generally no |
Depends on the cause |
Main problem |
Eyelid gland or follicle infection |
Inflammation of the conjunctiva |
If you are not sure what you have, an ophthalmologist can help identify the problem.
Stye vs. Chalazion
No. A chalazion can look similar to a stye, but the two conditions are different.
Feature |
Stye |
Chalazion |
Cause |
Usually an acute infection |
Blocked oil gland |
Pain |
Usually painful |
Often painless |
Appearance |
Red, tender bump |
Firm lump |
Contagious |
No |
No |
Typical location |
Often near eyelashes |
Often deeper in eyelid |
A lump that stays for a long time may not be a stye at all. If you are unsure, get it checked.
Why Do People Get Styes?
Styes can happen to almost anyone. Some people, however, may be more likely to get them.
Touching or rubbing your eyes
Your hands come into contact with many surfaces during the day. Touching your eyes without washing your hands can transfer bacteria.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is inflammation around the edges of the eyelids. People with blepharitis may be more likely to develop styes.
Blocked eyelid glands
The eyelids contain tiny oil glands. If these glands become blocked, problems such as styes or chalazia can occur.
Old eye makeup
Old makeup can collect bacteria. Using it around your eyes may increase the chance of irritation or infection.
Poor contact lens hygiene
Touching contact lenses with dirty hands or not cleaning them properly can increase the risk of eye problems.
Certain health conditions
Some people with conditions such as diabetes may be more prone to infections. If you keep getting styes again and again, don't assume that you are simply unlucky. There may be an underlying eyelid problem that needs attention.
Common Misconceptions About Styes
Are styes contagious? is the biggest misconception. Let us now discuss a few more.
Having a stye can make you unsure about what you should or should not do around other people. In most cases, you do not need to change your daily routine or isolate yourself. However, a few simple precautions can help prevent the transfer of bacteria.
1. You Can Usually Go to Work or School
A stye generally does not mean you need to stay home from work or school. Since styes are not usually contagious, you can continue your normal activities if you feel well enough. Just remember to:
Wash your hands regularly.
Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.
Don't share towels or washcloths.
Don't share eye makeup.
Wash your hands before applying eye drops or other medicines.
If your eyelid is very swollen or painful, you may choose to stay home and rest. This is because you are uncomfortable, not because you need to isolate yourself.
2. You Can Hug or Kiss Someone
Having a stye does not mean you need to avoid your partner, friends or family. A stye is not normally spread through hugging, kissing or ordinary social contact. The main concern is transferring bacteria from the affected eye. For example, touching your eye and then touching another person's face without washing your hands could potentially transfer bacteria.
So, keep your hands clean and normal contact is usually fine.
3. You Don't Need to Sleep in a Separate Room
A stye usually does not require you to sleep separately from other people. You can generally sleep beside your partner or family member. If the stye is draining, use a clean pillowcase and avoid sharing face towels. There is also no need to disinfect your entire bedroom. Regular cleaning and good hygiene are enough.
4. Avoid Sharing Towels
Although a stye itself is not considered contagious, bacteria from an infected or draining stye can potentially get onto towels. It is better to use your own:
Face towel
Washcloth
Hand towel
Pillowcase
Wash these items regularly, especially if they come into contact with your face or eyes.
5. Be Careful With Eye Makeup
A stye does not spread through makeup like a cold spreads through the air. However, eye makeup and makeup tools can collect bacteria.
Mascara, eyeliner and makeup brushes come close to your eyes. Using them while you have an active stye may irritate the area or contaminate the product. It is better to avoid eye makeup until the stye has healed. Never share mascara, eyeliner or makeup brushes with another person.
If a product was used directly around the infected eye, consider replacing it, especially if it is old.
6. Give Your Contact Lenses a Break
If you wear contact lenses, it is usually better to avoid them while you have an active stye or significant eyelid irritation. Putting in and removing contact lenses requires touching the eye, which can irritate the affected area. Ask your eye-care professional when you can safely start wearing them again.
When handling contact lenses, always wash your hands first and follow the recommended cleaning instructions.
7. You Don't Need to Isolate Yourself
A stye usually does not mean you need to stay away from people.
You can generally go to work or school, spend time with your family, hug someone and sleep beside your partner. The main precautions are about reducing the transfer of bacteria, not avoiding people. Keep your hands clean, avoid rubbing your eyes, don't share towels or eye makeup, and give your eyes a break from contact lenses while the stye heals.
Consult a internal medicine specialist
How Can You Prevent a Stye?
You cannot prevent every stye, but a few habits can lower your risk.
Wash your hands
Use soap and water, especially before touching your eyes.
This is even more important when you already have a stye.
Don't rub your eyes
If your eye feels itchy, try to avoid rubbing it.
If you have to touch your eye for any reason, wash your hands first.
Remove eye makeup before sleeping
Leaving mascara or eyeliner around your eyes overnight can irritate the eyelids.
Make removing makeup part of your bedtime routine.
Don't share eye makeup
Never share mascara, eyeliner or makeup brushes.
Even if the other person looks completely healthy.
Keep towels clean
Wash face towels and pillowcases regularly.
Take care of contact lenses
Follow the cleaning and replacement instructions given by your eye-care professional or lens manufacturer.
Keep your eyelids clean
If you have blepharitis or frequent styes, ask an eye-care professional about a suitable eyelid-cleaning routine.
What Should You Do If You Have a Stye?
Most uncomplicated styes can be managed at home.
One of the most commonly recommended measures is a warm compress.
Take a clean cloth and soak it in comfortably warm water. Close your eye and gently place the cloth over the eyelid for about 10 to 15 minutes.
You can repeat this several times a day.
The warmth may help loosen blocked material and encourage the stye to drain naturally.
The cloth should be warm, not very hot. The skin around the eye is delicate and can burn easily.
You should also:
Keep your hands clean.
Avoid rubbing the eye.
Avoid squeezing the stye.
Avoid popping it.
Avoid eye makeup until it improves.
Avoid sharing towels or eye products.
Do not try to pop a stye like a pimple.
It can be tempting, especially when you see a white spot. But squeezing it can irritate the area and may spread infection into nearby tissue.
Do You Need Antibiotics for a Stye?
Not always. Many simple styes improve with warm compresses and good eyelid hygiene.
An antibiotic may sometimes be prescribed when a healthcare professional thinks it is needed. The treatment depends on where the infection is, how severe it is and whether surrounding tissue is affected.
You should not use leftover antibiotic eye drops from an old eye infection without medical advice. The medicine that helped another eye problem may not be appropriate for your current problem.
How Long Does a Stye Last?
Many styes improve within a few days and clear up within about 1 to 2 weeks.
Sometimes a lump can take longer to completely disappear, particularly if it is actually a chalazion. If the lump continues for several weeks, keeps coming back, or becomes more painful, have it examined.
A stye that is not improving may need a closer look to make sure it is actually a stye.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Most styes are harmless, but you should get medical advice if you notice warning signs. See a healthcare professional if:
Your vision changes.
Your eye becomes very painful.
Your eyelid becomes extremely swollen.
Swelling spreads around the eye.
You develop a fever.
The redness keeps spreading.
The pain becomes worse instead of better.
The stye does not improve after several days.
The lump remains for several weeks.
You keep getting styes.
You are not sure whether the lump is a stye.
Seek urgent medical attention if you have vision changes, severe eye pain, rapidly worsening swelling, or significant redness and swelling around the eye. These symptoms can sometimes indicate a more serious infection around the eye.
What Happens If a Stye Bursts?
Sometimes a stye opens and drains on its own. This can actually be part of the normal healing process. If it happens, don't squeeze the remaining lump.
Instead:
Wash your hands.
Gently clean away any discharge with a clean cloth or tissue.
Wash your hands again.
Keep the area clean.
Avoid touching or rubbing the eye.
Don't share the towel or cloth that you used to clean the eye. If the swelling or pain gets worse after the stye drains, contact a healthcare professional.
References
- Cleveland Clinic. Stye (Sty): What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. · source
Frequently asked questions
Can a stye spread to the other eye?
Usually, no. But touching the infected eyelid and then rubbing the other eye can transfer bacteria. Wash your hands and avoid rubbing your eyes.
Can a stye cause blindness?
A simple stye usually does not cause vision loss. However, vision changes or severe swelling around the eye should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
