Do Styes Go Away on Their Own?

Styes and chalazia are lumps in or along the edge of an eyelid. They may be painful or annoying, but they are rarely serious. Most will go away on their own without treatment. A stye is an infection that causes a tender red lump on the eyelid.

How long does a stye take to go away?

In most cases you won't need treatment for a stye. It'll get smaller and go away on its own in two to five days. If you need treatment, antibiotics will normally clear up a stye in three days to a week. A healthcare provider will need to prescribe them to you.

What happens if a stye is left untreated?

If left untreated, a stye can result in the formation of a chalazion. Do not attempt to squeeze or drain the chalazion as it may require treatment for proper healing.

Sarah Jenkins

Sarah Jenkins

Senior Technology Editor & AI Specialist

Sarah Jenkins is a veteran tech journalist with over 12 years of experience covering artificial intelligence, mobile innovations, and digital ethics. Her insights have appeared in leading technology publications worldwide.