Conditions
Stye: what it is, how it heals and when to see a doctor
A stye is a red, painful bump on the edge of the eyelid, caused by a blocked gland that gets infected. It usually gets better on its own within a few days with warm compresses, and you should never squeeze it. Because it is diagnosed by looking at it, the doctor can assess it well by video in Puerto Rico and, if appropriate, prescribe treatment.
Is it an emergency? Call 911.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Swelling or redness spreading around the eye, with fever
- Pain when moving the eye
- Blurry or double vision, or a bulging eye
- A child with a very swollen eyelid and fever
Help lines
At a glance
Stye
Common symptoms
- A red, swollen, painful bump on the edge of the eyelid
- A spot of pus in the center
- A gritty feeling in the eye
- Sensitivity to light
- A watery eye
- Other names
- Sty · Hordeolum
- Treatment
- Warm compresses; an antibiotic ointment only when the medical evaluation calls for it
- Possible complication
- Chalazion or cellulitis around the eye
On this page(8)
What is a stye?
The eyelid has tiny oil glands. According to MedlinePlus, a stye forms when one of those glands gets blocked and bacteria grow inside it. It shows up as a red, swollen, painful bump on the edge of the eyelid, often with a spot of pus.
A chalazion looks similar but is different: it is a firm bump that is not painful, farther back on the eyelid, caused by a blocked gland without infection. Sometimes a chalazion is left behind after a stye heals.
How we treat a stye by video
You see Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, a Puerto Rico–licensed general practice physician with several years of emergency-department experience, in English or Spanish. A stye is diagnosed by looking at it: with good light and the camera close, the doctor sees the bump, the eyelid and the eye, and asks whether it hurts, whether you see clearly and whether it hurts to move your eye.
She explains how to use warm compresses and, if appropriate, prescribes a treatment, such as an antibiotic ointment, and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. If the bump doesn’t go away in several weeks or needs draining, we refer you to an ophthalmologist in person. If your eye is red with discharge, see pink eye.
This is online urgent care for non-emergencies. We see adults and children of all ages; you need to be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit, and visitors are welcome.
Your doctor
Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD
General practice physician
Several years of emergency-department experience.
Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative.
Your visit in 3 steps
Request a visit online 24/7 — we confirm your time by email or text.
Request your visit.
Book a visit and choose "Doctor visit". You pay by card when you request it.
See the doctor by video.
We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer. Face a window or a lamp so your eyelid is easy to see.
Get your plan.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. If needed, we refer you in person.
What a stye visit costs
A stye is handled in a US$79 doctor visit, the same price for every age, with no membership. You pay by card when you request the visit, and you get a full refund if the visit can’t take place. We do not bill insurance. See all prices. The service is run by The Health Initiative, a nonprofit.
Stye symptoms
The most common symptoms, according to MedlinePlus and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, are:
- A red, swollen, painful bump on the edge of the eyelid
- A spot of pus in the center
- A gritty feeling in the eye
- Sensitivity to light
- A watery eye
How to get rid of a stye: warm compresses first
The main treatment is heat. MedlinePlus recommends a warm, wet cloth over the eye for 10 minutes, 4 times a day; the American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests 10 to 15 minutes, 3 to 5 times a day. For a chalazion, gently massaging the eyelid after the compress helps it drain.
- Don’t squeeze or pop it. Let it drain on its own; squeezing can spread the infection.
- Skip eye makeup and contact lenses until it heals.
- Wash your hands before touching your eyes.
- If compresses don’t help, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment, if appropriate.
- A chalazion that doesn’t go away in about a month may need an injection or drainage, which is done in person.
When to see a doctor and when to go to the ER
According to MedlinePlus, see a doctor if the bump gets worse or doesn’t improve within 1 to 2 weeks, becomes very large or painful, the whole eyelid or eye turns red, it bleeds, or styes keep coming back. If they keep recurring, the American Academy of Ophthalmology advises an exam by an ophthalmologist.
For your safety, go to the emergency room the same day if swelling or redness spreads around the eye with fever, it hurts to move your eye, the eye bulges, or your vision is blurry or double. These can be signs of orbital cellulitis, a deep infection that MedlinePlus calls a medical emergency, especially in children. See when to go to the ER.
How we care for you
We evaluate, diagnose and treat; if needed, we give you a lab order for a lab near you.
We see adults and children of all ages. Patients under 21: a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian is on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID.
Real-time video visit. We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. We do not prescribe controlled substances.
You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors, tourists and cruise passengers are welcome).
In an emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a stye last?
Can I pop a stye?
What is the difference between a stye and a chalazion?
Can I get a stye treated by telehealth?
About this page
Author: The Health Initiative
Medical care provided by Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD (PR license 24027)
Disclosure: Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative
Published: 2026-10-02 · Updated: 2026-10-02
Sources (4)
- Eyelid bump (stye) (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Chalazion (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Orbital cellulitis (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- What Are Chalazia and Styes? (American Academy of Ophthalmology) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)