Eyelid bumps can be many things, but they are often associated with a bacterial infection with abscess formation (a collection of pus, like a pimple) in the glands of the eyelid. This is called a stye.

These meibomian glands are structures in the eyelid that create oils for lubricating the surface of the eye, enhancing comfort and improving vision.  When an oil gland is blocked, it can cause the oil to stagnate, which may begin to increase the bacterial load within the gland, causing a painful bump on the eyelid.

Although there are many types of eyelid bumps, we'll specifically be discussing styes in this article.

• Tender or painful eyelids
• Redness of the surrounding skin
• Discharge/mucous coming from the area
• Nodule, or bump, formation
• A pimple on the eyelid

Using an eye drop is not the best method to soothe an eyelid bump for a few reasons. The first being that they occur on the EYELID and not on the EYE.

The second being that an eye drop does not maintain contact with the eyelid area for that long, therefore not making as much of an impact as other methods.

Your body’s natural defenses can often resolve a stye without the need for special medication, but keeping your eyelids clean is among the most helpful things you can do to help support your body’s natural response to these painful eyelid bumps. Keeping your eyelids clean also helps support your body’s normal defenses against these bumps coming back.  

Using an eyelid cleanser twice daily (think of it like brushing your teeth for your eyes) is where you should start.  If you find that your eyes' defenses need more support to fight a stye than a cleanser can give, make sure to see your eye doctor for an evaluation.

Below are our top five tips for dealing with a stye:

Released in June 2017, Heyedrate Lid & Lash Cleanser is one of the first over-the-counter hypochlorous acid eyelid cleansers.  

This natural, non-detergent based spray is perfect for deep cleaning the skin, which makes it great for use while you have a stye. You want to make sure to keep that area clean!

This is our "go-to" product as it is very gentle and we have had great success with our patients.

Shelf Life: 2 year shelf life after manufacture date

Although I know you're wishing I had an eye drop recommendation for your stye, unfortunately eye drops don't always work well to treat them.  However, keeping your facial and eyelid skin clean can play an important role in helping your body’s natural defenses control conditions like styes that are often caused by dirt and debris clogging necessary glandular drainage.

We love the Heyedrate Foaming Face Wash because it contains minimal ingredients and it's gentle on your skin. We recommend washing your face twice daily while dealing with a stye.

There are over-the-counter stye ointments you can find at your pharmacy to help provide temporary soothing relief while your body’s natural defenses work to resolve your stye. You could grab one of those or use something similar – just make sure the product is intended for use in or around the eye to avoid additional problems.

After washing your face and cleansing with an eyelid wipe or hypochlorous acid eyelid cleanser, pull out the affected eyelid and squeeze about a quarter-inch of ointment inside.  Or you can just apply it to the outside of your eyelid for ease. 

If you need healing help, such as an antibiotic, for a particularly bad stye, you'll need to see your eye doctor. You should also consult a doctor and discontinue use of any ointment if you experience eye pain, changes in vision, continued redness or irritation of the eye, or if the condition worsens or persists for more than 72 hours. 

5. Not A Drop But...A Warm Compress

Don't forget to apply a warm compress to your eyelid for additional temporary soothing relief.  The one we've linked here even comes with a removable cover for easy cleaning.  With painful eyelid bumps, make sure to keep the area clean, heat it up with a warm compress, and see your doctor if it gets worse or you see no improvement.

NEVER, EVER pop the bump on your eyelid.  This can spread the infection and involve the entire eye area.

It is always a good idea to have your stye looked at by an eye care practitioner. If the infection is bad enough, oral or topical antibiotics may need to be prescribed.