How to Get Rid of a Stye Overnight: Relief & Next Steps for Women

If you woke up with a painful, red bump on your eyelid, you're probably wondering how to get rid of a stye overnight. The honest answer: you usually can't make a stye disappear completely in one night. But you can reduce swelling, ease pain, and help it heal faster with the right steps.

Here's what actually works, what to avoid, and when to seek medical care.

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What Is a Stye?

A stye (also called a hordeolum) is a small, painful lump that forms along the edge of your eyelid. It's usually caused by a bacterial infection in an oil gland or eyelash follicle.

Common symptoms include:

• A red, tender bump on the eyelid
• Swelling
• A feeling like something is in your eye
• Mild tearing
• Sensitivity to light
• Crusting along the eyelid

Styes are common, especially in women who wear eye makeup or contact lenses. Hormonal changes, stress, and poor eyelid hygiene can also contribute.

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How to Get Rid of a Stye Overnight (Or at Least Feel Better by Morning)

While you may not eliminate a stye in 8–12 hours, you can dramatically improve comfort and support faster healing.

1. Use Warm Compresses (This Is the #1 Treatment)

Warm compresses are the most effective home remedy.

Heat helps:

• Increase blood flow
• Soften clogged oil
• Encourage drainage
• Reduce swelling

How to do it:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Soak a clean washcloth in warm (not hot) water.
3. Wring it out.
4. Place it gently over your closed eye for 10–15 minutes.
5. Repeat 3–5 times per day.

For overnight relief, do a warm compress right before bed. This gives your body the best chance to reduce inflammation while you sleep.

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2. Gently Clean Your Eyelids

Keeping the area clean helps prevent the infection from worsening.

You can:

• Use diluted baby shampoo (tear-free) and warm water.
• Or use sterile eyelid cleansing wipes.

Gently clean along the lash line once or twice daily. Avoid scrubbing. Be gentle — the area is already irritated.

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3. Stop Wearing Eye Makeup

If you're trying to figure out how to get rid of a stye overnight, makeup needs to pause immediately.

Avoid:

• Mascara
• Eyeliner
• Eyeshadow
• False lashes

Makeup can:

• Trap bacteria
• Worsen the infection
• Delay healing

If the stye formed after using older makeup, consider throwing it away.

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4. Avoid Contact Lenses (Temporarily)

Switch to glasses until the stye clears. Contacts can:

• Irritate the eyelid
• Spread bacteria
• Increase inflammation

Use fresh, clean lenses once you restart.

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5. Don't Pop or Squeeze It

This is extremely important.

A stye is similar to a pimple, but squeezing it can:

• Push infection deeper
• Spread bacteria
• Cause more swelling
• Lead to complications

Let it drain naturally. Warm compresses will help it open safely on its own.

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6. Consider Over-the-Counter Relief

For discomfort:

• Use preservative-free artificial tears for irritation.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen if needed (unless medically contraindicated).

Antibiotic ointments are sometimes recommended, but they are not always necessary for simple styes. A doctor can advise you if symptoms worsen.

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How Long Does a Stye Last?

Most styes improve within:

• 2–3 days with proper care
• Fully resolve in about 7–10 days

You may see improvement overnight if the swelling reduces after warm compress treatment, but complete healing usually takes several days.

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When It's Not "Just a Stye"

Sometimes what looks like a stye may be something else, such as:

• A chalazion (a blocked oil gland without infection)
• Eyelid cellulitis (a more serious infection)
• An eye injury
• An allergic reaction

You should seek medical care if you notice:

• Rapidly worsening swelling
• Severe pain
• Vision changes
• Fever
• Redness spreading beyond the eyelid
• Difficulty opening your eye
• Symptoms lasting more than 10–14 days

If you're unsure what's going on or experiencing concerning symptoms around your eyes, using a free eye injuries symptom checker can help you understand whether you need immediate medical attention or if your symptoms are consistent with a common stye.

And if anything feels severe or unusual, speak to a doctor right away. Eye infections can become serious if left untreated.

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Why Women May Be More Prone to Styes

Women can be slightly more susceptible due to:

• Frequent eye makeup use
• Expired cosmetics
• Hormonal changes affecting oil glands
• Contact lens use
• Touching or rubbing eyes during makeup application

This doesn't mean you need to stop wearing makeup permanently. It just means hygiene matters.

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How to Prevent Future Styes

If you're searching for how to get rid of a stye overnight, you probably also want to avoid going through this again.

Here's how to reduce your risk:

Daily Habits

• Remove all eye makeup before bed.
• Wash your hands before touching your eyes.
• Replace mascara every 3 months.
• Avoid sharing makeup.

Weekly Habits

• Clean makeup brushes regularly.
• Wash pillowcases frequently.
• Clean eyelids gently if you're prone to oil buildup.

If You Get Recurrent Styes

Talk to a doctor. You may have:

• Blepharitis (chronic eyelid inflammation)
• Meibomian gland dysfunction
• An underlying skin condition like rosacea

Prescription treatments or medicated cleansers may help.

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Can You Speed It Up With Home Remedies?

You may see suggestions online like:

• Tea bags
• Coconut oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Garlic

These are not medically proven treatments and may irritate the eye further.

Stick with:

• Warm compresses
• Gentle cleaning
• Avoiding irritation

Simple, consistent care works best.

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What If It Bursts Overnight?

Sometimes a stye drains on its own while you sleep. You might notice:

• Crusting
• Reduced swelling
• Less pain

If this happens:

• Gently clean the area with warm water.
• Continue warm compresses for another day or two.
• Avoid makeup until fully healed.

If you see significant pus, spreading redness, or increased pain afterward, contact a healthcare professional.

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The Bottom Line

If you're wondering how to get rid of a stye overnight, here's the realistic truth:

• You likely won't erase it completely in one night.
• You can reduce swelling and discomfort significantly.
• Warm compresses are your best tool.
• Avoid makeup, contacts, and squeezing.
• Most styes heal within a week.

Pay attention to warning signs like vision changes, spreading redness, or severe pain. If symptoms feel intense or unusual, speak to a doctor promptly. Eye health is not something to ignore.

And if you're unsure whether it's truly a stye or something more serious, try using a free eye injuries symptom checker to get personalized guidance on whether your symptoms require immediate care or can be safely managed at home.

With proper care and a little patience, most styes resolve without complications.