Are Styes Contagious? What You Can and Cannot Pass On

Are Styes Contagious? What You Can and Cannot Pass On

A stye (hordeolum) is a common eyelid bump that forms when oil glands or hair follicles become infected, usually with Staphylococcus bacteria. Many people worry about spreading a stye or catching one from someone else. In most cases, styes themselves are not directly contagious, but the bacteria that cause them can be shared if proper hygiene isn’t followed. Here’s what you need to know about transmission, prevention and treatment.

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What Is a Stye?

• External stye
  • Infection of an eyelash follicle or nearby oil gland (Zeis or Moll)
  • Appears as a red, tender bump at the edge of the eyelid

• Internal stye
  • Infection of a deeper oil gland (Meibomian gland)
  • Often feels like a painful lump under the eyelid

• Common causes
  • Staphylococcus bacteria on the skin
  • Rubbing or touching the eyes with unwashed hands
  • Blocked oil glands from makeup, debris or oil build-up

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Are Styes Contagious?

When people ask “are styes contagious?” they usually mean:

1. Can I catch a stye from someone else?
2. Can I give someone else a stye if I have one?

Key point: Styes themselves (the bump) are not like a cold or the flu—you won’t “catch” the lump. But you can share the underlying bacteria that trigger an infection.

How Bacteria Spread

• Touching or rubbing your infected eye, then touching another person’s eye or skin
• Sharing towels, washcloths, pillowcases or eye makeup
• Using contaminated warm compresses on multiple people

What You Can Pass On

• Staphylococcus bacteria that may lead to styes or other skin infections
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye) if bacteria get into the clear membrane covering the eye
• Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation) if oil glands stay clogged

What You Cannot Pass On

• A fully formed stye bump like a virus—you won’t “catch” someone’s stye directly
• Any hereditary predisposition—styes are not genetic

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Preventing Spread and Future Styes

Good hygiene is the single best defense against sharing the bacteria that cause styes.

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after touching your eyes
• Avoid rubbing or squeezing a stye—this can spread bacteria under the skin
• Use a fresh, clean towel and pillowcase daily when you have an active stye
• Don’t share eye cosmetics, brushes, or applicators
• Discard old eye makeup every 3–6 months or immediately if you develop an eye infection
• Clean eyelid margins gently with a diluted baby shampoo or a commercial lid scrub

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Treating a Stye

Most styes improve on their own within 5–7 days. You can speed healing and ease discomfort with these steps:

1. Warm compresses
   • Apply a clean, warm (not hot) compress to the eyelid for 5–10 minutes
   • Repeat 3–4 times a day to help the stye drain naturally

2. Gentle massage
   • After a compress, softly massage the eyelid toward the lash line to encourage drainage
   • Always wash your hands before and after

3. Over-the-counter ointments
   • Use a mild antibiotic ointment (bacitracin or erythromycin) if recommended by a pharmacist or doctor
   • Apply sparingly to the eyelid margin only

4. Avoid contact lenses and makeup
   • Switch to glasses until the stye resolves
   • Discard any eye makeup you used during the infection

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When to See a Doctor

Most styes are harmless, but get medical help if you notice:

• Increasing redness or swelling spreading beyond the eyelid
• Vision changes or severe eye pain
• Pus draining into your eye continually
• Multiple styes forming at once
• Fever or signs of systemic illness

If you’re unsure whether your symptoms could signal something more serious, consider a free, online symptom check, using the doctor approved Ubie Symptom Checker. It can help you decide if you need in-person care.

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Speak to a Doctor

While styes typically resolve without major complications, always speak to a doctor about any eye issue that is:

• Severe or rapidly worsening
• Causing significant pain or vision loss
• Accompanied by fever or signs of infection spreading

Your eye health matters. If you ever feel uncertain or your symptoms don’t improve, reach out for professional medical advice right away.