From the Guidelines
To treat a stye, warm compresses should be applied to the affected eyelid for 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times daily, as this helps bring the stye to a head and promotes drainage, according to the most recent guidelines on blepharitis treatment 1. When treating a stye, it is essential to keep the area clean by gently washing your eyelids with mild soap and water or using over-the-counter eyelid cleansers.
- Avoid wearing eye makeup and contact lenses until the stye resolves.
- For pain relief, take over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen 200-400mg every 6 hours or acetaminophen 500-1000mg every 6 hours as needed. If the stye doesn't improve within a week, becomes increasingly painful, affects your vision, or spreads to other areas, see a healthcare provider.
- They may prescribe antibiotic ointments like erythromycin or bacitracin, which have been shown to provide some symptomatic relief and decrease bacteria from the eyelid margin in cases of anterior blepharitis 1. Never squeeze or pop a stye yourself as this can spread the infection. Styes occur when oil glands in the eyelid become infected with bacteria, typically Staphylococcus, causing inflammation and a painful bump. Most styes resolve on their own within 7-10 days with proper home care, and topical treatments like warm compresses and eyelid cleansing can help manage symptoms and prevent recurrence, as recommended in the blepharitis preferred practice pattern 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Directions adults and children 2 years of age and older: clean the affected area apply a small amount of this product (an amount equal to the surface area of the tip of a finger) on the area 1 to 3 times daily may be covered with a sterile bandage children under 2 years of age: ask a doctor
The bacitracin (TOP) drug label does not provide specific information on stye treatment.
- The label provides general directions for application, but does not mention stye explicitly.
- For stye treatment, the label does not offer any guidance 2.