What is the treatment for an external hordeolum (stye)?

An external stye (hordeolum) can be effectively treated at home with warm compresses applied to the affected eyelid for 10-15 minutes, 4-6 times daily. This helps bring the stye to a head and promotes drainage. Gently cleansing the eyelid margins with diluted baby shampoo on a clean washcloth can help remove debris and bacteria. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (400mg every 6-8 hours) or acetaminophen (500-1000mg every 6 hours) can reduce discomfort. Avoid wearing eye makeup, contact lenses, and touching or squeezing the stye during healing. If the stye persists beyond 1-2 weeks, worsens, affects vision, or spreads to other areas, medical attention is needed. A healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotic ointments like erythromycin or bacitracin for bacterial infection, or in severe cases, oral antibiotics such as doxycycline (100mg twice daily for 7 days). Persistent styes might require incision and drainage by an eye specialist. Warm compresses work by increasing blood circulation to the area, which helps the body's immune system fight the infection while softening the hardened sebum in the blocked gland.