A stye develops when a gland along the eyelid becomes infected, usually due to bacteria. Stress, by weakening the immune system, may contribute indirectly to the risk of developing one.

Styes are small, painful lumps that form on or near the edge of your eyelid. On lighter skin, they often appear red, while on darker skin tones, they may appear a different color but still cause swelling and discomfort.

Though the primary cause of a stye is bacterial, some evidence suggests stress might play a role in making infections more likely. This could explain why styes seem to occur more often during stressful times.

Read on to discover more about how stress might be involved in stye development, along with tips for treating and preventing them.

What Is a Stye?

A stye (medically called a hordeolum) resembles a pimple or boil and is typically filled with pus. It commonly appears on the outer part of either the upper or lower eyelid, though it can occasionally form on the inside as well. Usually, it affects only one eye at a time.

A stye develops when an oil gland near the eyelash becomes infected. These glands play an important role in keeping your eyes moist and protected.

The most common culprit behind this infection is Staphylococcus bacteria. This germ can be transferred to your eye if you touch your eyelid with unclean hands or if it’s present on items like contact lenses or eye makeup.

It’s worth noting that a stye can be mistaken for a chalazion, another kind of eyelid bump. However, unlike a stye, a chalazion forms from a blocked oil gland and is not caused by an infection.

Can Stress Trigger Styes?

There is no direct scientific proof that stress causes styes. However, if you notice that styes appear more frequently when you’re under stress or not sleeping well, you’re not alone. Eye doctors often observe this pattern in patients.

One possible explanation is that stress compromises the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to infections.

A 2017 study showed that certain stress hormones, such as norepinephrine, break down into substances like 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid (DHMA), which may help attract bacteria to infection-prone areas of the body.

In addition, poor sleep—commonly caused by stress—can further suppress immune function. Lack of rest weakens your body’s T cells, which are vital for fighting off infections.

Stress and fatigue can also affect your habits. You may skip washing off makeup or forget to clean your hands before touching your eyes—both of which raise your risk of infection.

Home Remedies for Styes

Most styes go away on their own within a few days and don’t usually need medical treatment. While it’s healing, avoid rubbing the area, and always wash your hands before touching your face or eyes.

You can try the following at-home treatments to ease discomfort and speed recovery:

• Place a warm, damp compress gently on the eye several times a day to reduce swelling and help drain the infection.

• Clean your eyelids with a mild, tear-free baby shampoo.

• Use a saline rinse to break down bacteria.

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) if the stye is painful.

Avoid wearing contact lenses or eye makeup until the stye is fully healed.

Tips to Prevent Styes

While there’s no guaranteed way to avoid styes entirely, these habits can significantly reduce your risk:

Do:

• Wash your hands before touching your eyes.

• Disinfect contact lenses properly.

• Aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.

• Change your pillowcase often.

• Practice stress reduction techniques like breathing exercises, yoga, or meditation.

Don’t:

• Rub or touch your eyes with dirty hands.

• Reuse disposable contact lenses or sleep in them.

• Use expired or shared makeup.

• Leave makeup on overnight.

When to Seek Medical Care

If your stye doesn’t begin to improve after a few days of home care, or if swelling worsens or spreads, it’s time to visit a doctor or an eye care specialist.

A physician can usually diagnose a stye by examining the eye. If necessary, they may prescribe antibiotic ointments or drops. In some cases, oral antibiotics might be needed, especially if the infection spreads or doesn’t respond to topical treatments.

Bottom Line

While there’s no definitive proof that stress directly causes styes, there is a strong connection between stress, weakened immunity, and a higher chance of infection. This makes it likely that stress can indirectly contribute to the development of styes.

You can lower your risk by maintaining good hygiene, getting enough rest, and managing stress. If a stye does appear, prompt home care and cleanliness can usually resolve it without medical intervention.