Are Stress and Styes Connected? Here’s What You Should Know
If you’ve ever had a stye, you know how irritating—and painful—it can be. That red, swollen bump that shows up on your eyelid always seems to appear at the worst possible time. And if you’ve noticed they tend to show up when you’re under stress or not sleeping well, you’re not alone.
While styes are caused by bacterial infections, there may be an indirect connection between your stress levels and your chances of getting one. Curious? Let’s explore the link between stress and styes, how to treat them at home, and what you can do to help prevent them in the future.
What Is a Stye, Exactly?
A stye (medically called a hordeolum) is a small, painful lump that usually forms along the edge of your eyelid, looking a bit like a pimple or boil. It’s typically filled with pus and caused by bacteria—most often Staphylococcus aureus—that infects the oil-producing glands in your eyelid.
These oil glands have an important job: they help keep your eyes lubricated. But when they become blocked or infected, a stye can develop. While most styes form on the outside of the eyelid, they can occasionally appear on the inner lid as well. And usually, only one eye is affected at a time.
It’s also worth noting that styes are sometimes mistaken for chalazia. While both cause lumps on the eyelid, a chalazion is not an infection but rather a blocked oil gland that doesn’t become red or pus-filled the way a stye does.
So… Can Stress Really Cause a Stye?
There’s no hard scientific proof that stress directly causes styes—but the relationship between stress and infection is more than just anecdotal. Many eye doctors and healthcare professionals observe that styes are more common in people going through periods of high stress or fatigue.
Why? It comes down to how stress affects your body.
When you’re stressed, your immune system takes a hit. This makes you more vulnerable to all kinds of infections, including those caused by bacteria that naturally live on your skin. If your immune defenses are down, it becomes easier for those bacteria to sneak into places they shouldn’t—like the tiny oil glands in your eyelid.
A 2017 study even found that stress hormones such as norepinephrine can be broken down into byproducts that may attract bacteria to areas of the body that are more prone to infection.
And here’s the kicker: stress also disrupts your sleep—and sleep is critical for a healthy immune system. Poor sleep affects your T cells (your body’s infection fighters), leaving you less able to fend off invaders. Combine that with rubbing your eyes or forgetting to remove eye makeup after a long, stressful day, and you’ve got the perfect storm for a stye.
Treating a Stye at Home
Most styes are harmless and heal on their own within a few days. That said, there are a few things you can do at home to speed up recovery and minimize discomfort:
- Warm compresses: Gently press a clean, warm (not hot) washcloth against the affected eyelid for 10 to 15 minutes, several times a day. This helps soften the blockage and encourages the stye to drain naturally.
- Eyelid hygiene: Use a tear-free baby shampoo diluted with water to gently clean your eyelids. This helps clear away bacteria and oil buildup.
- Saline solution: Applying a saline rinse to your eyelids can help reduce bacteria and promote healing.
- Pain relief: Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help ease swelling and discomfort.
- Avoid makeup and contacts: Until the stye has healed, skip eye makeup and contact lenses, which can further irritate your eye and spread bacteria.
Important: Never try to pop or squeeze a stye—this can spread the infection and make things worse.
Preventing Future Styes
While you can’t always prevent a stye, there are some simple habits that can lower your risk:
- Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes with dirty fingers.
- Remove eye makeup before bed—every single night.
- Clean your eyelids regularly if you wear eye makeup or have oily skin.
- Replace old makeup (especially eye products) every few months to avoid bacterial buildup.
- Disinfect contact lenses properly and never sleep in them unless prescribed.
- Manage your stress and make sleep a priority. Try relaxing techniques like yoga, deep breathing, or even a short daily walk.
When to See a Doctor
If your stye doesn’t improve after a few days of home care—or if it gets worse, becomes very swollen, or affects your vision—it’s time to call a doctor.
An eye specialist can usually diagnose a stye by examining your eye. If necessary, they might prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointments. In some cases, oral antibiotics may be needed, especially if the infection spreads or recurs frequently.
The Takeaway
Styes are uncomfortable and annoying, but they’re rarely serious. While stress might not cause a stye outright, it certainly doesn’t help. A lowered immune response from stress or poor sleep can make you more prone to these pesky eyelid infections.
The best strategy? Prioritize your well-being. Practice good eye hygiene, wash your hands often, and don’t underestimate the power of sleep and stress management. Your eyes—and your health—will thank you.
