Are styes in the eye contagious?

Styes are not contagious, but rather a local infection or inflammation of the oil-producing glands of the eyelids. Local treatment is usually warm compresses and most will resolve without antibiotics. Few will progress to significant eyelid infections marked by substantial swelling and pain. They may be recurrent in some people, possibly because of eyelid chemistry specific to a patient.

This question was originally answered on Mar. 10, 2014.