How Do You Get Rid Of A Stye?

A stye is a red, pimple-like bump that breaks out either on the interior or exterior edge of the eyelid. The soreness can cause some pain, but the condition is usually not considered very serious. Most importantly, it certainly does not affect your vision negatively.

Having a stye can be irritating. But there are ways you can treat it without rushing to the hospital. If you have this annoying bump in your eye(s), here are a few remedial tips to get rid of it:

Keep your eyelid clean

Whenever there is a stye breakout, the first thing you should do is clean your eyelids. You can use a makeup remover, cotton ball, or a washcloth soaked in tear-free baby shampoo for the purpose. You can also use a saline solution as a cleaning agent because it facilitates the drainage of puss and the breakdown of bacteria. Gently wipe your eyelids using this solution. Continue doing it for a few days until the bump is gone completely. Keeping your eyelids clean is also essential for preventing future stye breakouts. 

Use warm compression

After cleaning your eyelid, you should apply warm compression to encourage faster healing of the stye. You should apply mild warm compression on the stye for at least ten to fifteen minutes for three to four times a day. You can dip a teabag or sterile washcloth in warm water and dab on your stye gently. The warmth of the compression causes the stye to break open and the puss to drain out. But remember never to squeeze the bump. Doing so might cause trauma to your eyelid and infect your eyes.

Use over-the-counter ointments

Most styes cause bearable pain, treating which may not always require strong antibiotics. When there is mild soreness, you can go to a chemist to get an anti-bacterial eye ointment. Don’t be afraid of this idea because it is fairly straightforward. Pull the eyelid of the sore eye and apply the ointment on it without squeezing the stye. Repeat the application until you see your stye has reduced in size or is gone completely. But you should be careful of topical steroids because these usually have side effects.

Avoid wearing makeup and contact lenses

A stye requires breathing space to heal. You may want to attend a party wearing a nice eyeliner or fake eyelashes. But doing so can worsen the condition. Makeup covers the stye and slows down the healing process. It can also cause irritation in the eye. You should also avoid contact lenses because you may hurt your eyelid while wearing them. The key is to prevent touching the stye and letting it heal. Make sure you throw away your old makeup and contact lenses because they could be infected with the stye-causing bacteria.

Treating a stye at home is simpler than most people think. Just make sure you don’t pop the bump because it’s irritating you. A little care can help you get rid of the problem sooner.