How to Clear Up a Stye in Your Eye

A stye is painful and unsightly red bump on the innermost part of your eyelid near the lash-line. Oil-producing glands line the periphery of your eye to lubricate tears. Dirt and bacteria occasionally settle inside these oil glands, creating a swollen and tender bump that's similar to a pimple on your face. Most styes drain and clear within a few days of treatment.

Things You'll Need

• Clean washcloth

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Instructions

• 1

  Wet a clean washcloth with hot water. Wring out the excess moisture and place the cloth over your closed eye. Re-wet the cloth every few minutes to maintain heat for 10 minutes. Perform this treatment four times a day for a few days to encourage the stye to drain by itself.

• 2

  Forgo all the eye makeup until your stye is completely gone. Mascara, eye-shadow and eye-liner can further aggravate your swollen gland. Change your mascara brushes and makeup applicators regularly to reduce bacteria buildup and prevent future styes.

• 3

  Leave the stye alone. Aside from the warm compress treatments, let your eye heal. Touching or picking at the stye only prolongs the draining. Never try to squeeze or pop a stye, as this can cause infection and extreme pain.