Stye, also called hordeolum, is a kind of tiny red bump resembling a pimple that appears on the edge of the eyelids. It is a prevalent eye problem and more or less every human being has suffered from the condition once in his life.

A stye is caused by clogging pores of the eyelids due to dust and bacterial infection. In most of the cases, styes are normal with little bearable pain, soreness and itchiness with increased tear formation in the eyes, and they get healed in a few days.

Majority of the people are not aware of how to get rid of a stye with ease. There are effective remedies through which one can have a speedy recovery from a stye.

• Use of warm compress
  When the question of how to get rid of a stye is raised, then the application of warm compress is one of the most effective remedies. Warm compress helps to dissolve the pus and drain the stye easily.
  Always use a clean cloth and make sure that the warmness of the water is such that our skin can tolerate. After wetting the washcloth in warm water, wring it gently and place it over the affected eyelid for about 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat the process 3 to 4 times daily for effective healing.
• Cleaning of the eyelid
  The appropriate cleaning of the eyelid is beneficial for the healing of a stye. This reduces bacterial infection and also prevents the reoccurrence of the same. A tear-free baby shampoo can be used with warm water using the cotton swab or clean washcloth to clean the eyelid with gentle wipes. Saline water can also be a good option to clean the eyelid.
• Use of a warm tea bag
  A warm tea bag is also very useful in the healing of a stye. Other than the warmth, the antibacterial properties of black tea help to reduce the swelling and the infection of the stye.
  Dip a tea bag in boiling water. Take it out after a few minutes and keep it aside for cooling down. Place the teabag over the eye for 5 to 10 minutes when it is cool enough. Discard the teabag after use. Always use a fresh teabag.
• Use the painkiller over-the-counter
  You can use the regular painkillers over-the-counter to reduce the pain. Ensure to follow proper instructions written on the package. Intake of an appropriate dose of prescriptions normally heals the pain. No need to visit the doctor unless and until any severe problems are faced.
• Avoid makeup and contact lenses
  Avoid any eye makeup when you are suffering from a stye because it can aggravate the problem and worsen the healing process. Bacteria can transmit to another eye through the makeup and its tools and also promote the reoccurrence of a stye in the future. Wash the makeup tools regularly and discard the old and expired eye products.
  Avoid contact lenses and switch to glasses until your stye is recovered, because when suffering from a stye, using contact lenses can spread the infection by transferring bacteria from the stye.
• Use of antibiotic ointments
  The use of any regular over-the-counter stye ointments can relieve the problem of a stye. Take about a quarter-inch of the stye ointment and apply it inside the eyelid of the affected eye.
  Avoid any topical steroids for treating the stye because they can be harmful with their side effects. Confirm that the product you are using is specially made for the eyes only. The antibiotic eye drops are not very useful in healing the external styes.
• Massage the affected area to promote drainage
  If the stye is not very painful, then a gentle massage on the stye affected eyelid can help in promoting drainage of the stye. Massage should be done with clean hands, and as the stye is drained, you should keep the area clean and avoid touching the eyes. Stop massaging if it pains.
• Seek for expert medical treatment if needed
  If all the remedies have failed and you do not know how to get rid of a stye, then seek help from a doctor. The doctor normally prescribes an antibiotic cream for bacterial infections. She/he may also give a steroid shot to the patient to reduce swelling.

When people usually think of how to get rid of a stye, popping or squeezing a stye often seems to be helpful to them, but any rupture or releasing pus can spread the infection. In severe cases like if it is internal or the stye affects your vision or becomes more significant or painful, then the ophthalmologists can help you drain the stye professionally. Proper hygiene should always be maintained so that the stye is prevented from reoccurrence.