Almost all tender, red bumps on the edge of the eyelid are harmless and can heal on their own in about a week. But sometimes, one week is long enough for a little red bump on your eyelid to be a complete nuisance. Luckily, there are a few home remedies that can help you get rid of a stye fast or at least significantly reduce some of the discomfort and swelling.
Fast Stye Treatment in Two Easy Steps
Step 1: Keep your eyelids clean
- Clean your eyelids. The first step you should take if you catch a stye is to clean your eyelid with diluted tear-free baby shampoo on a cotton ball, clean cloth, cleansing pad, or a makeup remover pad. Rinse it after with warm water and lightly pat it dry.
- Wash your hands. Wash your hands before and after touching it and avoid sharing towels and washcloths with others.
- Avoid makeup use. Temporarily stop makeup use until the stye has completely healed. Discard old makeup or applicators that could be contaminated.
- Avoid contact lenses. Wear your eyeglasses for the meantime until the stye completely disappears.
Step 2: Apply warm, moist compress
- Apply warm compresses. A warm compress for about 15-20 minutes 3-4 times daily speeds up the healing process of a stye.
- Try a tea bag or washcloth. Teabags or a basic clean washcloth dipped in warm water can aid in faster healing of a stye. Dip the washcloth in warm (not hot water) and wring the cloth so it’s not dripping, then place it over your closed eyes.
- Don’t pop it. Never pop a stye. Only bring it to a head like acne to allow it to drain and heal on its own without causing trauma to the eyelid and spreading the infection by squeezing it.
Easing Discomfort
- Painkillers: Over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen may ease discomfort if it is bothersome but these cannot aid in faster healing.
- Eye surgery: A large stye may require a surgical incision to drain, relieve discomfort, and prevent further infection.
If your stye already affects your vision or does not go away within a week or so, contact your eye doctor for a consultation. In some severe cases, a stubborn stye may require surgical treatment followed by prescription medicine.
Proper eyelid hygiene can notably reduce the risk of styes. Regularly clean your eyelids before bedtime, most especially if you always wear eye makeup.