A small pimple on the skin could be one’s absolute nightmare. And when it is around the sensitive areas of your face, it could be further more painful. A pimple around or inside the eyelid is what we call styes or hordeolum (its scientific name). The swelling of the eyes leaves one in agony as the abscess that grows on or inside the eyelid is usually filled with pus. One can expect to get some relief only once the abscess burst open and the pus is cleaned away. So how to get rid of a stye? Before that let us understand a little more about styes.

Eyelids that are rich with tiny oil glands, peculiarly around the eyelashes are more prone to getting styes. It is important to ensure that the hygiene of this area is forever maintained to avoid clogging or blocking these small holes. When these small holes are blocked, it encourages the growth of bacteria in them which would eventually lead to the formation of the red styes.

To know if what you are suffering from is a stye, here’s a list of symptoms you should be wary of.

• Swelling eyelids and red watery eyes
• Burning sensation around the eyelids
• Abscess filled with yellow puss similar to a pimple

To know how to get rid of a stye read the following tips.

Use the warm treatment
Yes, styes prefer winters. In order to displace them, take a clean piece of cloth and dampen it with warm water. Ensure that the water is not boiling hot. Place it gently on the surface of your eyes for the span of 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat this 3 to 4 times daily to get rid of a stye.

Cleansing with baby shampoo and warm water
Ensure that the baby shampoo that you are using is a tear-free one. Using either a washcloth or cotton swab, gently cleanses your eyelid area. You are also encouraged to use saline solution (mixture of salt and warm water) as it helps in drainage and unclogs those tiny oil holes that lead to the formation of styes. This will help you find the best answer to the oft-asked question of how to get rid of a stye.

Warm tea bag
That’s right, tea bag is a perfect answer of how to get rid of a stye. Tea is both good for the soul and the eyelids. You can also replace the warm washcloth with a warm tea bag. Black tea is known for its antibacterial properties and can be used to fight the bacteria that cause styes. Prepare tea the same way you do for drinking purpose with boiled water and teabag in a mug. Let it stand for a minute and allow the tea bag to cool down enough so that you can place it over the eyes. Leave it for 5 to 10 minutes and do not use the same tea bag for the another eye to avoid further spreading of bacteria. This will help you get rid of the stye.

Avoid makeup and contact lenses
This could further aggravate your already irritated eyes and mess around with the healing process. It is best to avoid wearing makeup and contact lenses for it may cause spread of bacteria to your products. It is also something you do not want!

Antibiotic ointments
If you ask your pharmacist how to get rid of a stye, he will come up with several eye ointments from the pharmacy store. You could apply it on the affected area to get rid of the stye soon.

Gentle massage
A gentle massage around the eyelids would help in the drainage of those tiny oil pores. This method could be one of the most relaxing answers to the question of how to get rid of a stye. You could also adopt this step with caution as you should do so only with clean and sanitized hands. Discontinue the massage if you feel any pain in the area.

In addition, it may be noted that styes do not affect your vision. They usually go away after about a week. If you experience such difficulty and there is no improvement after resorting to these home remedies, it is advisable to see a doctor immediately. Do not attempt to burst it on your own for it may cause the spread of infection. Use of painkillers can also help if you are in search of further relief. It is advisable to follow the instructions on the dosage. However, should the pain become intolerable, it is time to see your doctor.

Additionally, it is extremely important to maintain hygiene. A small area such as your eyelids requires a whole lot of attention and care. Avoid touching the eyes unnecessarily. Any form of dirt or dead skin around this sensitive area can lead to the growth of bacteria. Once the pus is all drained from a stye, one is encouraged to continue adopting these home remedies for happy and healthy eyelids.