For those of us who suffer from the occasional stye, we know just how uncomfortable, irritating, and painful they can be. And forming right on the lid of the eye, they really couldn't occur in a worse location.
And since a stye can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, I have always been on the lookout for any type of home remedy to help ease the pain and make them go away faster.
Fortunately, just as there are easy home remedies for getting rid of canker sores, there are quite a few simple ways to quickly (and cheaply) get rid of painful styes. Other than applying a warm, wet compress, I had never heard of any of these ideas!
Scroll through this exclusive list of stye-fighting methods below. I will definitely be trying each of these out — I'm so glad that I won't be at the mercy of irritating styes anymore!
Will you be trying out these stye home remedies yourself? Let us know in the comments.
What Is A Stye?
A stye is an uncomfortable, irritated bacterial infection that can occur on the lids surrounding the eye.
These pimple-like bumps can extremely painful, and can sometimes cause burning, swelling, or sensitivity to light.
And while they can last up to a few weeks, they don't have to. There are actually quite a few steps you can take right at home to ease stye pain and make them go away faster.
How To Get Rid Of A Stye Remedy #1: Slice Up A Tomato
It might sound (and look) bizarre, but putting tomatoes on your styes can do wonders for easing pain and irritation.
According to WittyFeed.com, "To relieve the pain, cut a fresh tomato into slices and place them on the affected area for five minutes, for at least three times a day."
As an added bonus, "It also helps you to get brighter skin."
Remedy #2: Grab A Tea Bag
Placing a bag of green tea on your stye is great for fighting bacteria and bringing down swelling.
According to Healthline, "Boil water and… let the tea steep for about one minute. Then wait until the tea bag cools… Keep it on your eye for about five to 10 minutes."
Remedy #3: Grate A Potato
According to Top10HomeRemedies.com, "Due to its astringent properties, potato helps contract the tissues and reduce skin irritations. Plus, potato helps decrease inflammation and pain."
They recommend grating a potato into a cheesecloth, and placing it on the stye for five to 10 minutes. You can repeat this several times throughout the day.
Remedy #4: Toss Old Makeup
While makeup can be expensive, you never want to risk using makeup that may be contaminated. Toss anything that may have come into contact with the stye.
According to eMedicineHealth.com, "Discontinue the use of eye makeup as well as eye lotions and creams because they may be contaminated with the bacteria from the infection."
Remedy #5: Chop Up A Cucumber
Similar to the tomato, a cucumber can have a healing effect on a painful, irritated stye.
WittyFeed.com writes, "As refreshing as the cucumber is, it also helps you to reduce the stye; all you need to do is cut it into slices and put it over the affected area." You can repeat this several times throughout the day.
Remedy #6: Drop In Turmeric
While turmeric is usually used as a cooking spice, it can also help to clear up styes quickly.
SearchHomeRemedy.com writes, "Boil one tablespoon of turmeric in two cups of water until the level of water reduces up to half of the actual amount. Then, filter all turmeric granules and use the water as eye drops for three to four times in a day."
Remedy #7: Lather Up With Baby Shampoo
Keeping your eyes clean and bacteria-free is not always easy, particularly with soaps that burn or sting.
According to Healthline, "Cleaning your eyelids may help to prevent future styes. Choose a tear-free baby shampoo, mix it with a bit of warm water, and gently wipe off your eyelids using a cotton swab or clean washcloth. You can do this every day or two."
Remedy #8: Break Open An Aloe Plant
Aloe vera has many healing properties, including helping with styes.
According to WittyFeed.com, "Wet a cotton swab [with] the clear liquid that comes out of the plant and use it in the affected area. Use it for three to four times a day."
Remedy #9: Skip The Contacts
Similar to makeup, you don't want anything near your eye that may become contaminated.
According to Healthline, "If you wear contact lenses, stick with glasses until your stye heals. Bacteria from the stye can get onto the contacts and spread the infection."
Remedy #10: Wet An Old Rag
The most commonly used home remedy is the lukewarm compress.
FindHomeRemedy.com writes, "Take a clean cloth and dip it into lukewarm water. Squeeze out the excess water and then press that cloth over your affected eye."
They continue, "The warm compress helps in draining out the pus from the bumps. It also provides relief from the burning of the eyes."
These brilliant home remedies are great for fighting styes and reducing stye-related pain.
Will you be trying these out at home? Let us know in the comments.
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