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When dirt, dead skin, and oil build up around the tiny oil gland around your eyelashes, they cause blockage, leading to the growth of bacteria inside. This results in the development of styes, a small red bump, often with a whitehead on your eyelid’s edge. A stye goes away on its own within seven to 10 days. Read on for five ways you can speed up the healing process.

Seek medical treatment

Why do I keep getting styes? If you keep getting styes, it’s advisable to see a doctor. They can prescribe suitable antibiotic cream, pills, or eye drops to treat it. They may even perform surgery to drain pus from the infection. Your doctor may also enlighten you on the causes of styes and recommend preventative measures to avoid stye recurrences.

Apply warm compress

One of the easiest and most effective ways to get rid of a stye is by applying a warm compress. The warmth from the compressor brings pus and oil to the surface and dissolves it, allowing the stye to drain naturally. You should soak a clean cloth in warm water, wring it then position it over your eye for five to 10 minutes. Be careful not to squeeze or puncture the stye and use different washcloths if you have more than one styes. Next, use a clean finger to gently massage the stye to unplug the oil gland and alleviate inflammation and pain.  Repeat the process three to four times a day. 

Use a warm tea bag

Instead of a cloth compress, consider using a warm tea bag such as black tea as it has antibacterial properties and can reduce swelling. To use a teabag compress, you should add boiled water into a cup then drop the tea bag in it as if making tea. Next, allow the tea bag to cool, then place it on the eyelids for five to ten minutes. Repeat the process twice daily to alleviate discomfort and swelling. Remember to use different tea bags for each eye. 

Clean your eyelids with water and mild soap

The skin around your eyes is often thinner than the rest of the face, so you should only use products with non-irritating or hypoallergenic ingredients to clean it. To clean the eyelids,  mix warm water with tear-free baby shampoo. Next, using a washcloth or a makeup remover pad, gently wipe off the eyelids, then rinse them with warm water. Continue the process until the stye is gone. Washing your eyelids regularly with mild soap and water is also effective in preventing future styes.

Apply coconut oil

Coconut oil is an effective remedy for treating stye as it improves antioxidants status in the body, reducing inflammation. It also has antifungal and antibacterial properties, so it is safe to use around the eyes. To treat a stye, put a small amount of the oil on a clean finger or a cotton swab, then gently rub the affected area. Leave the oil on the eyelid for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. Repeat the process three to five times a day to get the best results.

Endnote

You do not have to wait for ten days to get rid of the pain and swelling, itchiness, constant tearing up, and soreness caused by a stye. Instead, use the above remedies to speed up the stye healing process.