Stye SOS: Soothe That Irritating Eye with Self-Care

Woke up with a painful bump on your eyelid? It might be a stye! While a visit to the doctor might be necessary for persistent or severe cases, many styes respond well to simple self-care remedies.

Here's your quick guide to stye self-care:

* **Warm Compresses:** Apply a warm, moist compress (a clean washcloth soaked in warm water) to your eyelid for 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times a day. This encourages drainage and reduces inflammation.
* **Gentle Cleaning:** Keep the area clean. Gently wash your eyelids with a mild soap and water or a diluted baby shampoo.
* **Avoid Makeup:** Skip the eye makeup until the stye is completely healed. Makeup can irritate the area and introduce bacteria.
* **No Popping!** Resist the urge to squeeze or pop the stye. This can spread the infection.
* **Over-the-counter Relief:** Consider using over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage discomfort.

With consistent self-care, most styes will disappear within a week or two. If your stye worsens, doesn't improve, or affects your vision, consult a doctor.