[header] How to get rid of a stye [title] Clean the stye. [step] Styes are generally caused by chance but can occasionally be caused by exposure of the eye to foreign substances (such as dust or makeup). The stye itself is a small bacterial infection. 
If you develop a stye, the first thing you should do is clean the area. [substeps] Wash your hands thoroughly, then use a cotton ball or clean hands to gently cleanse the stye with warm water.