Styes feel just about as bad as they look -- and, let's be real, that pimple-like bulge on your eyelid looks pretty terrible. (Tip: Avoid Google image searching "styes," unless you're a masochist.) If you're wondering how to get rid of a stye, you're in luck: We tapped stye expert Gary Heiting, OD, Senior Editor of AllAboutVision.com, to give us the scoop on these nasty eye abscesses.

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From stye causes to proper stye treatment, we've got answers to all your pressing questions. We promise you'll be back to wearing your signature smoky eye in no time. Or about a week -- once you get rid of your stye.

Before you learn how to get rid of a stye, you should know what causes them in the first place. According to Heiting, there are several behaviors that increase your risk of getting styes. Spoiler alert: One of them has to do with those makeup brushes you haven't washed in a few months. Bacteria can grow on them; when you use them on your eye, you introduce more bacteria to your eyelids, explains Heiting.

Normal, non-problem-causing bacteria are already present on the skin of your eyelids. What causes a stye is when the bacteria become trapped under dead skin cells and other debris -- the bacteria multiply and cause inflammation, clogged oil glands and, yes, styes. (Makes you really consider sleeping with your eye makeup on, doesn't it?)

Aside from using dirty makeup brushes, wearing old eye makeup and sleeping with your makeup on, styes are commonly caused by touching your eyelids with dirty hands or putting in your contacts without washing your hands first, explains Heiting. He says that people with dry eyes, rosacea and blepharitis (chronic inflammation of the eyelids) can be more prone to styes than other people. Read on to find out how to get rid of a stye.

"Styes are not contagious," says Heiting. "You don't have to worry about 'catching' a stye from someone who has one, or spreading them to others if you have a stye." So no need to make your S.O. sleep on the couch.

According to Heiting, styes normally last about a week. But you can speed up the healing process with proper treatment.

For quick stye relief, Heiting recommends using a warm compress. The ideal temperature: 100-110 degrees Fahrenheit applied to your eye for eight to 10 minutes. Since you probably aren't going to be whipping out your thermometer for an exact reading, he says to soak a washcloth in hot water that's comfortable to the touch.

(Note: Don't be tempted to heat up the washcloth in the microwave -- you run the risk of making it too hot and burning your eyelid. A stye and a burnt eyelid? Seriously not fun.)

Wring out the washcloth and apply it to your eye. As it cools (about every two minutes) reheat it in equally hot water until you've spent 10 minutes with the compress on your eye. Repeat at least four times a day. These compresses help the stye open and drain -- a gross but necessary thing to happen to get relief from the pain.