"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.

If you read the previous slide and thought to yourself, "ain't nobody got time for that," there are also over-the-counter options available that work similarly to warm compresses. Bausch + Lomb TheraPearl Eye Mask, $9.99, can simply be tossed in the microwave, then applied to closed eyelids without the need to reheat. The warmth helps soothe -- and eventually pop open -- styes. (And don't worry: It won't get too hot.)

To help make a stye go away faster, it is important to cleanse your eyelids daily -- especially before you go to bed. Heiting recommends using OTC pre-moistened wipes like OCuSOFT Lid Scrub Plus, $23.90, Systane Lid Wipes, $13.49, or Macular Health Blephadex Eyelid Wipes, $19.95. You can also use a gentle foaming eyelid cleanser like TheraTears SteriLid Eyelid Cleanser, $23.99.

In a pinch, Heiting says to dilute baby shampoo with water and use it to cleanse your eyes, but the OTC options are more effective.