A stye is a painful, red bump on the edge of the eyelid, caused by a bacterial infection that develops beneath the skin. It can be very similar in appearance to a pimple and might even contain pus. A stye can be very minor, but you might be quite uncomfortable, and they don't look great either. To avoid the annoyance and discomfort of a stye, there are a few things you should do: wash your hands regularly, and avoid touching or rubbing your eyes, as this can be a cause of eye woes. Another thing you can do to avoid a stye is to apply a warm compress a few times each day. If a stye persists or becomes more painful over time, you should see a doctor so they can administer proper treatment to avoid complications. You can go a long way towards keeping your eyes healthy by simply maintaining good cleanliness.