I have stye (i think, i've never had one) in the inner corner of my left eye. it is a little swollen and hurts to blink and tightly close my eyes. what should i do? is an eye doctor visit necessary? i don't have much money. :-( please help.

Heat: Most styes can be eliminated with topical heat. Put a wash cloth under the very warm, but not hot, water tap, wring it out a little and hold it over your closed eye for 4 minutes - do this about 5 times per day. This will usually cause it to melt away over several days. If persistent after that, you will need to see your ophthalmologist.

Hot compress: Dont see a doctor unless your pain worsens or your vision changes for the worse. Use a sock filled with dried beans heated in the microwave to apply heat to your eyelid. You should get better in a few days. One possible concern: if you develop swelling and tenderness on the side of your nose near the eye corner, you may have a blocked tear duct and not a stye. If so, see an eye doctor soon.

Warm compresses: Warm compresses, or surgical incision and drainage, or steroid have been the only effective treatments demonstrated get rid of a stye. A stye is due to the orifice of an oil gland (mebomian gland) in the eyelid margin becoming inflamed, and not an infection.