Eyelashes add to the beauty of our eyes. The thicker and longer the eyelashes, the more beautiful your eyes look. Every woman desires to have beautiful lashes, but most of them at some point in their lives tend to lose eyelashes.
Eyelash loss refers to the abnormal falling out of eyelashes other than the natural hair loss process of the body. The medical name for eyelashes falling out is madarosis.
Eyelash loss can be a frustrating and embarrassing situation and may point to other serious ailments in the body. In some severe cases, the patient might end up with no eyelashes. Eyelash causes can be many, and it can vary from one person to the other.
Eyelash Loss Symptoms
Some of the obvious signs and symptoms of eyelashes falling include:
- Eyelashes becoming very few or totally absent
- Having gaps between lash hairs
- Thinning of eyelashes
- Easily breakable
- Fewer eyelashes growth, and easily falling off as you apply any eye makeup
Eyelash loss causes
Like the hair on your head, eyelashes follow a natural growth cycle. Eyelashes grow, shed off, and then regrow once again. Shedding of eyelashes is a part of the eyelash growth cycle; lashes fall out as new lashes grow. In case you found them on your face or pillow it is not a case of concern. However, if you begin to see that your old lash strands are falling out faster than the new ones grow in, then it’s the right time to take action. Identifying the eyelash loss causes is the first step you need to take to resolve the problem.
Here are some of the reasons for loss of eyelashes.
- Trichotillomania tangle:This is a psychological disorder where the person pulls out his or her hair from the head, eyebrows, and Some pluck a strand or two while there are others who pluck out in clumps. This habit of pulling hair forms in adolescence and sometimes for some people continues right into adulthood.
- Alopecia areata:This is an immune disorder that results in hair loss. The hair follicles in the body are affected by the immune cells. It leads to loss of hair from different parts of the body.
- Overactive or underactive thyroid –Thyroid condition is also responsible for low eyelashes growth and loss of eyelashes. Whether it is a case of overactive or underactive thyroid glands, it can lead to loss of eyelashes in large numbers.
- Blepharitis:This is a condition in the eyelids that is caused by excessive bacteria growth and sometimes due to allergies or when the oil glands of the eyelids get blocked. Your eyelids are affected due to an allergic reaction or infection or too much rubbing.
- Chemical allergy –Most of the eye products such as eyeliner, mascara come laden with chemicals, which can cause the eyelashes to fall out. These products can lead to conjunctivitis and dermatitis – two conditions that can lead to significant hair loss from the eyes. In some cases, trying to remove mascara especially waterproof mascara can lead to the removal of eyelashes along with it.
- Chemotherapy:Chemotherapy affects the hair follicles and leads to loss of eyelashes. The loss may be either short-term or long-term.
- Natural loss:Just like our hair falls off and grows naturally, eyelashes also fall off and re-grow.
- Rubbing –Treating your eyelashes too harshly can also cause them to fall out. Pulling the eyelashes with an eyelash curler can also lead to fall of eyelashes
- Cancer –Skin cancer can also cause the eyelashes to fall out.
- Eyelid skin issues –Certain skin infections such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and dermatitis (eczema) can cause the sufferer to rub the itchy areas; thus leading to eyelash fall.
- Medications – Some medications have been shown to cause hair loss from the head, eyebrows, and eyelids. However, when you stop using them, eyelashes growth happens again.
Also Read: 5 Simple Eye Care Tips
If none of these reasons seem to have caused eyelash fall for you, consult a doctor to find out the reason.
Proper eyelash care can go a long way towards ensuring the strong growth of eyelashes. Here are some tips to keep in mind in your everyday life for the good eyelashes growth.
Preventing eyelash loss
- Use an eye makeup remover that can help you remove the makeup without the need to rub the eyes vigorously
- Carefully check the eye products that you are using. Discontinue any items that are causing you irritation
- When left for long on the eyelids, the particles in your mascara can clog the hair follicle and stop hair growth. It is important, therefore, to remove every trace of makeup before you go to sleep
- It is best to avoid using eyelash extensions
- Replace your old eyeliner and mascara with new ones every six months
- Treat any eye, skin infection as soon as possible
- Have a well-balanced, nourishing diet
- Try hot eye compress
- Pick a good quality eyelash curler
Also Read: Acanthamoeba Keratitis- Causes and Symptoms
Taking good care of your eyelashes will ensure that they stay strong and healthy. If your symptoms persist and eyelashes falling out do not stop even after following these treatments, consult your doctor.
