Eyelashes are more than just a cosmetic fringe!
Lashes protect the eye from debris that can obstruct vision or cause infection
or injury. Eyelashes grow, fall out and replace
themselves in a natural cycle every six to 10 weeks, just like the hair on top
of your head. While it’s normal to lose between one and five eyelashes each day,
a more rapid lash loss-called “madarosis”-can be a symptom of an underlying
health problem in the eye or in another part of the body.
There
are many reasons people can lose more lashes than average. If you’re not also
losing hair from the eyebrows or scalp, eyelash loss may signal:
- Irritation from Cosmetics. Leaving eye makeup on
too long, using and removing lash extensions and using eyelash curlers, whether heated or
non-heated, can all harm lashes and speed up shedding. Eyelash loss can
also stem from allergies to mascara and from glue used to apply eyelash
extensions.
- Blepharitis. Itchiness
or burning accompanied by redness or swelling of the lids may
indicate blepharitis.
This is a condition that happens when clogged oil glands near
the base of the eyelashes cause chronic inflammation and problems in the
eyelash follicles.
- Trichotillomania. This
is a condition where stress or other emotional or psychological distress
causes a person to pull out their own eyelashes habitually.
- Skin Cancer. More
rarely, localized lash loss can be a symptom of a skin cancer on the
eyelid. Cancer can interrupt eyelash growth as harmful cells spread.
If you or someone you know experiences an abnormal amount of eyelash loss, please schedule an eye exam at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or www.facebook.com/alabamaeyecataractcenter.
Alabama Eye & Cataract Center is a leading eye care center in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 and staffed by UAB Medicine eye doctors and eye specialists.
