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 Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor
& Associates in Fairfield County, or
facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.
Doctor & Associates offices are conveniently located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.
