Eyebrow and eyelash loss

[Teary824]

Hi everyone,

After seeing two regular eye doctors who told me I probably just had larger tear ducts, I finally went to see a dry eye specialist. Turns out I have MGD (in-between stage 2 and 3) and aqueous deficiency (Schirmer's test: Right 5, Left 7 or 8).

My dry eye started back in mid-October so I don't know why all of sudden this past week or so I've been losing eyebrow and eyelash hairs every single day. I asked the dry eye specialist to perhaps run a demodex test but looking at my eyelashes, she said I just didn't have signs of it so there was no need to test. (I do see a bit of white flaking or something inside the base of my hairs.. it is winter over here so it could be my skin is just dry, I don't know.) I asked if I had anterior blepharitis and she said no.

Is it from stress? I read that 3 months after tremendous stress, hair can be loss, so I've been trying to keep a more cheerful and relaxed mood.

Another thought was that I cleaned my eyes too aggressively because I introduced baby shampoo into my routine mid-January. I stopped using it but no difference - would it help to continue cleaning my lids with baby shampoo?

I've gotten used to wearing glasses at this point.. I no longer really mind but the eyebrow/lash loss is alarming! Please if anyone has any ideas let me know!

[savino]

.............

[lizlou29]

I go through stages of losing eyelashes then they grow back and fall out again. It's very common when you have MGD. Demodex could still be a cause, it's unlikely your Ophthalmologist would be able to tell just by looking at your eyes. Have you tried Cliradex wipes or diluted tea tree oil?

I'm sure you've already searched but this page gives an overview of the causes of eyelash loss http://www.eyehealthweb.com/eyelashes-falling-out/

[littlemermaid]

A pharmacist told me pathogenesis of eyebrow loss with seb derm can be fungal (nothing exciting, just Malassezia ie dandruff) and suggested hypersensitive anti-dandruff shampoo eg Head & Shoulders. We used this successfully for a bit when seb derm showed during puberty. My own view, if a bit of foam goes over the eyes in the shower, all good if there is a fungal component, as long as there's no harm.

Demodex would have to be quite bad to show collarettes and telangiectasia (inflammation against their products). We use hypersensitive tea tree shampoo 1:50 with boiled water along the eyelash base until things feel better. It's toxic stuff so we stop until needed again. But maybe you don't need that.

Obviously, we have to look out for anything which makes sensitive sore eyes worse on the eye surface, either from allergy or rosacea. Mostly we flushed afterwards with a lubricant drop or saline vials (saline makes some people's eye surface worse if they produce very little tear).

I think most people here use formulated hypersensitive eyelid margin cleaners like OcuSoft and the baby shampoo days are over. It is a strong detergent on the eye surface, with preservatives etc. Imagine what would happen to someone with 'normal' eyes if they did that every day.

Latisse for eyelash regrowth has caused serious problems for some people here. Anything creeping onto the eye surface causes cell changes but it's whether the eye can recover afterwards, I guess. Tear film comes from the eye surface too from mucous cells, osmosis, whatever other processes we don't know about yet, and persistent dry surface inflammation reduces its sensitivity and tear prompt, so we have to be careful what we put round the eyes.

Some people here have done well finding a moisturiser that doesn't cause more eye problems. Everything over-the-counter has always made my daughter and I worse (rosacea), but we do ok with beeswax bases as long as there's no perfume. Simple range has been about the best OTC. We minimise detergents and chemical perfumes drying the skin. We use a small amount of hypersensitive liquid for laundry, hot wash if possible.

The 'perfect pair' of wraparound sunglasses do look glamorous, whether fashion or sports.

Hope your eyes feel better soon, Teary824.

[Teary824]

I go through stages of losing eyelashes then they grow back and fall out again. It's very common when you have MGD. Demodex could still be a cause, it's unlikely your Ophthalmologist would be able to tell just by looking at your eyes. Have you tried Cliradex wipes or diluted tea tree oil?

Yes, it's odd that my Ophthalmologist didn't want to check me just in-case for demodex since I would've paid for it anyway.

May I ask how long does the eyelash loss stage last for you, I mean do you keep losing them for days/weeks/months? How do you calm it down - would Cliradex wipes be enough? Thank you for the suggestion, I'll purchase some online.

[Teary824]

we have to be careful what we put round the eyes. Some people here have done well finding a moisturiser that doesn't cause more eye problems. Everything over-the-counter has always made my daughter and I worse (rosacea), but we do ok with beeswax bases as long as there's no perfume. Simple range has been about the best OTC. We minimise detergents and chemical perfumes drying the skin. We use a small amount of hypersensitive liquid for laundry, hot wash if possible

Yes, it was recommended that I only apply my moisturizer up to the bony area of my eye from now on. I used to apply things like AHA or retinol right around my eyes to prevent wrinkles but apparently this can cause the oil glands to clog. Beeswax? Interesting, I'll have to get some. Seems my Ophthalmologist thought it was okay for me to wear eye makeup though and even Latisse but I'll do more research on all of this. Thank you so much for your help!

[Mimi84]

Hi everyone,

After seeing two regular eye doctors who told me I probably just had larger tear ducts, I finally went to see a dry eye specialist. Turns out I have MGD (in-between stage 2 and 3) and aqueous deficiency (Schirmer's test: Right 5, Left 7 or 8).

My dry eye started back in mid-October so I don't know why all of sudden this past week or so I've been losing eyebrow and eyelash hairs every single day. I asked the dry eye specialist to perhaps run a demodex test but looking at my eyelashes, she said I just didn't have signs of it so there was no need to test. (I do see a bit of white flaking or something inside the base of my hairs.. it is winter over here so it could be my skin is just dry, I don't know.) I asked if I had anterior blepharitis and she said no.

Is it from stress? I read that 3 months after tremendous stress, hair can be loss, so I've been trying to keep a more cheerful and relaxed mood.

Another thought was that I cleaned my eyes too aggressively because I introduced baby shampoo into my routine mid-January. I stopped using it but no difference - would it help to continue cleaning my lids with baby shampoo?

I've gotten used to wearing glasses at this point.. I no longer really mind but the eyebrow/lash loss is alarming! Please if anyone has any ideas let me know!

Hi.
I know this post is several years old but I hope to get an answer because I'm depressed. How are your eyelashes a d eyebrows now? have they stopped falling please? THANKS