Loss of eyelashes

[Nicholle]

Hello, My 6 year old son has lost his eyelashes on only his left eye.  Both his upper and lower lid has eyelash loss.  We noticed this is November and our pediatrician had no knowledge as so why.  His blood came back fine.  His eyes look normal no red, swelling.  He recently went to a local eye doctor which he was diagnosed with blepharitis.  He were instructed to wash is eyes 3xs a day and apply eye ointment at bedtime.  At the very outer edge he has a few about 10 lashes.  Yesterday I counted the lower lid and he is down to 3.  Please I hope someone can help our family.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

I'd suggest you see a dermatologist to determine if the loss is due to alopecia areata of the eyelashes. This could also be due to the blepharitis.

Good hygiene — regular cleaning of the area — can control signs and symptoms and prevent complications.

But if the condition doesn't improve, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic cream or ointment. In severe cases, eyedrops containing antibiotics and steroids may be prescribed. If your blepharitis is linked to an underlying cause such as dandruff or rosacea, treating those conditions may alleviate the blepharitis.

This kind of loss can happen just to the eyelashes and one of the characteristics is that the hairs come out easily some have small exclamation points and there is no inflammation.

Sometimes patients who are under extra stress will develop this condition.

It would be advisable to consult a skin specialist for the symptoms and a proper clinical examination.

Let us know if you need any other information and post us on how he is doing.

Regards.

[Nicholle]

Thank you so much for this helpful information, my son saw his doctor today.  We are trying the ointment for another 10 days than finding a dermatologist in our area.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

I wish your son a speedy recovery. Do let us know if you may need any more help.

best regards