Unexplained Loss of Eyelashes

[Gretj]

Hello everyone :)

I'm a 46-yr-old female suffering from a sudden loss of eyelashes.  My problem started about 2.5 weeks ago, and every day I lose between 5-10 lashes.  They aren't breaking off, but falling out from the root.  I actually have bald patches along my upper lashline where I have no lashes.  As I've always had long, very thick lashes, this is most distressing.

My eyes look and feel perfectly normal.  There is no redness, itching, swelling, or discoloration.  I absolutely don't rub my eyes or pull out my lashes.  I don't wear mascara.  I consulted a board certified ophthalmologist and he said he could see the lash loss, but he could find nothing wrong (including blepharitis).  He consulted the two other doctors in his practice and they all agreed that they "had never heard of eyelashes falling out." (!)  I had a recent physical and I'm perfectly healthy, don't have thyroid disease, am not going through menopause, and haven't been on a whacky diet. I haven't been under any stress (other than the stress of my lash loss!).  The hair on my head is not falling out, nor are my eyebrows or hair anywhere else.

So what other explanation is there?  Anyone have any ideas about what I could do?  Or experienced the same thing and the lashes grew back?  Thanks so much for any responses :)

[Kevacale]

Hello, I have a similar problem
I see You wrote about this a long time ago. Can You tell me please did you (and how) got rid of this problem? Thank you!

[Gretj]

It wasn't any doctor who helped me, it was a physician's assistant. She suspected that my iron stores were low, so she sent me for a ferritin test, which measures the level of ferritin, the major iron storage protein in the body. It's just a simple blood test.
Mine was at 0, even though my blood hemoglobin was normal.

So the short answer was iron deficiency anemia. I had to take high levels of iron (in the form of iron tablets), and my lashes stopped falling out. Couldn't tell you had long that took, as it was 8 years ago. But I have my nice, thick, long lashes back.

Hope this helps!

[Gretj]

Thank you.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
An eyelid specialist is an oculoplastic eyelid surgeon who is a specialist for eyelids. Apart from the causes mentioned above, autoimmune disorders like DLE, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, metabolic diseases such as mitochondriopathy, adrenoleukodystrophy, malnutrition, sickle cell anemia and HIV infection may also cause madarosis.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[Gretj]

Thank you for your response :)  In my initial post, I was careful to explain that I don't have any of the causes you listed (rubbing, pulling out lashes, allergic reaction, thyroid disease, blepharitis, etc.) and that I HAD seen a board certified ophthalmologist, who confirmed that my eyes and lids are normal and healthy.  He had no diagnosis or explanation or treatment.  Where do I go from here?

(And if I may ask, what type of doctor is an "eyelid specialist?" )

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,
Falling of eyelashes is clinically called madarosis.Various possibilities are there for madarosis. One is is wiping your eyes too vigorously or absent-mindedly pulling the hairs out. Allergic reaction to the eye cosmetics can also be responsible for this symptom but since you are not using them, so it is less likely.

Other causes are eczema(a form of chronic dermatitis (rash).Allergic reaction is one of the important causes of eczema. Allergic reaction can occur to strong soaps, Solvents, chemicals, certain foods, food additives, plants, metals, cosmetics, even urine and faeces of some animals (dust mites) , blepharitis due to eyelid infections and infection with a mite called D. folliculorum, which can cause swelling and inflammation of the eyelash follicles.
Internal diseases like thyroid conditions, autoimmune diseases and leprosy can also lead to madarosis.

Treatment modalities for all are different. It would be better if you discuss these possibilities with an eyelid specialist . It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.