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.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

First, I think scrubbing the lashes 3x a day is a bit excessive.  My first advise would be to consider taking a week or so off and see his ophthalmologist to see how the blepharitis is doing. Blepharitis is indeed a cause of eyelash loss.  Consider reducing the scrubbing and trying more warm, moist compresses.  Also sterilid gel or occusoft pads can be helpful. It is also possible that children can actually try to pull them out themselves.  Finally, allopecia areata (sp) is a benign condition that can cause hair or lashes to fall out in just a confined area.  It often resolves on in time.  Usually a dermatologist is the best just of that particular condition.

MJK MD

[Nicholle]

Thank you Dr. Kutryb for this helpful information. Our son saw his doctor today, he wants us to give the ointment another 10 days, and then will refer us to a dermatologist.  We have reduced to twice a day washes, at the moment we can see new hair growth on the upper lid it is very blonde and tiny.  The bottom lid however has one long black lash hanging on for dear life.  Again thank you for the advise.