Why is my child losing his eyelashes?
JAN 30, 2024
Question:
My 10-year-old son is losing his eyelashes. It's not his thyroid (blood work is fine). He is not pulling them and at times his lids are completely bare. Any reason why? Our family doctor is puzzled.
Answer:
There are conditions in which the eyelashes fall out. This is called madarosis. Your son may be pulling his eyelashes in private (trichotillomania) or he may have a low grade infection or eyelid inflammation. This condition may respond to a topical steroid antibiotic eye drop. There are also autoimmune conditions (alopecia) which are associated with eyelash (and brow and hair) loss. Please schedule an exam with an ophthalmologist to help you correctly diagnose and treat your son's condition.
This question was originally answered on Aug. 5, 2013.