What could cause bald spots in the eyelashes?

I really appreciate your very helpful articles and think I have read them all! My problem is that I have recently (last 2 months) experienced bald areas on my eyelashes. A large area on my left eye and a smaller area on my right. No itching or redness and no signs of new growth. No flakes or bugs visible and I am in good health and hygiene. Makeup is the same and not old or cheap! I feel heartbroken when I look in the mirror as it is obvious and I look weird...PLEASE HELP!

Thank you! I’m very happy you found the articles helpful. On your eyelashes, the first thing to check is to see if you have any small bald spots in your scalp that you might not have noticed. There is a common condition that can cause bald spots in both the scalp and the eyelashes called alopecia areata. In some cases, the scalp is not involved but other sites are, like the eyebrows or eyelashes. Please see a good dermatologist to get a diagnosis that’s accurate!

There are other things that can cause this as well. Sometimes, just as with hair, too much traction and manipulation of the hair can irritate the roots and cause hair to fall out. Examples of this would be very tight cornrowing or other hairstyles that put prolonged traction on the hair root. This can also happen with eyelashes with overuse of eyelash curlers.

There are less common diseases like thyroid problems and certain autoimmune diseases that can affect hair growth. That’s why it’s important to see you dermatologist or, if you don’t have one nearby, your regular doctor to check for these problems.

Hope this helps, Dr. I

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