My eyelashes hurt and I pull them out

A. 5 Reasons Eyelids Hurt: Causes And Treatment Of Eyelid Soreness

Researching the possible causes of eyelid pain and treating it is a good start, but if irritation, pain, discharge, inflammation, and spasms persist in one or more eyelids, it could be a sign of a more serious condition. If you have a change in vision or eyes, see your eye doctor to diagnose the condition. Left untreated, mild pain in the upper or lower eyelids can quickly increase the center of your focus. We hope that by reading this short post you have identified the culprit and next steps to relieve your sore eyelids.

1. Eyelid pain could be caused by an infection

A bacterial or viral infection can be dangerous for the eyes. Periorbital cellulitis is an infection around the eye (‘preceptive cellulitis’) or behind the eye (‘orbital cellulitis’) and usually affects the eyelid or the muscles around the eye. Symptoms often escalate quickly and this condition requires immediate medical attention. Left untreated, orbital cellulitis damages the optic nerve and causes vision loss, hearing loss, or the formation of a blood clot at the base of the brain. Periorbital cellulitis may require hospitalization and oral or intravenous antibiotics for treatment. In some cases, surgery is required to reduce the swelling around the eyelid.

a. Symptoms of periorbital cellulitis

1. Painful swelling of the upper and/or lower eyelid
2. Possible swelling around the eye, including eyebrows and cheeks
3. Restricted view

An ophthalmologist should determine whether the infection is orbital cellulitis or preceptive cellulitis and determine the appropriate treatment plan.

2. Irritated eyelids can be caused by allergens

Many of us suffer from seasonal and environmental allergies, which are a common cause of eyelid discomfort. Symptoms appear when you are exposed to allergens that interact with your immune system and cause eyelid irritation. Common allergens are:

1. Pollen
2. Animal hair
3. Dust
4. Mold
5. Smoke

To avoid pain and discomfort, simply avoid allergens. However, if you cannot avoid them completely, you can also take antihistamines or decongestants to minimize allergy symptoms.

3. Eyelid pain can be caused by inflammation

Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid around the base of the eyelashes. The American Academy of Ophthalmology describes the symptoms of blepharitis as “red, swollen, or burning” eyelids. Blepharitis can contribute to or worsen dry eye problems. Remedies include hot compresses and scrubs to remove excess oil and germs on the eyelid that can cause inflammation. In chronic cases, your eye doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

a. Conjunctivitis: causes and symptoms

Another inflammatory condition that can lead to eyelid pain is conjunctivitis. This is inflammation of the lining of the eyeball and/or eyelids, often causing swelling and pain in the eyelids. Conjunctivitis can be caused by bacteria or viruses (often referred to as “pink eye”), allergies, eye irritants, or causes of systemic inflammation. Common symptoms include a yellow or green discharge from the eye that causes the eyelids to stick together during sleep. The eye and eyelid become irritated and sometimes gritty. When the disease is caused by a virus, it is highly contagious.

b. Treatments for conjunctivitis

The condition usually goes away on its own, but the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests seeing a doctor right away if you:

1. Moderate to severe pain in your eye
2. Sensitivity to light
3. Blurred vision
4. Severe redness of the affected eye
5. A weakened immune system and are being treated for cancer or HIV
6. A pre-existing eye condition
7. Symptoms that get worse

Your eye doctor may give you oral antibiotics, antibiotic eye drops, or allergy medication to treat conjunctivitis. If symptoms don’t improve within 24 hours of starting antibiotic treatment, the CDC recommends contacting your doctor.

4. Pain in the eyelids caused by a stye

A stye is focal inflammation that causes a lump on the eyelid, often near the eyelashes. It can be caused by a clogged oil passage that becomes infected with bacteria, becomes inflamed and painful. This swelling at the edge of the eyelid usually lasts for a few days, then bursts open and heals on its own. Some styes require medical attention. Like a pimple, a chalazion is caused by a blocked oil gland in the eyelid and usually develops on the back of the eyelid. With a chalazion, the pain goes away but the swelling doesn’t. Medical intervention may be needed if the pimple doesn’t break up on its own — especially if it’s on the inside of your eyelid.

a. Treat sore eyelids with a stye or chalazion

Styes and chalazion are not dangerous and do not usually affect vision. However, in some cases, an infection can develop around a stye or chalazion, requiring treatment with antibiotics. To diagnose eye infections, it is always best to contact an ophthalmologist. Typically, a warm compress applied at home several times a day can help improve the condition; If it doesn’t, your eye doctor may prescribe antibiotics or minor surgery.

5. Eyelid pain from dry eyes

Although this eye condition affects the eyeball, some people with dry eyes may experience severe, irritated eyelids. Not surprisingly, the causes of dry eye are related to the moisture levels in the eyes. Perhaps there are too few tears, an imbalance in the nutrients in the tears so they don’t properly hydrate the eyeball, or the tears are evaporating too quickly. Some of the remedies include eye drops or lubes, using a humidifier, and taking breaks from the computer screen.

B. Effects Of Pulling Out Hair, Pulling Eyelashes Out

The compulsive act of pulling out eyelashes or hair confuses most people, often including those performing the act. This behavior, known as trichotillomania (What is trichotillomania?), is receiving increasing attention as psychiatric experts seek to improve their understanding of the human brain. However, people with the disorder are not only concerned with the causes of trichotillomania, but also with the effects of compulsively pulling out eyelashes and hair.

1. If I pull my eyelashes, will they grow back?

When you pluck your eyelashes, the thought comes, “Will they grow back?” may come to your mind. It’s a legitimate concern. When a hair falls out or when you pull it out, nature offers a kind of fresh start. Your hair will grow back most of the time, although sometimes it can take a while. However, if you repeat the action many times, growth in the affected area will slow down and eventually may stop altogether. Unfortunately, trichotillomania can result in permanent loss of hair, eyelashes, or eyebrows — or any body hair that exposes a person to this behavior. There are many physical complications that can arise from compulsive hair pulling. Plucking eyelashes and pulling hair often leads to infection and skin damage.

Many trichotillomania sufferers also deal with trichophagia, which is chewing or eating hair. According to the Trichotillomania Learning Center, “This behavior can range from harmless when the roots of the hair are nibbled and swallowed to dangerous when all the hairs are swallowed. Formation of a hairball (trichobezoar) can lead to intestinal obstruction and may require surgery. This is a rare but serious condition that can even be fatal if not treated promptly.”

2. Hair pulling leads to low self esteem

In addition to the physical effects mentioned above, hair pulling often leads to low self-esteem and emotional distress. The emotional impact of this condition is multifaceted. First, those affected question their own motivation without knowing why they are doing this. This alone creates doubt in a person. Add to this the visible physical signs of trichotillomania left by the behavior and you have a person who can lose confidence in their appearance and likely avoid social interactions to avoid detection. The loss of trust and social interaction turns into depression. Jennifer Raikes, a person who lives with the disorder every day, illustrates the extremes to which trichotillomania can affect a person’s life, stating, “…I’ve met hundreds of women and men with trichotillomania, big and small, because I ventured out a windy day to get married.”

3. Pulling eyelashes doesn’t have to end badly

It sounds like a horrible situation, but pulling out your eyelashes or any other hair on your body doesn’t have to result in a life of misery. Although many patients have gone untreated for years out of shame or ignorance, modern medicine offers relief to those who seek it. While there is no cure for trichotillomania, hair pulling help is available. As an impulse control disorder, there are specific therapies and medications that can help. Specialists often prescribe behavioral therapy, such as B. teaching relaxation techniques or cognitive therapy, along with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI antidepressants) that address the chemical imbalance in the brain associated with this disorder.

C. What Causes Eyelash Pain?

Eyelash pain has many possible causes. However, the pain comes from under and around the lashes, not from the lashes themselves. Your lashes cannot feel pain. That’s because they’re made from dead cells, which are mostly made up of keratin. Nerve signals do not travel through these cells. Instead, the base of each eyelash is covered by nerve fibers. When these nerves feel pain, it can feel like your real lashes are hurting.

1. What can give the impression of eyelash pain?

Many conditions can cause eyelash pain, so it’s important to pay attention to your other symptoms. Possible causes are:

a. Ingrown eyelashes

A common cause is ingrown eyelashes or trichiasis. The eyelashes grow towards the eye and rub against the eye and inner eyelid.

This can cause irritation and pain, along with:

1. Redness
2. Tear
3. Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
4. Feeling like something is in your eye

b. Blepharitis

Blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelids, is another common reason for eyelash pain.

Symptoms include:

1. Redness
2. Itch
3. Combustion
4. Feary eyes
5. Foam in the eye
6. Dryness
7. Sensitivity to light
8. Crusted eyelids or eyelashes

Typically, blepharitis occurs when bacteria spread to the skin near the eyelashes. It can also happen when the oil glands in the eyelids are clogged.

c. Barn

A stye is a red bump on the edge of the eyelid. It usually contains pus, so it can look like a pimple or ulcer.

Styes are painful, so your lashes will likely hurt. Other symptoms are:

1. Swelling
2. Teary eyes
3. Redness

d. Eyelash mites

Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis are two types of mites that can live on human skin. People who have large amounts of these mites on their skin can be diagnosed with a condition called demodicosis. Demodex mites can infest follicles anywhere on the body, including the outer ears and chest. They are usually found on the face, including the eyelashes.

Eyelash mites can cause eye irritation, along with:

1. Eyelash scales
2. Scab
3. Teary eyes
4. Itch
5. Combustion
6. Feeling like something is in your eye
7. Blurred vision
8. Chronic blepharitis

e. Entropion

Entropion occurs when your eyelid bends inward. This causes your eyelashes to rub against your eye, causing eye irritation.

You may experience eye and eyelash pain, along with:

1. Redness
2. Sensitivity to light and wind
3. Feeling like something is in your eye
4. Teary eyes
5. Rough eyelids
6. Mucus discharge

f. Eyelash lice

When pubic lice (Phthirus pubis) live and feed on the eyelashes, it is called phthyriasis ciliaris. Head lice are tiny, crab-like parasites that attach themselves to hair. This condition is rare, but it can happen if you touch hair with pubic lice and then touch your eyelashes.

Eyelash lice are usually itchy, which can cause your eyelashes to hurt. Other possible symptoms are:

1. Combustion
2. Swelling
3. Redness
4. Hardness
5. Brown or black spots along the eyelashes

g. Eyelash ptosis

In eyelash ptosis, the eyelashes of the upper eyelid curve downward. The eyelashes touch the surface of the eye, causing irritation. The condition can also affect your lower eyelid. In this case, the eyelashes curl up and brush your eye. This is called lower eyelid ptosis.

Irritation can be painful. Other symptoms are:

1. Redness
2. Feeling like something is in your eye
3. Drooping eyelids
4. Mucus discharge

h. Distichiasis

Distichiasis, or double lashes, is a rare condition characterized by two rows of lashes. It is often caused by a genetic mutation but can also be caused by trauma or inflammation.

Extra lashes irritate the eye, which can feel like lash pain. You can also have:

1. Drooping eyelids (ptosis)
2. Pigsty
3. Conjunctivitis
4. Sensitivity to light

2. Why do my eyelash extensions hurt?

Eyelash extensions are false eyelashes that are glued onto the base of real eyelashes. Extensions can make your lashes look fuller and longer.

But the glue used can hurt your lashes. Contains ammonia and latex which may cause contact dermatitis or blepharitis.

This can lead to eyelid or eye pain, along with:

1. Combustion
2. Dry eyes
3. Redness
4. Swelling of the eyelid
5. Itch

See a doctor if your eyelash extensions hurt. Consider switching to eyeliner and magnetic lashes. It is important to treat these symptoms to avoid more serious complications.

3. Why do my eyelashes hurt when I wear mascara?

Mascara, like other eye makeup, contains a mix of chemicals. These chemicals are considered safe for the eyes, however it is possible to be allergic or sensitive to certain ingredients. Eyelash pain may occur if you have an allergic or allergic reaction. Stop using the product immediately. Consider using mascara for sensitive eyes. It can be called a “hypoallergenic” mascara.

4. Why do my eyelashes hurt until I take them out?

You have hair follicles all over your body, including your eyelid. The base of each follicle is wrapped with nerve endings that interpret various sensations. By removing the eyelash, you remove that nerve input. When you pull on an eyelash, the nerve fibers in the follicle interpret the sensation as pain. In addition, the eyelid is very sensitive. It can hurt more to pluck eyelashes than other hair.

5. Prevent eyelash pain

To avoid conditions that cause eyelash pain, follow these lifestyle practices:

1. Remove scabs on your eyelids every day. Use mild soap and water.
2. Wash your hands before handling contact lenses. Avoid using them when your eyes are already irritated.
3. Use hypoallergenic eye makeup. If a product causes irritation, stop using it.
4. Never share your eye makeup with other people.
5. Throw away eye makeup after 3 months.
6. Wash off your makeup before bed.
7. Use artificial tears to reduce dry eyes and irritation.
8. Limit or avoid using eyelash extensions.

6. When to the doctor

If eyelash pain persists, see a doctor. You should also seek medical help if you:

1. Eye pain
2. Vision changes
3. Increased redness
4. Persistent swelling
5. Difficulty opening your eyes

7. Summary

Eyelash pain is often due to ingrown eyelashes or eyelid inflammation. Eye makeup, allergies, and injuries can cause irritation. In some cases, the pain may be related to eyelid or eyelash growth problems. See a doctor if your eyelash pain doesn’t go away. This is especially important if you have eye pain or blurred vision.