Eyelashes are an easy add-on to a lovely face and something that one need not be adorbs about. They keep the eyes dust-free, trash-free, and free of other foreign outside particles external to the body. But along with it, naturally, come the sore, stinging, or burning eyelashes, and they wonder: Why do my eyelashes hurt? Painful eyelashes are a result of many conditions ranging from infection, allergy, dry eye, etc. In the section below, we present to you the cause of painful eyelashes, best treatment, and precautions to normal eyelashes.
Understanding Eyelash Pain
Eye lash pain is a misnomer since eye lashes are nerve ending-free. Pain has far more to do with eyelids, hair follicles, or lash skin, though. Burning, tenderness, or pruritus on the lash border defines pain. Determination of etiology of pain is of prime concern while designing the appropriate treatment.
Etiology determination of pain is of prime concern while designing the appropriate treatment.
Causes of Pain in Eyelashes
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Eyelash Mites (Demodex Infestation)
Demodex are parasitic mites that inhabit hair follicles. Because they typically inhabit human individual skin, an overabundance of them will be inflammatory and painful.
Symptoms of Eyelash Mites:
- Red lid
- Scaling or crumby debris around eyelashes
- Redness and inflammation
- Stinging or gritty eye
Treatment of Eyelash Mites:
- Tea tree oil treatment of the eyes
- Hygiene in lid eye wash
- Oily make-ups and cosmetic creams avoidance
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Blepharitis (Eye Lid Inflammation)
Blepharitis is posterior eyelash eye pain that repeatedly recurs chronically with lid redness. Blepharitis results from bacterial infection, clogged oil glands, or other eye skin diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis.
Symptoms of Blepharitis:
- Red lids
- Greasy or crumbey debris along lash line
- Sensitivity to light
- Feeling of something in the eye
Treatments of Blepharitis:
- Warm compresses to loosen debris
- Eyelids can be washed with gentle baby soap or shampoo, as directed
- Use ointments as directed by an eye expert, if directed
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Allergens and Irritants
Make-up of eyelashes, false eyelashes, mascara, or external allergens like dog dander on family pets are to be held responsible in causing eyelash swelling due to allergies in all of us.
Symptoms of Allergy:
- Watery burning red eyes or photophobia
- Swelling of the lids
- Burnings and sting
- Swelling lids
Prevention of Eyelash Allergies:
- Apply hypoallergenic skin and cosmetics
- Remove make-up from eyes at night
- Tear out allergens from the night at artificial wash
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Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)
Trichotillomania is an eyelash-pulling syndrome with a compulsion to pull eyelashes at inflammation and pain.
Symptoms of Trichotillomania:
- Notching of eyelash
- Tenderness of eye lid
- Relief of sensation in pulling lashes
Treatment Approaches:
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) in treating compulsive action.
- Utilization of stress management device or fidget toy.
- Utilization of transparent mascara to render the lashes untouchable.
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Ingrown Eyelashes (Trichiasis)
Ingrown eyelashes are where eyelashes turn inward in the opposite direction and result in irritating the eyeball, and itching.
Symptoms of Ingrown Eyelashes:
- Foreign body sensation in eye
- Redness and irritability
- Heavy tearing
Treatment of Ingrown Eyelashes:
- Removal of offending lash by plucking (temporary relief)
- Electrolysis or laser destruction
- Slight surgery in case of recurrence
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Eye Infections (Styes and Conjunctivitis)
Eye infection such as stye (hordeolum) and pink eye (conjunctivitis) also result in eyelash pain.
Symptoms and signs of Conjunctivitis and Stye
- Red, puffy swelling close to eyelashes
- Sore and puffy
- Discharge or pus
- Yellow stringy discharge from eye
- Light sensitivity
Treatment of Eye Infection:
- Warm compress for stye
- Use antibiotic ointment as prescribed
- Avoid touching or rubbing eyes
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Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye syndrome is a disorder of the eye in which the eyes are not able to produce tears in sufficient quantities, and that causes burning and stinging of eyelashes.
Symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome:
- Burning or stinging
- Something in the eye
- Eye blurring
- Sensitivity to wind and light
Relief from Dry Eyes:
- Artificial tears or lubricating drops
- Screen avoidance
- Moisturizing by consuming good foods high in plenty of omega-3 fatty acids
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Eyelash Extensions and Cosmetic Procedures
Eyelash pain is experienced by most people due to eyelash extensions, lash lifts, or artificial eyelashes.
Side Effects of Eyelash Extensions Common:
- Ask your doctor about clomiphene side effects
- Natural loss of lashes
- Risk of increased infection
Damage Avoidance:
Non-toxic, high-grade adhesives
Avoid rubbing or pulling the eyelashes
Take lashes away on vacation between visits
How to Relief Eyelash Pain
Whenever pain in the eyelashes occurs, use the following good remedies:
- Warm compresses to moisten the eyelids.
- Clean eyelids with soap.
- No eyeshadow when there is chronic irritation.
- Dry eye drops as a convenience.
- Consult an eye specialist if there is chronic irritation.
When to See a Doctor
Even though you may relieve mild eyelash pain at home, visit a doctor if you have:
- Redness, swelling, or pain that is ongoing
- Change in vision or blurry vision
- Water discharge or pus discharge
- Larger than a few days in diameter and does not get better
It can be diagnosed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist and appropriate treatment can be ordered.
Prevention of Future Eyelash Pain
Prevent eyelash pain by remembering the following few things:
- Daily washing of lashes for eye hygiene
- Removal of old make-up from eyes to avoid bacterial infection
- Evading rubbing eyes to avoid eyelash irritation
- Proper diet and sufficient water intake for healthy lashes
- Regular eye check-up to identify any hidden condition at its initial stage
Conclusion
Suboptimal eyelashes may be caused by an unbelievably long series of reasons that range from infection and allergic reaction, dry eye, to cosmetic treatment.
Pathogenesis must be diagnosed in time so that you can derive curative benefit. Daily cutting of eyelids, everyday make-up maintenance, doctor’s visit whenever necessary, and relaxing, comforting eyelashes all belong to you now. If your pathology is not self-limiting in origin, please do go for an eye checkup by an eye specialist so that your eye is in optimum condition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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My eyelashes are painful when I rub them. Why?
Palpation tenderness of the eyelashes is usually due to eyelash follicle infection, stye or blepharitis infection of the eyelid, or eyelash mites (Demodex infestation). Others include contact allergy, cosmetic irritation, or ingrown eyelashes. Still in pain? See an eye doctor.
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Insomnia or stress cause of eyelash pain?
Yes, stress and insomnia also cause eye strain, dry eyes, and immunosuppression, again to infection or conjunctivitis. Sleep hygiene even causes trichotillomania (eyelash-pulling syndrome), again disturbing.
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How do I know that I have eyelash mites?
Demodex (migrating mite) presentation is red, redness, inflamed lids, eyelash flaky scaliness, and sand in the eye. Shower with tea tree oil shampo and wash lid if dirty.
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What is mascara or eyelash extension as the etiology of eye irritation?
Falsies, true lash extensions, and certain mascaras are not desirable since they result in allergic contact dermatitis, adhesive hypersensitivity, or bacterial penetration with cumulative deposit. Hypoallergenic evening make-up removal will treat the condition.
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When should a doctor come over to me so I can get to know what is wrong about eyelash pain?
Have a physician visit you if you have:
- Chronic redness or swelling
- Discharge or pus from eyelid that is irritating
- Vision changed or blurred vision
- Recurrent mass on lash line
The doctor diagnoses and treats the underlying cause.