Eyelashes provide protection for your eyes from wind, chemicals and dust. A few eyelashes will fall out during the course of the hair's normal cycle, but there are other conditions that might cause eyelashes to fall out more rapidly. Consult with your physician to ensure that there is no serious medical condition that is contributing to the hair loss.
Normal Life Cycle
Eyelashes, just like body hair, go through a normal growth process. The process is divided into three phases, according to Follicle.com. The first phase is the growth phase, also known as anagen. The growth phase can range from 2 to 6 years. The second phase is the transitional phase, also known as catagen. The transitional phase is relatively short, lasting about 1 to 2 weeks. During the transitional phase, the hair begins to break down. The last phase is known as telogen, when hairs go into a resting phase just before falling out so a new hair can grow back in its place.
Hair Loss Diseases
Your eyelashes can also fall out due to certain hair loss diseases. Alopecia areata can cause hair loss on your scalp, eyebrows, beard and eyelashes. Blepharitis can result in loss of eyelashes, according to the Mayo Clinic. Blepharitis can become a serious condition if left untreated. Other symptoms of blepharitis include a sty on your eye, excessive teary or dry eyes, chronic pink eye and skin problems related to your eyelids. Since blepharitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor can prescribe antibiotic eye drops in addition to recommending thorough cleansing of the site on a frequent basis and the use of eye creams or ointments.
Psychological Disorders
Trichotillomania is a psychological disorder when an individual twists, rubs or pulls out hair. There is no known cause as to why people do this, according to the EyeBeautyTips website. If a person suffers from this type of disorder, it is often more apparent during times of stress.
Contact Allergic Dermatitis
Contact allergic dermatitis occurs when you come into contact with a substance that you may be allergic to. The most common cause for loss of eyelashes due to contact allergic dermatitis is eye makeup, according to the EyeBeautyTips website. Depending upon the severity of the allergic reaction, your doctor may recommend different treatment options such as a topical steroid, cream or oral steroids.
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