Dramatic And Persistent Loss Of Eyelashes
May 2015
in “
JRSM open
”
TLDR If a child is losing a lot of eyelashes and it keeps happening, doctors should look carefully at their health history because it might be a sign of a different health problem.
A 12-year-old boy experienced a three-year history of bilateral eyelash loss without other hair loss or associated symptoms. Examination revealed multiple broken hairs along the eyelid margins, suggesting trichotemnomania, an obsessive-compulsive habit of cutting or shaving hair. Differential diagnosis ruled out alopecia areata due to the absence of typical hair patterns. Trichotillomania (TTM) was considered, a condition often linked to psychological disorders and common in children. Despite various treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy, the condition persisted. The study highlighted the complexity of managing TTM and the potential need for combined behavioral and pharmacological interventions.
