Pulling Out Eyelashes - Why Do I Do It?

By Jane Thisk

If you regularly find yourself pulling out eyelashes then you might wonder just what makes you do it. The truth is that it isn't weird, and it's a lot more common than you might realise. It's part of a disorder known as trichotillomania, causing people to pull hair from various areas of the body.

People of all ages can develop this hair pulling habit at any time, and the hair is most commonly pulled from the scalp. However, eyebrows, eyelashes and just about any other kind of hair can also be pulled out, though different individuals show different signs.

What Eyelash Pulling Can Do

The results of this condition are often more emotional than they are physical. This means that you might start to see bald spots where you pull out too many hairs. This is true for any area of the body, whether this is the eyelashes or on the head.

If you're finding that eyelash pulling is getting bad then there are ways in which you can try to cover up, including the use of makeup and false eyelashes. However, you can also try a number of treatment options.

Treatment for Eyelash Pulling

There are many different treatments for pulling out eyelashes, and for trichotillomania in general:

Medication, Psychotherapy, Keeping your hands busy, Making your eyelashes hard to pull, Meditation and relaxation.

When you visit a doctor they will not necessarily have heard of this condition before. Though millions of people have it, doctors will often misdiagnose it. This is why it's so important that you understand it yourself.

Getting Support

When it comes to stopping pulling out eyelashes it isn't going to be easy. Some people struggle with trichotillomania all of their lives, though most find their own ways of dealing with it one way or another. Remember, there is no cure that can work for everyone.

A great place to start is to chat to people online who also have trichotillomania. It might be hard at first, but over time you will find it a great comfort to talk to people who really understand what you are going through.

About the Author: