When she was very young, 2 or 3, her dad told her to make a wish from an eyelash that came out and then blow it. I soon saw her pulling her eyelashes out so that she could make a wish. I would tell her to stop when I saw her doing it, but after a while I noticed that her eyelashes were still dissapearing. I talked to her about it and explained how beatiful her eyelashes were. The lashes began to grow back in and she pulled them, telling me that they itch and was bothering her eyes. This went on for a long time. Now she is 10 and not long ago she had all her lashes. Well, here we go again, she is saying that they itch and bother her even with them at full length. Right now she has one eye without lashes and the other has only a little left. What can I do? Please help me to help her! She is so beautiful and with long, full lashes when she lets them grow.
Wow, I didn't expect so many responses in less than 24 hours. This was the first time I posted anything on here. Thank you everyone for the advise and probable causes. I honestly do believe, however that they irritate her. I don't believe that she has the OCD, or anxiety, depression disorder, but I certainly won't rule that out completely. I will keep that in mind and look more into that if the other possibilities are ruled out. She is a very free spirited, happy girl.
This is a symptom of a specific type of obsessive-compulsive disorder called Trichotillomania. The peak age of onset of this condition is 9 to 13. It may be triggered by depression or stress. Behavioral therapy is the recommended approach.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichotillomania
My cousin has a disorder that causes her to pull out her body hair, including her eyelashes and eyebrows. My grandmother had the same disorder, just milder and she pulled out all the hair on her legs. My cousin takes medication to control the urge to pull her hair out, but when she doesn't take her meds she pulls her eyelashes. She also says the same thing; that they itch and bother her. Oh, but my cousin hasn't pulled her hair out in over 5 years now because of the medication she's on.
I'm not saying your daughter has the same disorder, but if she continues pulling out her eyelashes or is pulling out any other body hair I would talk to the doctor.
THis sounds like the obsessive compulsive disorder that deals with JUST hair... taking her to the Dr for a psych consult may be very helpful. Some ppl with that disorder will actually create BALD spots on their head, eyebrows and lashes.
It's not (just) about what she heard at age two or three, hair pulling, including eyelashes, is a sign of anxiety, like nail biting.
I was a nail biter, though in my case, I only bit my nails in times of stress.
So yes, at ten, she is pre-pubescent, she is maturing rapidly and it is a stressful time. So maybe, like me, that's all it is and she will again grow out of it.
My own daughter, however, has a more severe anxiety disorder and is now in therapy (having to do with eating, germs and getting sick.)
Try not to make TOO big a deal out of it unless she is literally pulling all of her lashes out. Then yes, by all means, get some professional help!
There is a condition called Trichotillomania. Which is pulling out eye lashes, hair, etc.
Talk to her Dr. about this.
If this is what she has then there are treatments and therapies available.
It could also just be a bad habit induced from childhood. Either way, therapy could help - be it behavior mod or drug therapies.
Good Luck
God Bless
F., I don't have any scientific proof, but I think a deficiency of calcium-magnesium (which is calming) may be involved in this disorder. I used to pull some of my hair out. But after being on supplements for some time, I find having a hair pulled out very unpleasant and no longer feel compelled to do it.
Maybe they really DO bother her. I know we all long for thick, long lashes and will do anything to have them (mascara, eyelash extensions, Latisse)... but to some, they are a burden and a curse. I had a male co-worker who said he could not wear contacts because his eyelashes were so long that they'd poke him in the eye and sometimes they'd move or pull the contact lens out of his eye altogether, and they'd scratch his corneas, making his eyes red. He used an eyelash curler and glasses until his eyelashes started bothering him once again. I think his eyelashes were ingrown, or inverted, not sure of the correct term. Anyhow, he ended up trimming them and that is how he solved his problem, so if your daughter's eyelashes really get inside her eyes and bother her, maybe a trim is in order, or better yet, take her to the ophthalmologist so he can try to see if this is really her issue or if it is something else. I am sure he will have some advice if the eyelashes are truly causing trouble for her eyes.
This does sound like Trichotillomania. My sister had this when she was a teenager. She pulled all of her hair out and had to wear a wig. She is now 21 and has stopped (has beautiful hair now). She went through therapy and special schools. I am not thinking your daughter is that extreme. I do think maybe a counselor can help. Sometimes this is a childs way to deal with stress or anger. I hope you can get her some help.
It's a form of OCD or Tourettes. You must find a way to reduce her stress. Either find someone who does reflex integration or have her take a kid's yoga class or breathing, relaxation and visualization. It's all about how we handle our stress.
Can her dad tell her that you can't make a wish when you pull your eyelashes out? Like how you can't yank your teeth out to get the tooth fairy to come at night and give you money for a tooth. Sounds like dad has to fix the problem... if not I'd try explaining that wishes aren't legit if you pull the lashes out. I'd suggest a therapist to help her resolve this issue, but that'd be a last resort.
Wow, I didn't know you could have OCD with hair. Maybe that is something to look into too.
I would have to agree with all the others saying about the OCD thing. Has she ever shown any other signs of this other than pulling out eyelashes? does she seem to have anxiety issues? I would talk to the doc about this. since she has been doing it for 7 or 8 years or so, I wouldnt think that just that one time with dad would cause her to do this. maybe the first times, when she didnt understand. but this could be a sign of something else....
