Some people assume that hair loss only affects the scalp, but that’s not the case. You can lose hair from all over the body, including your eyebrows and eyelashes, which is specifically called madarosis and is caused by a wide variety of issues.
So, what exactly is madarosis, and what are the causes, symptoms, and treatments? Learn all you need to know about this condition right here.
What is Madarosis?
Madarosis is a medical term that refers to the loss of eyelashes and eyebrows. It is not a medical diagnosis; however, as there are many things that can cause madarosis, you must speak to a doctor to find out the underlying cause. We will go further into the most common causes a little further down.
It’s worth noting the difference between scarring madarosis and non-scarring madarosis. Scarring madarosis is when there is permanent damage to the hair follicles, which means the hair will likely never grow back. On the other hand, non-scarring madarosis is likely reversible.
Is Madarosis Serious?
It depends on what is causing madarosis and what you might define as serious. There are some conditions that cause madarosis that are very serious and can affect a person’s health for their entire lives.
Aside from the varying ailments that can cause madarosis, it’s important to also consider the impact eyebrow and eyelash loss can have on a person’s confidence and mental well-being. Losing hair from anywhere can make a person feel self-conscious, and that is only worsened when the hair is in such an obvious place as the face. It’s particularly hard to lose the eyebrows, as they form a crucial part of the face’s framing and depiction of emotions and expressions. As stated in Annapurna Kumar A Marker of Many Maladies: [1]
“Because of the involvement of the eyebrows in demonstrating various emotions, the restoration of eyebrows is more important cosmetically than scalp hair when there is a loss of both.”
Madarosis Symptoms
Here are the most common symptoms of madarosis to watch out for:
- Loss of eyebrows or eyelashes
- Change of eyebrow or eyelash colour or texture
- Redness
- Itching
- Crusting
- Scarring
- Hair loss in other areas of the body
Common Causes of Madarosis
There are many potential causes of madarosis eyebrows or madarosis eyelashes, some of which will respond better to a hair loss treatment than others. We’ll go into some of the most common here.
Skin Conditions
There are many potential dermatological causes that can lead to the loss of your eyebrow and eyelash hair. That includes psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis. Many of these can cause itchiness, and the scratching may make the hair loss worsen. While many of these skin conditions do not have a cure, you can receive helpful and effective treatments from a doctor or dermatologist.
Fungal Infections
Fungal infections cause symptoms such as itchiness, scaling, hair fragility, and – yes – hair loss. Some fungal infections may affect the eyebrows and eyelashes, leading to hair loss in these areas. Common treatments include antifungal creams and steroids.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Some nutritional deficiencies can lead to hair loss. Some vitamin deficiencies that are linked to hair loss include vitamin B12, zinc, biotin, vitamin D, and iron. [2] If you think a nutritional deficiency is causing your madarosis, you’ll need to get a blood test done at a doctor’s office.
Trauma
Trauma can lead to hair loss, including hair loss of the eyebrows and eyelashes. One example that you might not consider is plucking your eyebrows or pulling out your eyelashes – this repetitive trauma may damage the hair follicles over time and lead to the hair not growing back. Other types of more serious trauma, such as injuries, can also cause eyebrow and eyelash loss.
Autoimmune Conditions
There are many autoimmune conditions that can lead to the loss of eyebrow hair and eyelash hair (as well as hair loss in other places on the body). Some examples include alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and discoid lupus erythematosus.
Lichen Planopilaris
Lichen Planopilaris isn’t that common, but it can lead to permanent hair loss of the eyebrows and lashes. There is no exact cause of Lichen Planopilaris, and diagnosis can be a little tricky. It occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys the hair follicles.
Skin Cancers
Some skin cancers can cause eyebrow and eyelash hair loss. Basal cell carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer that is usually not deadly, although it can be in certain circumstances, especially if a person does not receive treatment. Symptoms include a growth on the skin, irritation, a red patch, and a shiny red bump. It can also cause hair loss, including from the scalp, eyebrows, and lashes.
Another common skin cancer that may lead to hair loss is squamous cell carcinoma, which is typically not life-threatening. Symptoms include a raised growth, a flat sore, a scaly patch, and a sore that sometimes bleeds. If you experience any of this, it’s vital to see your doctor.
Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
This type of hair loss specifically affects menopausal women and, as such, is commonly referred to as postmenopausal frontal fibrosing alopecia. It affects the scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows, causing symptoms such as redness, itching, and hair loss. While there is no exact cause, it’s believed to be connected to hormones and genetics.
Thyroid Conditions
Thyroid conditions, including hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, can cause hair loss. You will need a blood test to determine if you have a thyroid condition. Other symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, brittle hair, and dry skin.
Lepromatous Leprosy
Lepromatous leprosy is a type of leprosy that causes symptoms such as skin ulcers, finger and toe deformities, loss of sensation, and loss of eyebrow and eyelash hair. It occurs when you come into close contact with another person who has leprosy. Treatment is available but challenging, including drugs such as clofazimine and dapsone. [3]
Certain Medications
Some medications have a side effect of hair loss, which can cause the eyebrows and eyelashes to fall out. This includes chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which are often used to treat cancers. You may also experience hair loss from anticoagulant and antithyroid medications. If you experience hair loss from any medication, it’s best to speak to your doctor about it.
What to Do if You Notice Madarosis
If you notice madarosis – that is, hair loss around the eyebrows and lashes – you should book an appointment with your doctor. The diagnosis might be simple; for example, you might have an already known case of contact dermatitis, and your doctor may be able to determine that quickly. In other cases, examinations may be necessary to determine the cause. Some tests for this include a skin biopsy, blood tests, a dermoscopy, and a skin swab.
Is Madarosis Reversible?
It depends on the cause. Scarring madarosis, which is when the hair loss has destroyed the hair follicles, usually means that the hair loss is not reversible. On the other hand, non-scarring madarosis typically leads to the hair growing back over time.
Madarosis Treatment Options
Madarosis treatments depend on the cause. Here are some of the best ways to treat the condition and hopefully stimulate hair growth.
Treating the Underlying Condition
It’s always best to treat an underlying condition when you experience hair loss, as this may lead to hair regrowth. For example, if you have eczema around the eyebrows, a steroid cream may work well for clearing up the eczema and allowing the hair to grow back. If a fungal infection is causing eyebrow or eyelash hair loss, an antifungal medication is the way to go.
Hair Loss Medications
Hair loss medications can help you grow back your hair. The two most common types of medication include minoxidil and finasteride. The former you can get over the counter and works by stimulating blood flow to the hair follicles. The latter, finasteride, is a prescription-only medication for men that works by blocking the hormone DHT. You would benefit from downloading a hair track app to monitor regrowth when using this method.
An Eyebrow Hair Transplant
You can get hair transplants for your brows, and they work excellently. The best method is the FUE hair transplant, which involves extracting healthy hair follicles from the scalp and implanting them into your eyebrow area, leading to restoration. It’s a permanent solution for those with long-term madarosis. It’s best to be aware that most hair transplants lead to more hair loss at first, which is when the hair shafts fall out. However, this then leads to new, healthier, fuller growth.
An Eyelash Transplant
Yes – you can get a hair transplant for your eyelashes. It works similarly to the eyebrow hair transplant, involving the extraction of hair follicles from somewhere else on the body. However, the grafts are then inserted using a needle – it’s a very meticulous procedure and takes around four hours.
Final Thoughts
Madarosis is not a medical condition in itself – instead, it’s a common symptom of many other conditions, from fungal infections to certain skin cancers to autoimmune disorders. If you notice madarosis, speak to a doctor as soon as possible, as the sooner you determine the cause, the quicker you can begin the best treatment option for you.
Are you interested in a hair transplant? It’s an excellent solution for those with scalp and eyebrow hair loss. We offer high-quality transplants here at Harley Street Hair Clinic, so get in touch to start your hair restoration journey today. If you want to learn more, head on over to our patients gallery to see what results you can expect.
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