WAY OT!!! My son lost his eye lashes???update child abuse!!!!!

[mrsmiller]

Sorry that I am posting this in the budget board but is the only one that I always read....

Few days ago I noticed that some of my son's eye lashes were missing I thought that he had cut them I asked him and he said no, the next day all of them were gone in his left eye, I took him to his ped and he was not concern he said that they will grow back. Then he lost the one's in his right eye.

His eyes looks weird and he is blinking a lot I bought him tear drops and I did a search on webmd but found nothing as of why this happens

Has this ever happen to any of your kids? How long it took for the eye lashes to grow back? I am really worried
thanks
Again I am sorry that this is way ot....
Linnette

 

[ntink]

I don't know if this would only apply to eyelashes but you could check into alopecia - http://www.naaf.org/default2.asp
best of luck with this

 

[Scrap'nPatty]

Has he been sick at all? Allergies?
Some forms of OCD are linked to hair plucking or hair twisting.

If this is a first time thing I would try asking him questions about seeing other kids plucking their lashes etc.

If they do not grow back and/or you can not get your questions answered, you may ask for a blood work up to see if there is an unseen problem going on.

Don't let yourself get freaked out and think the worst.
It is prob just something he has seen other kids doing.

Patty

 

[mrsklamc]

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/dermatology/messages/30279.html

I found this... Did your pediatrician give you an explanation or just say they would grow back?

 

[DznyDreams]

Did the pediatrician offer an explanation for what may have caused this? This doesn't sound like a normal thing to me, but I'm no expert. If no explanation was offered, I think I might consult another doctor just to be safe. It's probably some strange childhood thing that will go away on it's own. I wouldn't be worried, but I don't think I'd stop researching the probable causes.

 

[littlestix]

Hi....
one of my nephew's pulled his eye lashes out when he was young. He started with the hair on top of his head. Anyway, I'm not trying to imply that this is your situation just wanted to make you aware that this can occur. I don't want to rattle on about something that does'nt pertain to you. If you find that in fact he is doing this to himself feel free to PM me. Maybe someone else will be able to help you.

 

[mrsmiller]

thanks for your replies...

I am really worried because a friend of mine told me that It could be cancer...
and I spent hours in the internet and did not find any information
so thanks
mrsklamc for the link I feel much better knowing that he is not alone,
when I took him to the doctor he only looked at his eyes and did an eye test but did not order any blood test he did tell me that maybe it was because of the video games and not to let him play for more than an hour a week so you can imagine how upset my son is. I will call him in the morning an I hope that he will order blood test for him

 

[mrsmiller]

the only thing is that I have never seen him pulling on his lashes, but will keep an eye and see
Linnette

 

[trulygoofy]

I know this won't help too much, but my nephew lost his eyebrows once. He had an allergic reaction to something. They grew back and it never happened again. I hope they grow back with no problem. I am sure it is hard to look at and not worry without knowing exactly what happened, but with kids there always seems to be something going on.

 

[Violet Crayon]

Hi....
one of my nephew's pulled his eye lashes out when he was young. He started with the hair on top of his head. Anyway, I'm not trying to imply that this is your situation just wanted to make you aware that this can occur. I don't want to rattle on about something that does'nt pertain to you. If you find that in fact he is doing this to himself feel free to PM me. Maybe someone else will be able to help you.

I hope it is ok for me to pop in, but that was a thought that came to my mind too. In elementary school one of my friends suffered from trichotillomania, she pulled out all of her eyelashes and parts of her eyebrows. None of us understood until later in middle school what was really happening. I hope things are figured out/ok.

 

[Piecey]

the only thing is that I have never seen him pulling on his lashes, but will keep an eye and see
Linnette

This happened to me, actually.. when I was little.
My mother and I were mystified, too.. but then I fell asleep on the couch one day and she said I started going crazy and rubbing my eyes really hard and pulling out my eyelashes in my sleep. I guess I was having some weird crazy nightmare! She made me wear gloves to bed and after a few weeks I was fine.

I'd really like to know what the heck I was dreaming about though..

 

[Scrap'nPatty]

I am really worried because a friend of mine told me that It could be cancer...
and I spent hours in the internet and did not find any information
so thanks

I was trying to stay away from the "C" word until you got more information.
Yes there are disease's and/or cancers that hair loss can be a symptom.
Even hormone changes can cause hair loss in both boys and girls.It can also cause an over growth of hair in the wrong places as well.

I am not a doctor, but I thought, or I am under the impression that hair loss in cancer cases usually effects all the areas of the area being treated with radiation.

I would sugest researching childhood cancers to see what to look for.
If for what ever reason you are still concerned, ask for a full blood work up. If cancer is present as in Luekemia, it will show in the blood. If another issue as a tumor or growth is the cause, not all will show in the blood in the begining stages.

You are his Mom and you need to follow your gut.

I have a coworker who noticed a growth on her then 7 yr son's testicles.
She took him in and the doctor said not to worry. But she had a very bad vibe and noticed it growing over the following months. She bypassed that doctor and took him to a specialist. after some very painful tests including biopsis, they found he did in fact have tescular cancer! It is VERY rare but not unheard of. The first doctor was not familar with it. Basically old school.."Boys don't get TC"
But they can and do. Ask Lance Armstrong!

You can afford a week to see if they grow back. But if there is still an issue, ask for the referal. If you don't new a referal, call and make an appointment.
Be prepared to have good documentation to assist the specialist.

Hang in there,
I am sending calming vibes to help you through.

Patty

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Typically hair loss with cancer only happens during treatment, someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

thanks for your replies...

I am really worried because a friend of mine told me that It could be cancer...
and I spent hours in the internet and did not find any information
so thanks
mrsklamc for the link I feel much better knowing that he is not alone,
when I took him to the doctor he only looked at his eyes and did an eye test but did not order any blood test he did tell me that maybe it was because of the video games and not to let him play for more than an hour a week so you can imagine how upset my son is. I will call him in the morning an I hope that he will order blood test for him

Because of video games? Is he really serious?? It's just like watching TV, watching a movie... I would be much more suspect of pulling them out in his sleep or heck, even overexposure to the sun (like if his eyelids got burned or something, it's happened to me! Last time I'll fall asleep sunbathing ) than video games... I just do not see the connection there.

I'd almost think that perhaps he is pulling them out while he's sleeping or even rubbing his eyes harder that's rubbing them out, people have done stranger you know!

 

[tink2dw]

Eyelash Loss
Provided by: DrDonnica.com
http://health.yahoo.com/ate/drdonnica/allqa/00026580

Q: My upper eyelashes have been falling out a lot lately, and then growing back uneven and sparse. It's mostly in the middle of my eyelid, right where it's most noticeable, and no amount of mascara or curling makes my lashes look any better. My eye doctor is stumped, and I'm worried I'll wind up without any lashes at all. Is there anything I can do?

A: To begin with, resist the temptation to apply false eyelashes, although that might be your solution once an infection or irritation is ruled out. The medical term for the loss of eyelashes is madarosis. This condition is often due to blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelids, but if you went to an ophthalmologist, chances are s/he would have been able to diagnose that. You didn't mention whether you've noticed hair loss anywhere else, such as the scalp. In that case, the eyelash loss may be part of a condition called alopecia areata. There are other possible causes too, ranging from rare hormonal problems (an under-active thyroid gland may case eyebrow loss) to unknowingly pulling your own eyelashes out as a nervous habit. I recommend consulting a dermatologist. If s/he says there's no infectious or inflammatory cause, then you can use false eyelashes until you see regrowth.

 

[MIDisFan]

I had this same thing happen to me when I was younger. Basically it was a nervous habit. I wouldn't actually pull them out. I would be rubbing them between my fingers which would cause them to fall out later. The pediatrician is probably thinking that is what it is if he didn't notice any infection around the eye lids. If I can remember correctly, mine grew back rather quickly. I'm sure he will be just fine.

 

[HeatherFeather]

My step daughter pulled out ALL of her eyelashes when she was 6 after a tragic family event. I guess it was the stress.

Later when she was about 11, she started pulling out the hair on her head to the point that when we picked her up for summer visitation, she only had a ring of hair on the crown of her head and the rest underpart was just about bald. I felt horrible for her. She said her mom took her to the pediatrician and he told her mom to shave her head!

We took her to a counselor and he diagnosed her as depressed but wouldn't take her as a patient since she was only with us over the Summer. She went home and they put her on Zoloft and all sorts of other weird meds.

Fast forward and she is almost 15....hair has grown back and pulling has about stopped but she says she still has to consciously decide NOT to do it. She is off the meds too, thank goodness. I just don't like medicating kids, KWIM?

So...there was my rambling drawn out answer. If anything traumatic or stressful has happened lately to your DS, perhaps he is pulling.

Best of luck...

 

[jcemom]

Wow, I think I would consult another doctor. The 'caused by playing too many video games' comment would probably spur me to switch pediatricians altogether. That just sounds ridiculous. Staring at the tv screen with cartoons on it for 4 hours a day, fine, staring at the tv with video games on it for 4 hours a day, your eyelashes fall out?! I can't be the only one who finds that just downright silly.

Good luck whatever you decide. I hope your DS is just fine. Hugs to you in the meantime!

 

[lilstint]

Is he on any kind of medication? The "blinking alot" comment makes me suspect an allergy. My niece did this when she had an adverse reaction to a medication she was taking. Children can develop allergies out of the blue.

I have NEVER heard of any kind of cancer causing eyelashes to fall out. Try not to worry about that. Although, I know how easy it is to flip out when your child is having wierd symptoms and you don't get a satisfactory explanation from your doctor. Believe me, I've been there.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Eyelash Loss
Provided by: DrDonnica.com
http://health.yahoo.com/ate/drdonnica/allqa/00026580

Q: My upper eyelashes have been falling out a lot lately, and then growing back uneven and sparse. It's mostly in the middle of my eyelid, right where it's most noticeable, and no amount of mascara or curling makes my lashes look any better. My eye doctor is stumped, and I'm worried I'll wind up without any lashes at all. Is there anything I can do?

A: To begin with, resist the temptation to apply false eyelashes, although that might be your solution once an infection or irritation is ruled out. The medical term for the loss of eyelashes is madarosis. This condition is often due to blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelids, but if you went to an ophthalmologist, chances are s/he would have been able to diagnose that. You didn't mention whether you've noticed hair loss anywhere else, such as the scalp. In that case, the eyelash loss may be part of a condition called alopecia areata. There are other possible causes too, ranging from rare hormonal problems (an under-active thyroid gland may case eyebrow loss) to unknowingly pulling your own eyelashes out as a nervous habit. I recommend consulting a dermatologist. If s/he says there's no infectious or inflammatory cause, then you can use false eyelashes until you see regrowth.

I had blepharitis as a child and suffered exactly the same symptoms as OP's son. Before you panic, take him to an opthamologist who can make a proper diagnosis. As I recall, mine gave me some type of oinment to apply to the lids. Mind you that was back in the early 1960's, so things may have changed.