How to Treat Ingrown Eyelashes
Ingrown eyelashes are something that many people need to deal with at some point. If it’s ever happened to you, you’ll know how irritating it can be.
In the following post we are going to look at treatment for ingrowing eyelashes, but before we look at treatment, it’s worth understanding what causes them.
Flawless Tip: Dreaming of longer, stronger lashes?
Try the enchanting formula of our Lash Wizard Eyelash Serum to fulfill the desire for longer, stronger lashes.
SO, WHAT CAUSES INGROWN EYELASHES?
Ingrowing eyelashes is the term used to describe eyelashes growing inwards rather than outwards. As it continues to grow, it irritates your eyelid and eye. They are most common in adults and can affect the upper or lower eyelids.
Ingrown eyelashes often result from trauma, inflammation or another issue effecting the eyelid. There are various over-the-counter treatments for the symptoms, though the way to really deal with it is by removing it to avoid further discomfort and inflammation.
CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS
Ingrown eyes are identifiable by soreness and redness around your eyes. Watery eyes and blurry vision can also be symptoms.
There are also some medical eye conditions that can help to cause ingrown eyelashes, such as:
Trichiasis– This involves your eyelash turned inwards and rubs against your eyeball. If allowed to persist, it causes damage and scarring to the cornea. This is normally a follow-up effect after an initial bout of inflammation.
Distichiasis– an additional eyelash row that grows closer than normal to your eyes, rubbing against your eye and irritating it.
Blepharitis– This condition is caused by inflammation your eyelids.
Treatment For Ingrowing Eyelashes
While it’s true the condition is more commonly found in adults, children can be affected by ingrowing eyelashes too. Treatment for ingrowing eyelashes is similar for both types of people. The symptoms of irritation, redness and pain can be treated using ointments and eye drops, that are available over the counter or by prescription.
There are also at-home remedies such as soothing ointments and warm compresses you can make. A simple warm compress can be made simply taking a clean and soft cloth and soaking it with hot or warm water. You then just need to apply the compress to the area around the ingrowing eyelash for around 10-minutes.
Some organic and natural options for treatment for ingrowing eyelashes also include:
- Cucumber
- Honey
- Coconut oil
- Aloe Vera
Applying a little Coconut Oil or Aloe Vera to the affected eyelid can sooth it a little, and you can use honey that’s been melted in warm water to dab on it using a soft cloth. Another option if you don’t fancy those could be to slice up cucumber, cool them and then put them on your eyes to sit.
Although they won’t rid you of the problem, they will alleviate the irritation and discomfort.
Surgery may be required to treat the condition if it persists or is particularly severe.
INGROWING EYELASH REMOVAL
The only real way to treat ingrowing eyelashes is by removing them. Although you can do it yourself, it may be best to ask someone else do to it for you, as they will be better able to see the problem lash. One problem you may suffer from is the eyelash growing back again ingrown and it could be even more irritating and cause more uncomfortable symptoms the second time around than it did the first. When that occurs, if it does, you may need to see an ophthalmologist for a longer lasting or even permanent fix.
When removing the problem eyelash, the doctor uses pincers or forceps to grapple it and pull it out. As your eye heals, even after its removed, you may need to apply a course of eye drops to ease the discomfort.
There is also some radio surgery and eyelid surgery doctors can perform to help prevent it from occurring again. Radio surgery involves the doctor passing a current through the eyelash root with radio waves. This will not only remove the eyelash but will also affect a prevailing and continued problem.
Further options for treatment for ingrowing eyelashes include cryosurgery, involving as the name suggests lashes or follicles being frozen and then removed, and electrolysis which involves the use of electricity to remove the problem hair.
Depending on the treatment you opt for or not, you may experience greater or lesser amount of pain and have a longer or shorter recovery period.
Some treatments might be more painful or have a longer recovery period than others.
In summary, ingrowing eyelashes are a common problem and are one that can cause a lot of irritation and pain. Although you can use the above options for at-home and over-the-counter treatments, the best way to deal with it is to have it removed and seek out professional medical help.
You may also like to read: