Itchy Eyebrows

Very thin or extremely bushy eyebrows can mar the beauty of your face. Hence, proper eyebrow care and maintenance is a must. However, sometimes a condition called itchy eyebrows can give you a tough time. If you have itchy eyebrows, falling out of hair may be the next thing that you can expect.

Hence, it is important that you know the causes and treatment options available for itchy eyelashes and eyebrows.

Itchy eyebrows after waxing is a very common phenomenon. Most women who wax their eyebrows will experience this condition at some point of time in their lives. It is a well established fact that pulling your hair on a regular basis affects their growth and eventually the hair ceases to grow.

When you wax your hair on a routine basis, you damage the hair follicles, which become weaker after every waxing session. As a result you will notice that you have to wax your brows less frequently. If you used to wax your eyebrows every 6 weeks, you may now need to do them only once in a couple of months.

Along with itching, you may also notice thinning of eyebrows with regular waxing. Patches of eyebrow become hairless while other areas show very sparse hair.

This condition can be improved if you stop waxing your hair for some time and resort to other methods of shaping your brows such as trimming eyebrows or plucking eyebrows. Most likely your eyebrow hair will grow back. Besides, the itching may also soon subside.

A condition named seborrheic dermatitis may affect facial skin, including eyebrows, eyelids, eyelashes, etc. Apart from the obvious symptom of dry, itchy eyebrows, the other symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis include itchy eyelids, redness, white or yellow flakes, oily scales on the skin and falling out of brow hair.

Causes of seborrheic dermatitis in eyebrows include stress, fatigue, HIV/AIDS, seasonal change to winter, neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease, etc. A fungus named malassezia which grows on the skin is also responsible for this condition.

Diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, sensory nerve trauma are some diseases that can cause this condition. Besides, eye infection, insect bites can also cause red, itchy eyebrows. An allergic response to a certain makeup product may also lead to this condition.

Itchy eyebrows is a condition which is not necessarily contagious, hence can be treated at home. Itchy, red eyebrows due to waxing can be treated using a soothing gel such as aloe vera gel. Besides, other anti-inflammatory creams may also help in soothing the irritated area. Other conditions such as dandruff can be cured by following good hygiene measures.

» Avoid using harsh soap for your face as it could further irritate the damaged area.
» Use a gentle cleanser and remove the suds completely from your skin.
» Keep the eyebrows dry and clean throughout the day.
» Avoid rubbing or scratching your eyebrows, as it can spread the infection to nearby areas.

Your doctor may prescribe you an antifungal cream which can help to clear the fungal infection. Over the counter anti-itching medications and ointments may also help in keeping the itching under control. If the urge to scratch your eyebrows becomes unbearable, try covering them in a dressing or bandage.

If your itchy eyebrows do not show any sign of healing you might want to consult your doctor. After assessing your medical history and checking your symptoms the doctor should be in a position to diagnose your condition.

If you suffer from this condition, do seek medical help to diagnose the underlying cause and initiate corresponding treatment. This condition is not serious and often responds well to medical treatment.

The information presented in this story is for reference purpose only and not for self-diagnosis/ treatment. We do not encourage its usage as an alternative for medical practitioner's advice.