Eyebrow Loss: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Eyebrow loss can be a symptom of various diseases or genetic predisposition. The problem occurs extremely rarely and is usually purely cosmetic. The most effective means of treatment is prevention.

What does eyebrow loss mean?

Eyebrow loss refers to excessive hair loss from the eyebrows, resulting in severe thinning of the eyebrows. The causes of the condition are varied, ranging from simple hypersensitivity to certain substances, to mineral deficiencies and vitamin deficiencies, to side effects of medications and psychological stress. Treatment methods are just as varied, ranging from dietary measures to medications and a wide variety of home remedies. Eyebrow loss can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet and sufficient exercise. However, if eyebrow loss still occurs, a doctor should be consulted in any case, who can determine the cause based on the symptoms and initiate adequate treatment.

Causes

If the eyebrows fall out, this often has hereditary or hormonal reasons. If the eyebrow loss occurs during menopause, for example, the falling estrogen level may be the cause. During pregnancy, the loss of eyebrows is often due to hormonal changes, the so-called postpartum effluvium. In addition, [[Diseases of the thyroid gland|Dysfunction of the thyroid gland]] severe infections or poisoning as well as metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus can weaken the hair roots. Trigger number one, however, is stress, often in conjunction with deficiencies in nutrition or deficiency symptoms caused by diet. Medications for high blood pressure, high blood lipid levels (ACE inhibitors, beta blockers) or cancer are also possible triggers. Otherwise, eyebrow loss can also be caused by allergies to cosmetic products, contact with irritating substances or by a thyroid dysfunction. Chemotherapy can also cause loss of scalp hair and eyebrows, in addition to other accompanying symptoms.

Symptoms, complaints and signs

Eyebrow loss is manifested by the hair thinning in certain areas of the eyebrows and a general decrease in hair density. Often, the hairs only fall out on one side or in a certain place, or they initially become brittle and dull. Affected persons can usually observe this immediately and thus diagnose the hair loss themselves. This also makes it possible to determine that the hair loss only affects the eyebrows, while the hair on the head and other body hair grows as usual. The complaints are mostly of a purely visual nature. Depending on the underlying cause, however, various accompanying symptoms may occur. Typical are itching, redness and the appearance of deficiency symptoms. In the case of chronic occurrence, the loss of eyebrow hair can lead to a lowered self-esteem and, under certain circumstances, to depressive thoughts.

Diagnosis and course

In most cases, the pattern of eyebrow loss already gives clues to the possible cause. The actual diagnosis can be made by a physician with the help of various examinations, such as blood and hair analyses, a medical history and, in rare cases, a scalp biopsy. Specifically, the medical professional will first look at the eyebrows as well as the scalp hair and nails to determine if a skin condition is present. The pattern of eyebrow loss allows for an initial suspicion. Then, depending on the suspicion, the doctor will perform a clinical epilation test or a plucking test. Does the hair come off even with light plucking? Is the eyebrow hair possibly brittle? Do the hairs fall out evenly or do the thinning areas only occur on one eyebrow? All these questions give clues not only to the diagnosis, but also to the prognosis. For example, if scarring hair loss is detected, the hair may no longer grow evenly. If, on the other hand, the hair falls out without any noticeable redness or discomfort, it will usually grow back. Furthermore, individual hairs and their structure can be examined more closely under the microscope. Finally, a tissue sample is taken from the scalp under local anesthesia (scalp biopsy) to clearly confirm the initial suspicion.In conjunction with a blood test, inflammation levels, the iron content in the blood, immune phenomena and other factors can be determined. In men, an examination of the sex hormones can also be performed if androgenic alopecia is suspected. Provided a rapid and definitive diagnosis is made, eyebrow loss can be treated without long-term consequences. The symptoms are mostly of a purely cosmetic nature and occur in episodes. Only accompanying symptoms of the underlying disease can take a negative course depending on the cause and lead, for example, to inflammation, which must be treated independently.

Complications

In most cases, eyebrow loss does not lead to medical complications that could be dangerous to the body. However, the patient does not find himself aesthetically pleasing after eyebrow loss. Therefore, depression and feelings of stress may occur afterwards, as the affected person is no longer satisfied with his or her appearance. There is a decrease in self-esteem, which often leads to a depressed mood. If these psychological problems occur, a psychologist should be consulted. The eyebrow loss itself cannot be prevented by this, but the psychological thoughts will be curbed. Direct treatment is not possible. However, it is possible to draw the eyebrows above the eyes again by cosmetics. Mostly the eyebrow loss occurs only by a shampoo or by a wrong nutrition, so that it can be fought very simply again and it comes to a positive course of the disease. If, in addition to the eyebrows, the hair also falls out, a doctor should be consulted. A doctor must also be consulted if eyebrow loss occurs alongside another disease. It is not uncommon for the body to lack iron and protein in eyebrow loss, so the patient should increase the intake of these ingredients through food. Usually, eyebrows grow back completely after several weeks.

When should you go to the doctor?

If isolated eyebrow hairs fall out, this is not yet a reason for a visit to the doctor. The cause is usually stress, an intolerance or hormonal changes – factors that should return to normal after some time. However, if the complaints persist for several months or take on alarming proportions, medical help is needed. The thinning of the eyebrows may then be due to a serious metabolic disease (e.g. diabetes mellitus). Often, eyebrow loss is also due to malnutrition, which must be diagnosed and treated. A visit to the doctor is recommended if other symptoms such as fatigue, dandruff or redness appear on the eyebrows. If the eyebrow loss persists without any apparent reason or accompanying symptoms, the doctor should also be consulted. It is possible that there is an undetected allergy to cosmetic products or an allergy that needs to be addressed accordingly. The causes of hair loss should be determined in any case to exclude further complications. At the latest, if eyebrow loss is associated with physical or psychological discomfort, the causes must be clarified.

Treatment and therapy

Eyebrow loss is treated depending on the cause. Often it is a relatively harmless causes such as an irritating shampoo or improper diet, which can usually be met by simple measures. Allergies and intolerances of all kinds can be treated by simply avoiding the allergens and harmful substances. An early visit to the doctor helps to prevent further hair falling out.

Outlook and prognosis

The prognosis in eyebrow loss depends on the underlying causes of the condition. If the loss of eyebrows was the result of a contact allergy, it is usually quite sufficient to consistently avoid the substance to which there is hypersensitivity. The eyebrows will then usually grow back within a few weeks. The same applies in the case of food intolerance. A negative prognosis is to be expected at most if the allergen cannot be identified or is difficult to avoid for professional or practical life reasons.Even in cases where the loss of eyebrows is due to malnutrition, the affected person can assume that the eyebrows will grow back as soon as the missing nutrient is identified and supplied again in sufficient quantities. A problematic course is only to be expected if the nutrient deficiency is the result of an eating disorder such as bulimia or anorexia. Then, very often, psychotherapeutic treatment of the underlying disease is necessary to permanently eliminate the deficiency. The loss of eyebrows can also be the result of drug treatment. In these cases, too, the hair usually grows back after the medication is discontinued. Permanent loss of eyebrows is usually only to be expected if there have been injuries to the face, for example burns or chemical burns. In these cases, cosmetic or plastic surgery procedures may be required to reconstruct the eyebrows.

Prevention

Eyebrow loss can only be prevented to a limited extent, as it is usually hereditary. However, the risk can be minimized by leading a healthy lifestyle with a varied diet and plenty of exercise. This can at least prevent a lack of protein and iron, which can promote the loss of hair. At the first signs of eyebrow loss, self-observation can often determine what may be weakening or irritating the hair roots.

Aftercare

After successful treatment of eyebrow loss, follow-up care is usually not necessary. This is because the typical symptoms do not recur. Only in rare and severe cases, the renewed consultation of a doctor may be useful. In this case, a blood test is particularly suitable, on the basis of which a protein and iron deficiency can be determined. As a rule, persistent and improper nutrition causes weakening of hair roots. Eyebrow loss is not a life-threatening disease; rather, those affected suffer from the psychological consequences of hair loss. Once shame and a diminished sense of self-worth have set in, often only accompanying psychotherapy can help. This enables patients to return to their natural everyday lives. A recurrence of the symptoms can usually only be insufficiently counteracted. This is due to the fact that the loss of eyebrows is hereditary or stems from the professional and private environment. Such factors can only be inadequately remedied. In practice, a healthy and sufficient diet and the avoidance of certain triggers can mitigate the effects. The cosmetic industry can also help to prevent the failure from becoming visible. For this, however, after medical instruction, no follow-up care is absolutely necessary.

What you can do yourself

Eyebrow loss represents an unpleasant symptom and usually brings aesthetic problems. While a steady slight loss of hair and brows is considered normal, a doctor should be consulted in case of increased hair loss. Self-help against the stressful hair loss is a balanced diet that provides the body with sufficient nutrients. Those who supply the body with all the nutrients it needs can avoid deficiencies and thus also prevent further symptoms. Furthermore, the use of mild cosmetics and washing products is recommended, as aggressive shampoos, make-ups, etc. can trigger hair loss. Since hair and eyebrow loss can often be triggered by stress and psychological strain, sufficient relaxation in everyday life is also important. With relaxation exercises, meditations, yoga, etc., the mind can come to rest and leave the stresses of everyday life behind. Some people also need the sporting activity to regenerate and to be able to compensate for the stress. The small self-help tips can be easily incorporated into everyday life to counteract eyebrow loss. If the self-help tips show no or only a small effect, a doctor should find out the background of the eyebrow loss and treat the patient accordingly.