Madarosis

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Madarosis
Specialty Dermatology, ophthalmology, optometry

Madarosis is a condition that results in the loss of eyelashes, and sometimes eyebrows. The term "madarosis" is derived from the ancient Greek "madaros", meaning "bald". [1] Eyelashes are important in the prevention of bacteria and other foreign objects entering the eye. Some studies found that between 45 and 76 percent of patients with various types of leprosy had madarosis. [2]

Contents

Signs and symptoms

Madarosis is not a critical or severe condition. The main symptom and sign of madarosis is the loss of hair from the eyelids, eyebrows, or eyelashes. Many symptoms are from other diseases involved.

Causes

There are various causes of madarosis. [3]

Pathophysiology

There are two major pathways. In the non-scarring pathway, the hair follicles remain intact which could potentially be reversed with the proper diagnosis and treatments. [6] In the scarring pathway, the follicles are permanently lost due to tissue damage, atrophy, or inflammation. [7]

The severity of the pre-existing condition determines which type of madarosis occurs.

Diagnosis

The main diagnosis technique is observing the area. Then blood tests can be done to determine if there is a pre-existing condition. Family history can be considered because some of the related causes/conditions can be inherited.

Classifications

There are two major types of classifications of madarosis. The first is labeled as "non-scarring." Non-scarring the hair has the ability to regrowth after treatment of the primary disorder. Scarring madarosis is when the hair loss is permanent and can only regrow after cosmetic treatments. [8]

Prevention

The only prevention method is determining the underlying condition before treatment options are too late.[ citation needed ]

Treatments

Madarosis has different possible treatments and can be reversed if treated early enough. The treatments for madarosis are completely dependent upon the pre-existing condition. When treating blepharitis, antibiotics are used to combat the bacterial infection. People with trichotillomania need to seek behavioral and psychological help.[ citation needed ] Many people look to hair transplant surgeries, especially in non-scarring cases. These surgeries are mainly used as a cosmetic reason rather than a medical one. There are also other treatments that can be used for cosmetic purposes.

Surgical treatments

There are restoration surgeries for the eyebrows in severe cases. Many surgeons opt for nylon implants, but have been banned in some countries due to infections. Follicular transplantation is now the procedure of choice. In this surgery, hair samples are individually taken for a donor area and transplanted into the thinning area. Small incisions are made and grafts are placed individually according to the amount of hair in each follicle, eyebrows single. In this procedure, there are no scars or stitches and hair begins to grow after a few months post surgery. [9]

Medications

Minoxidil is a common topical treatment of eyebrow hair loss due to alopecia areata. There are other topical treatments (latanprost or bimatroprost) that are mainly used to treat glaucoma that can also be used to lengthen, thicken, and change the pigments of the lashes. [10]

Cosmetic treatments

Many people use cosmetic treatments to cover the loss of the hair, such as applying artificial eyelashes, tattooing eyebrows/eyelashes, penciling in the eyebrows or using mascara to make the existing eyelashes look longer. Some people even use eyeliner to make the eye stand out when lacking eyelashes.

Recent research

There is currently researching being done to find more treatments dependent on the different pre-existing conditions.

Studies are being conducted in which madarosis can be related to malignancy. A study by Groehler and Rose found that there was a statistical significance between these two. They concluded that patients malignancy lesions on the eyelid have a higher chance of having madarosis than a patient with a benign lesion. They stated that despite the fact that it is significant, the absence of madarosis does not mean the lesion cannot be malignant. [11]

In many leprosy cases, madarosis is a symptom or a quality after diagnosis. However, in India, leprosy is common and researchers report a case of madarosis before diagnosis of leprosy with no skin lesions, only madarosis. This allowed for quicker treatment. [12]

The main reason many people have madarosis is due to the chemotherapy drugs. There was a clinical trial in 2011 that tested an eyelash gel called bimatoprost. This gel enhanced the eyelashes in quantity and thickness. They tested this on 20 breast cancer patients who were undergoing chemotherapy. Results seemed positive, in that the group of people who used the gel had growth of eyelashes after the chemotherapy drugs. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hair loss</span> Loss of hair from the head or body

Hair loss, also known as alopecia or baldness, refers to a loss of hair from part of the head or body. Typically at least the head is involved. The severity of hair loss can vary from a small area to the entire body. Inflammation or scarring is not usually present. Hair loss in some people causes psychological distress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blepharitis</span> Inflammation of the eyelid

Blepharitis, sometimes known as granulated eyelids, is one of the most common ocular conditions characterized by inflammation, scaling, reddening, and crusting of the eyelid. This condition may also cause swelling, burning, itching, or a grainy sensation when introducing foreign objects or substances to the eye. Although blepharitis by itself is not sight-threatening, it can lead to permanent alterations of the eyelid margin. The primary cause is bacteria and inflammation from congested meibomian oil glands at the base of each eyelash. Other conditions may give rise to blepharitis, whether they be infectious or noninfectious, including, but not limited to, bacterial infections or allergies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alopecia universalis</span> Medical condition

Alopecia universalis(AU), also known as alopecia areata universalis, is a medical condition involving the loss of all body hair, including eyebrows, eyelashes, chest hair, armpit hair, and pubic hair. It is the most severe form of alopecia areata (AA). People with the condition are usually healthy and have no other symptoms and a normal life expectancy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vellus hair</span> Type of hair that is short, thin, slight-colored, and barely noticeable

Vellus hair is short, thin, light-colored, and barely noticeable hair that develops on most of a human's body during childhood. Exceptions include the lips, the back of the ear, the palm of the hand, the sole of the foot, some external genital areas, the navel, and scar tissue. The density of hair – the number of hair follicles per area of skin – varies from person to person. Each strand of vellus hair is usually less than 2 mm long and the follicle is not connected to a sebaceous gland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamilton–Norwood scale</span> Scale used to classify male pattern baldness

The Hamilton–Norwood scale is used to classify the stages of male pattern baldness. It is one of the widely accepted and reproducible classification system for the male pattern hair loss. The stages are described with a number from 1 to 7 with a type A variant for the cases with anterior involvement.

The management of hair loss, includes prevention and treatment of alopecia, baldness, and hair thinning, and regrowth of hair.

Trichology is the study of the hair and scalp. The term derives from Ancient Greek θρίξ (thríx), "hair" and -λογία -logia. In most jurisdictions the title of a trichologist, not the field of trichology, is considered a para-medical discipline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hair transplantation</span> Surgical operation to relocate hair follicles

Hair transplantation is a surgical technique that removes hair follicles from one part of the body, called the 'donor site', to a bald or balding part of the body known as the 'recipient site'. The technique is primarily used to treat male pattern baldness. In this minimally invasive procedure, grafts containing hair follicles that are genetically resistant to balding are transplanted to the bald scalp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poliosis</span> Medical condition

Poliosis circumscripta, commonly referred to as a "white forelock", is a condition characterized by localized patches of white hair due to a reduction or absence of melanin in hair follicles. Although traditionally associated with the scalp, poliosis can affect any hairy area on the body, including eyebrows, eyelashes, and beards. Microscopically, poliosis is marked by the lack of melanin or melanocytes in the hair bulbs, though epidermal melanocytes typically remain unaffected unless associated with conditions like vitiligo.

The medical condition pseudopelade of Brocq is a flesh- to pink-colored, irregularly shaped alopecia that may begin in a moth-eaten pattern with eventual coalescence into larger patches of alopecia.

Pressure alopecia, also known as postoperative alopecia, and pressure-induced alopecia, occurs in adults after prolonged pressure on the scalp during general anesthesia, with the head fixed in one position, and may also occur in chronically ill persons after prolonged bed rest in one position that causes persistent pressure on one part of the scalp, all likely due to pressure-induced ischemia.

Keratosis pilaris atropicans is a group of idiopathic genodermatoses that consists of three unique clinical entities: atrophoderma vermiculatum, keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans, and keratosis pilaris atrophicans faciei.

Hair casts, also known as pseudonits, represent remnants of the inner root sheath, and often occur in great numbers and may mimic nits in the scalp.

Trichostasis spinulosa is a common but rarely diagnosed disorder of the hair follicles that clinically gives the impression of blackheads, but the follicles are filled with funnel-shaped, horny plugs that are bundles of vellus hairs.

Non scarring hair loss, also known as noncicatricial alopecia is the loss of hair without any scarring being present. There is typically little inflammation and irritation, but hair loss is significant. This is in contrast to scarring hair loss during which hair follicles are replaced with scar tissue as a result of inflammation. Hair loss may be spread throughout the scalp (diffuse) or at certain spots (focal). The loss may be sudden or gradual with accompanying stress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triangular alopecia</span> Medical condition

Triangular alopecia is hair loss that may be congenital but usually appears in childhood as a focal patch of loss that may be complete or leaving fine vellus hairs behind. Affected individuals are typically entirely healthy. Hair restoration surgery using follicular unit transplantation has been a successful treatment modality for TTA

Graham-Little syndrome or Graham-Little–Piccardi–Lassueur syndrome is a cutaneous condition characterized by lichen planus-like skin lesions. It is named after Ernest Graham-Little.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trichomegaly</span> Medical condition

Trichomegaly is a condition in which the eyelashes are abnormally long, objectively defined as 12mm or greater in the central area and 8mm in the peripheral. The term was first used by H. Gray in 1944 in a publication in the Stanford Medical Bulletin, though he was only the third person to characterize the disorder; the first two reports were published in German in 1926 and 1931 by Reiter and Bab, respectively. Gray suggested the use of the term "movie lashes" to describe this condition, for long lashes were at the time being portrayed in film as a desirable characteristic in women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collagen induction therapy</span> Cosmetic procedure

Collagen induction therapy (CIT), also known as microneedling, dermarolling, or skin needling, is a cosmetic procedure that involves repeatedly puncturing the skin with tiny, sterile needles. CIT should be separated from other contexts in which microneedling devices are used on the skin.

Frictional alopecia is the loss of hair that is caused by rubbing of the hair, follicles, or skin around the follicle. The most typical example of this is the loss of ankle hair among people who wear socks constantly for years. The hair may not grow back even years after the source of friction has ended.

References

  1. ↑ "Bioline International Official Site (site up-dated regularly)". www.bioline.org.br. Retrieved 2015-11-04.
  2. ↑ Krishnan, Ajay; Kar, Sumit (2012-01-01). "Bilateral Madarosis as the Solitary Presenting Feature of Multibacillary Leprosy". International Journal of Trichology. 4 (3): 179–180. doi: 10.4103/0974-7753.100092 . ISSN   0974-7753. PMC   3500062 . PMID   23180932.
  3. ↑ Kumar, Annapurna; Karthikeyan, Kaliaperumal (2012-01-01). "Madarosis: A Marker of Many Maladies". International Journal of Trichology. 4 (1): 3–18. doi: 10.4103/0974-7753.96079 . ISSN   0974-7753. PMC   3358936 . PMID   22628984.
  4. ↑ Parrino, D.; Di Bella, S. (2016). "Hertoghe sign: a hallmark of lepromatous leprosy". QJM. 109 (7): 497. doi: 10.1093/qjmed/hcw046 . ISSN   1460-2725.
  5. ↑ Feldman, Mark; Friedman, Lawrence S.; Brandt, Lawrence J. (2015-01-01). Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease E-Book: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN   9781455749898.
  6. ↑ Khong, J. J.; Casson, R. J.; Huilgol, S. C.; Selva, D. (2006-11-01). "Madarosis". Survey of Ophthalmology. 51 (6): 550–560. doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2006.08.004. PMID   17134645.
  7. ↑ Faheem, Mahmood Syed. "Madarosis - Loss of eyelashes - Loss of eyebrows | the dynamic natural skin care". Madarosis - Loss of eyelashes - Loss of eyebrows | the dynamic natural skin care. Retrieved 2015-12-10.
  8. ↑ Faheem, Mahmood Syed. "Madarosis - Loss of eyelashes - Loss of eyebrows | the dynamic natural skin care". Madarosis - Loss of eyelashes - Loss of eyebrows | the dynamic natural skin care. Retrieved 2015-12-10.
  9. ↑ "Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) Hair Transplant | Bosley". www.bosley.com. Retrieved 2015-11-04. "Eyebrow Transplant Through Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) | Medispa". www.medispaindia.in. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  10. ↑ Kumar, Annapurna; Karthikeyan, Kaliaperumal (2012-01-01). "Madarosis: A Marker of Many Maladies". International Journal of Trichology. 4 (1): 3–18. doi: 10.4103/0974-7753.96079 . ISSN   0974-7753. PMC   3358936 . PMID   22628984.
  11. ↑ Groehler, Jennifer M.; Rose, John G. (2012-03-01). "Madarosis as an indicator for malignancy in eyelid margin lesions". Optometry and Vision Science. 89 (3): 350–352. doi:10.1097/OPX.0b013e31824352b6. ISSN   1538-9235. PMID   22246332. S2CID   52856613.
  12. ↑ Krishnan, Ajay; Kar, Sumit (2012-01-01). "Bilateral Madarosis as the Solitary Presenting Feature of Multibacillary Leprosy". International Journal of Trichology. 4 (3): 179–180. doi: 10.4103/0974-7753.100092 . ISSN   0974-7753. PMC   3500062 . PMID   23180932.
  13. ↑ Morris, Carrie L; Stinnett, SS; Woodward, JA (2011-01-01). "The Role of Bimatoprost Eyelash Gel in Chemotherapy-induced Madarosis: An Analysis of Efficacy and Safety". International Journal of Trichology. 3 (2): 84–91. doi: 10.4103/0974-7753.90809 . ISSN   0974-7753. PMC   3250027 . PMID   22223967.
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