Posters

Case report of trichotillomania of eyelashes

Poster Details

First Author: D.Bakas GREECE

Co Author(s):    P. Karamanos   A. Mokka   V. Kapourani              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The presentation of a rare and interesting case of trichotillomania of the eyelashes.

Setting:

General Hospital of Kastoria.

Methods:

An adolescent boy 13 years old came to the Ophthalmological Department of our Hospital accompanied by his parents because of eyelid swelling. Edema and redness of the eyelids near the edge of the lid was observed in the slit lamp examination. It was observed that many lashes were completely missing, while most were cut and uneven. The rest of the  ophthalmological examination was normal.

Results:

Treatment with tobramycin / dexamethasone ointment was given and the edema resolved within three days. Following a discussion with the patient, it was found that the loss of eyelashes was due to deliberate attempts at removing by hand. The diagnosis of trichotillomania was established and he was referred for psychological assessment.

Conclusions:

Trichotillomania is the chronic habit of constant hair pulling leading to alopecia. It can rarely be related to hairs in other parts of the body as well as eyelashes. The prevalence of the disease is estimated at 0.5-3.5% and the mean age is between 10-13 years, with the prevalence of women at 2.5: 1. Three age categories can be distinguished: Infant - child (<5 years old) with excellent prognosis, child - adolescent with cautious prognosis and adult with poor prognosis. Treatment is mainly psychological (behavioral therapy), while in resistant cases drugs can be given (e.g. SSRIs, amitriptyline, haloperidol).

Financial Disclosure:

None