Although false eyelashes and lash lifts are esthetically appealing to many people, it is worth being aware of their potential health risks to prevent eye diseases. Some patients may develop acute symptoms within minutes or hours of first application. “If you experience eyelid swelling, redness, pain, tearing, itching, sensitivity to light, or difficulty opening your eyes, the false eyelashes and the glue should be removed as soon as possible, a cooling compress should be applied to the eye and a doctor should be consulted,” advises Dr. Amarilla Barcsay-Veres. The assistant professor at the Department of Ophthalmology adds: An important part of the eye examination is to determine whether foreign bodies or glue residues have gotten onto the surface of the eye or under the eyelid. This can cause corneal inflammation or, in worse cases, corneal ulceration, which can lead to permanent vision loss.
Allergic reactions may increase over time with the reapplication of false eyelashes.
Anyone who has experienced a sensitive reaction to the glue or the vapor emitted from it may develop more severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coughing, or a tight chest.
In this case, an ambulance should be called, the assistant professor stresses. She points out that patients with atopy – i.e. those who produce an exaggerated response to normal environmental influences – are more often affected. Patients with atopy, eczema, allergic rhinitis, or asthma are more likely to be sensitive to the substances in glue. For them, increased caution is recommended.
Another more common condition is inflammation along the edges of the eyelids (blepharitis). This chronic, slow-onset disease is usually associated with bacterial overgrowth on the surface of the skin. It can often develop from insufficient hygiene when wearing false eyelashes. It is associated with redness and inflammation along the edges of the eyelids and flaking of the skin. The condition starts with the emergence of crusty dandruff-like flakes on the eyelashes. In the case of bacterial superinfection, a yellowish discharge appears in the corner of the eye. Inflammation can also damage the natural eyelashes, causing them to thin and even fall out.
After removing false lashes, patients find that they have even fewer eyelashes than before. – Dr. Amarilla Barcsay-Veres
Blepharitis results in instability of the fluid layer on the anterior surface of the eyeball, also known as the tear film. This can cause a burning sensation, increased tearing, and light sensitivity. In such cases, false eyelashes should be removed as quickly as possible to avoid further inflammation, and a doctor should be consulted. Full recovery can take weeks, and in case of superinfection, the use of antibiotic eye drops and tea tree oil eyelid wipes is recommended. The suggestion for eyelid margin inflammation is eyelid hygiene treatment, which can significantly reduce unpleasant symptoms.
The combined use of contact lenses and false eyelashes also increases the risk of infection. However, severe problems can be prevented by maintaining good hygiene and keeping the eyelid margins and the lenses clean. You should also take extra care never to wear daytime contact lenses while sleeping, the assistant professor points out.
Eszter Csatári-Földváry
Translation: Judit Szabados-Dőtsch
Photo by Boglárka Zellei – Semmelweis University; illustration: iStock
