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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Child With ADHD Has Started Pulling Eyelashes. What Could Be Causing This?

my 11 year old son has adhd , now he has begun pulling out his eyelashes. he shuts down at times and is unable to answer why he pulls them out. he says there is no problems at school or at our home but he still continues to pull them out. not sure if this can damage the eyes overtime. not sure if this is like a tick from the adhd or something else.?
Fri, 15 Feb 2013
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Pediatrician,  's  Response
Hi,
Thank you for your query,
Pulling eyelashes is called Trichotillomania.
It is a habit disorder.
Children with repetitive hair pulling have an increasing sense of tension immediately before pulling or when resisting the behavior, followed by pleasure or relief when pulling out the hair.
Usually it subsides spontaneously.
If it persists more than 6 months it requires behavioral treatment.
Medication like fluoxetine will be useful.
So consult your Pediatrician or Child psychiatrist for further evaluation and management.
Hope I have answered your query.
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Child With ADHD Has Started Pulling Eyelashes. What Could Be Causing This?

Hi, Thank you for your query, Pulling eyelashes is called Trichotillomania. It is a habit disorder. Children with repetitive hair pulling have an increasing sense of tension immediately before pulling or when resisting the behavior, followed by pleasure or relief when pulling out the hair. Usually it subsides spontaneously. If it persists more than 6 months it requires behavioral treatment. Medication like fluoxetine will be useful. So consult your Pediatrician or Child psychiatrist for further evaluation and management. Hope I have answered your query.