Eyelash length for the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis and ichthyosis vulgaris in children—a case control study

Abstract

Thus, long eyelashes may act as surrogate marker of severe AD and serve as a cutaneous marker of IV patients. What is Known: • Among acquired causes, allergic diseases and atopic dermatitis have been found to be associated with eyelash trichomegaly especially in children. What is New: • The severity of atopic dermatitis, i.e., SCORAD of > 50, hyperlinearity of palms and soles, and high IgE levels significantly correlate with the long eyelashes; thus, long eyelashes may act as surrogate marker of severe atopic dermatitis. • It may also serve as a cutaneous marker of ichthyosis vulgaris especially in male patients and patients with palmoplantar hyperlinearity.

Eyelash trichomegaly: a systematic review of acquired and congenital aetiologies of lengthened lashes

“…The literature revealed a significant correlation between eyelash trichomegaly and atopic dermatitis 101,102 . Atopy may lead to the secretion of prostaglandins from degranulated mast cells, which may transform follicles from a resting to a growth phase 101,102 .…”

“…The literature revealed a significant correlation between eyelash trichomegaly and atopic dermatitis 101,102 . Atopy may lead to the secretion of prostaglandins from degranulated mast cells, which may transform follicles from a resting to a growth phase 101,102 . In one case–control study comparing eyelash length in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and ichthyosis vulgaris (IV), the children with AD and those with IV had significantly longer eyelashes than controls 101 .…”

“…Atopy may lead to the secretion of prostaglandins from degranulated mast cells, which may transform follicles from a resting to a growth phase 101,102 . In one case–control study comparing eyelash length in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and ichthyosis vulgaris (IV), the children with AD and those with IV had significantly longer eyelashes than controls 101 . Interestingly, AD eyelash length showed positive correlation with disease severity.…”

The effect of eyelash length on attractiveness: A previously uninvestigated indicator of beauty.

“…However, the perceived length of eyelashes needs to be balanced against the fact that long eyelashes can also be indicators of different congenital and noncongenital diseases (for a review, see Paus et al, 2016). For example, children and adolescents with allergic or immunodeficiency diseases have longer eyelashes than normal cohorts, potentially as a response to these diseases (Graham & Sires, 1997; Patrizi et al, 1998; Sharma et al, 2002; Singh & Pawar, 2018). Such lengthening of eyelashes is suggested to be due to mast cells’ release of histamine, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes in response to allergies (Church & McGill, 2002; Singh & Pawar, 2018), remodeling hair follicle tissue (Paus et al, 1998).…”

“…For example, children and adolescents with allergic or immunodeficiency diseases have longer eyelashes than normal cohorts, potentially as a response to these diseases (Graham & Sires, 1997; Patrizi et al, 1998; Sharma et al, 2002; Singh & Pawar, 2018). Such lengthening of eyelashes is suggested to be due to mast cells’ release of histamine, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes in response to allergies (Church & McGill, 2002; Singh & Pawar, 2018), remodeling hair follicle tissue (Paus et al, 1998). On the other hand, the loss of eyelashes, or when they are very short, may signal disorders of a dermatological or nutritional nature or, alternatively, endocrine or systemic diseases (Khong et al, 2006; Kumar & Karthikeyan, 2012).…”