If you wear fake eyelashes then it's time you take care, as doctors warn of creepy danger
Are you a fan of eyelash extensions? Adding wings to your lashes does give them a fluttering effect with smudge-free potential that mascara cannot lend. But before you get set to buy yourself a pair of fake eyelashes and make it a part of your daily beauty regime, here's a red flag.
It is important to take note of the hygiene risks involved as several optometrists have warned about an increase in lash lice, known by its medical term, Demodex. Those who regularly use eyelash extensions are majorly at risk as it affects them the most. If you don't clean it often, it can lead to a buildup of bacteria, as reported by ABC7. In case you haven't disinfected it or brushed off the dirt for a long time, it's time to clean it up as lice can grow on the oily hair follicle and can be transferred from person to person, much like hair lice.
Wondering how to find out if lice have already started to grow on your eyelashes? Itchiness, redness, and inflammation are some common symptoms you need to stay wary of.
A woman named Ashley was the first one to share her Demodex story last year. In an interview with WFTV9, she warned others who opt for eyelash extensions without a second thought.
It all started when she woke up with swollen, irritated eyes one morning and realized the cause was her fake eyelashes. It was only when she examined her lashes under the microscope with the help of Dr. Keshini Parbhu of the Orlando Eye Institute’s Dry Eye Help Center did she see the lice living on the oils of the lashes.
Shedding light on a similar incident, Natasha Pieper shared her experience to ABC13 and said, "The first time I didn't have a reaction, but the more I did it, the more intense the reaction was. My eyes were swollen up to my eyebrows, then my eyes were completely bloodshot and totally red, very itchy, lots of burning, very swollen. I think the reaction was to the glue."
Dr. Sairah Malik told ABC7 how the lice usually build upon fake eyelashes. "Generally the idea when you have eyelash extensions is that people are afraid to kind of touch them or wash them because they’re afraid the eyelash will fall out," she said, adding, "We recommend tea tree base cleanser. Any cleanser that has a diluted form of tea tree, and it is a good idea to use on a daily basis."
Lice may develop anywhere on the body but they tend to mostly be found in eyelashes and eyebrows, with overpopulation leading to infection.