We all get an itch every now and then. Sometimes it’s within reach. Other times, it’s at that tricky spot in the middle of your back, and you have to back up to a wall and scratch like a bear against a tree. But, have you ever wondered why a particular body part may be itchy? What are the root causes of your itch? Take itchy eyebrows, for example. We’ve all had itchy eyebrows, but what actually caused them to itch? In this article, we’ll look at itchy eyebrows causes and itchy eyebrows treatment. Hopefully, by the end of this, you’ll know why your eyebrows may be itchy, and you may be able to stop the itch anytime it appears.
What Are the Causes of Itchy Eyebrows?
The first step in getting rid of itchy eyebrows is figuring out why your eyebrows are itchy in the first place. There are several causes behind itchy eyebrows, and they may include:
1. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an auto-immune disease that can produce itchy, red, and scaly patches of skin all over your body. There may be a few spots here and there, or you could have very large patches that cover sizeable segments of the body. Psoriasis can occur on the skin around and below the eyebrows.
2. Eyebrow Mites
It may be hard to believe, but your eyebrows can acquire mites like lice and scabies. These mites may cause your eyebrows to itch due to allergic reactions to the bites.
3. Eyebrow Treatments
The skin in and around your eyebrows could have a bad reaction to cosmetic eyebrow treatments like dyeing, waxing, threading, and plucking.
4. Dryness
The skin in the eyebrow area may just be overly dry, causing the skin to be dry and itchy.
5. Shingles
Shingles are the result of a viral infection caused by herpes zoster. It can cause a painful, itchy rash that may appear anywhere on the body, including the eyebrow area.
6. Ingrown Hairs
Your eyebrow hairs, like any hair on the body, can become ingrown. This could lead to a bump that is itchy and often red.
7. Seborrheic Dermatitis
This is a skin condition that is very similar to scalp dandruff. Seborrheic dermatitis can cause dry, itchy skin around the eyebrows.
8. Fungal Infection
Fungal infections like ringworm can also cause itchy eyebrows.
There may be other causes for your itchy eyebrows, but those listed above are the most common. Now that you’ve got some ideas about why your eyebrows are itchy, it’s time to look at what exactly constitutes itchy eyebrows.
Symptoms of Itchy Eyebrows
What are itchy eyebrows symptoms? There’s itching, but that’s fairly obvious. The other symptoms can include:
- Stinging
- Redness
- Bumps
- Burning
- Pain
- Flaking skin
Keep in mind that this does not necessarily include symptoms that may come with a medical condition like shingles, or any other side effects linked to the causes listed above. The important symptom to remember is the itching, and what the skin is like around the itching. Is it bumpy? Is it red? Is it sore? These are symptoms that can help properly define for you, and possibly your doctor, what is causing your itchy eyebrows and how you will go on to treat them.
Itchy Eyebrow Treatments
Treatments for itchy eyebrows may vary depending on what the actual cause of the itchy eyebrow is. That being said, we’ve got some specific itchy eyebrow treatments for certain causes as well as a few general treatments that may help.
1. Beauty Treatments
Beauty treatment itchiness can be tricky, as the chemical or physical treatment causing the itch can also make the skin extra sensitive to creams you might use to stop the itch. Your best bet in this case might be a cold compress. The cold compress may take some of the itch away and calm down the aggravated skin.
2. Mites
Mites and lice have a relatively easy treatment. For the most part, you will need to see a doctor who can prescribe a lotion or shampoo to rid you of the infestation. Try not mix any of the chemical treatments, as mixing may make your skin more sensitive and itchier.
3. Psoriasis
In this case, a doctor will be needed. The doctor may prescribe a topical steroid to help the skin repair itself. After a day or two, you should find the itch beginning to subside. The one thing you will have to watch out for is getting the topical steroid into your eyes. If you’re using too much, your body oils or sweat may cause it to drip into your eyes.
4. Seborrheic Dermatitis
A doctor may prescribe a topical ointment or a medicated shampoo to deal with your seborrheic dermatitis. Depending on how bad it is, the doctor may prescribe either one treatments or two to be used simultaneously.
No More Itchy Eyebrows!
We don’t really think about itchy eyebrows. For the most part, when they itch, you scratch and they eventually go away. For some people, itchy eyebrows are a superstitious thing that may signal good luck or that someone is talking about them. But if the itchiness persists, you now know what might be causing the itchiness, the various symptoms that may come with a serious bout of itchy eyebrows, and what kind of treatment options may be available to you.
Related Article:
Rash around the Eyes: Causes and Natural Treatments
Sources:
Dr. Chris, “Itchy Eyebrows – Causes of Itching of the Hair Above the Eyes,” Health Hype, http://www.healthhype.com/itchy-eyebrows-causes-of-itching-of-the-hair-above-the-eyes.html, last accessed April 25, 2017.
Marcin, A., “What Causes Itchy Eyebrows?” Healthline, June 23, 2016, http://www.healthline.com/health/itchy-eyebrows#1, last accessed April 25, 2017.
Charlene, “Itchy Eyebrows Meaning, Superstitions and Cause of Dry, Flaky, Red Itchy Eyebrows,” Health Know Facts, http://health.knowfacts.org/eyebrow/itchy-eyebrows-meaning-superstitions-and-cause-of-dry-flaky-red-itchy-eyebrows/, last accessed April 25, 2017.