What should I do about ingrown lower eyelashes?

Under normal circumstances, ingrown lower eyelashes may be caused by incomplete eyelid development in infants and young children, eyelid laxity in the elderly, eyelid inflammation, blepharitis, entropion, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition under a doctor's guidance through daily care, medication, or surgical treatment. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Incomplete eyelid development in infants and young children: The eyelid structure in infants is not yet fully matured, and the soft eyelid margin may cause eyelashes to grow inward toward the eyeball. This condition usually improves gradually with growth. Parents can gently wipe the eyes daily with a warm towel, prevent the child from rubbing their eyes, and schedule regular follow-up visits to monitor eyelid development, without excessive intervention.

2. Eyelid laxity in the elderly: With aging, the elasticity of eyelid skin decreases and muscle tone weakens, causing eyelid drooping that pulls the eyelashes to grow inward. Daily warm compresses on the eyelids for 10 minutes may help. If trichiasis (inward-growing lashes) is significant, procedures such as eyelid margin shortening surgery can tighten the eyelid skin and correct the direction of eyelash growth.

3. Eyelid inflammation: Allergies or infections can trigger eyelid inflammation, which disrupts normal eyelash growth. Follow your doctor’s instructions to use medications such as tobramycin-dexamethasone eye drops, sodium cromoglicate eye drops, or olopatadine hydrochloride eye drops. Avoid known allergens and maintain good eye hygiene.

4. Blepharitis: Bacterial infection or abnormal sebum secretion at the eyelid margin causes inflammation, which over time may lead to misdirected or ingrown eyelashes. Patients should apply antibiotic eye ointments such as erythromycin, ofloxacin, or tetracycline as directed by a physician, and clean eyelid secretions daily using sterile cotton swabs moistened with saline solution.

5. Entropion: Abnormal eyelid structure causes the eyelid margin to roll inward, resulting in ingrown eyelashes, often accompanied by eye pain and tearing. Mild cases may be managed medically to control infection, while severe cases require entropion corrective surgery to reposition eyelid muscles and skin, restoring normal eyelid shape and proper eyelash orientation.

Maintain good eye hygiene in daily life—avoid rubbing the eyes with hands and minimize the use of eye cosmetics. When outdoors, wear protective eyewear or windproof glasses to shield the eyes from dust and foreign particles, supporting healthy recovery of the eyes.