Why Does My Child Pull Out Their Eyelashes? Could It Be a Sensory Need?

"My daughter keeps pulling out her eyelashes when she's reading or falling asleep. She says she doesn't even realise she's doing it."

This is a message I receive more often than you may think.

If that sounds familiar, you're definitely not alone.

Many children, teens and adults pull at their eyelashes, eyebrows or hair without consciously deciding to do it. Often it happens while concentrating, watching TV, reading, feeling tired or winding down before sleep.

Sometimes this behaviour falls under something called trichotillomania, which is a recognised body-focused repetitive behaviour (BFRB). While the name can sound intimidating, many people describe it simply as an automatic habit that can feel difficult to stop.

As a sensory business owner, I often find it helpful to ask a slightly different question:

**What sensory need is the behaviour meeting?**

Because once we understand that, we can often start looking for safer alternatives.

Why does my child WANT to pull out their eyelashes

This can vary hugely from person to person.

For some people, the reward is:

* Finding the "right" eyelash

* The sensation of pulling it out

* Looking at it afterwards

* Rolling it between their fingers

* Rubbing it against their lips

* Stroking it across their face

* The tiny "poke" sensation on the skin

For others, it may be several of these things combined.

The tricky part is that many people don't actually know which part they enjoy most because the behaviour has become automatic over time.

Understanding this can be the first step towards finding a sensory replacement that actually works.

Why Some Fidget Toys Don't Help

Parents often tell me they've tried lots of fidget toys but their child still goes back to pulling eyelashes.

Sometimes that's because the replacement doesn't match the sensory experience closely enough.

If somebody enjoys the feeling of finding, pulling and examining a tiny eyelash, a simple stress ball may not provide the same type of sensory feedback.

This doesn't mean the fidget is bad. It just means it may not be meeting the same sensory need.

A Sensory Alternative That Mimics More of the Experience

One product I often suggest trying is a tinsel bracelet.

What I like about this option is that it doesn't just keep hands busy.

It can mimic several parts of the eyelash-pulling process:

* Finding a tiny strand

* Pulling the strand out

* Manipulating it between the fingers

* Examining it

* Rubbing the soft fibres against the lips, face or skin

For some people, that combination feels much closer to the original sensory experience than a traditional fidget toy.

The bracelet can be worn on the wrist or attached to a hair bobble.

Interestingly, some people find the hair-bobble option particularly useful because if their hand automatically moves towards their face, it may encounter the sensory fibres first.

Tinsel Band Hair Eye Lash Pulling Alternative

£6.50

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Finding the Right Sensory Substitute

There isn't one perfect sensory tool for everybody.

The most successful sensory replacement is usually the one that matches the specific part of the behaviour that the person finds rewarding.

That's why understanding whether somebody enjoys:

* The search

* The pull

* The texture

* The rubbing

* The pressure

can be so valuable.

Sometimes it takes a little experimentation, but when you find the right sensory match, the difference can be remarkable.

At Sensory Stim Shop, we're always happy to chat through different sensory needs and suggest products that may be worth trying. Sensory Stim Shop doesn't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Every person is different, and sometimes the best ideas come from simply understanding what sensation the brain is looking for in the first place.