Anyone developed an eyelash extension allergy randomly?

[Anastasia2]

I've been getting eyelash extensions for years, from my 20s and now in my 30s so well over a decade. They make me feel much more confident and I never have to wear make up when I have them as I feel I don't need to.
Recently, everytime I've had them done I've been waking up with crusty eyelids, puffy eyes and them.sticking together..they can also be quite itchy..this goes on for 2-3 days then OK although eyelids are quite dry..I've been grin and bearing it but the last lot I had on have really irritated them. I'm clinging on to any hope that it may randomly go away?

Has anyone had experience of this and what did you do? I'm guessing the answer will be give up the extensions but I'm dreading it..I feel so self conscious without them.

Ive tried antihistamines and hydrocortisone cream..doesn't make a difference at all!! I feel like my eyes are so dry and puffy and I'm worried it's made permanent damage 😪

Not me but a friend of mine suddenly developed an allergy to the glue after having them constantly for years. Weird but possible.

Did she give them up completely? I'm hoping to take a long break then see how are they are.

You can develop an allergy to a lot of beauty products or treatments at any time, unfortunately

Yes me. 18 months no issues then suddenly my eyelids puffed up and got itchy red eyes. Took them off and waited a year, tried again but reaction was even worse. You can’t go back I’m afraid. Don’t take risks with your eyes - you can develop blepharitis or MGD if you carry on. I know it absolutely sucks but your eyes are too precious to risk. Sorry.

Have you tried using eyelash cleaning foam? I found it helps reduce irritation.

Yep same with a friend of mine too. She never tried again, it's not worth the risk.

Hi OP.... as per a previous post, you might find you've become sensitive to an ingredient in the glue rather than the lashes themselves.

If you can get the full ingredient list for the glue that's used on you, then you might be able to track down the culprit (and find a different glue).

Exactly the same thing happened to me after having eyelash extensions for years with no issues. Out of the blue, I started getting the same symptoms you describe and it got worse and lasted longer each time I had my lashes topped up. I tried antihistamines and hydrocortisone cream too and it made no difference. I had to stop having my lovely lashes and it took ages to get used to not having them! Unfortunately there's no way back though, once your immune system has identified an allergen it will react every time it encounters it, and each reaction can be more severe than the last.

Just to mention I tried a different glue (sensitive version) and still had the same reaction. Reactions tend to get worse at each exposure so be careful

Has your lash tech changed their glue? I happily had mine done for ages then started getting reactions and it was down to a change of the glue she was using.

Yes happened to me too. I did the same, had a break and tried again but the reaction just got worse. I've had to stop having them altogether. I can gave the occasional lash lift but I'm very cautious and only do it for special occasions. I absolutely get it, it was heartbreaking for me.

Yes it's possible, it's why you should do an allergy patch test every time you use things like eyelash glue or hair dye.
If you're having them done professionally are they performing a patch test before each appointment?

Why don’t you find out the name of the glue and try and get a patch test at a few other technicians? Get them to put on a good amount, not just a tiny dot.

I really sympathise, they make such a difference on me I feel drab without them.

Happened to me. Had to stop unfortunately. I had patch tests every single time and never reacted but the skin on your eyelids is much thinner and way more sensitive than behind your ear or wrist for example so you may not react to a patch test but still react to the lashes. I am gutted. But it’s not worth the risk.

Not Lashes, but post 40 I react to any dye- swollen after last eyebrow tint and now react to hair dye.

Yup, this. Unfortunately not a risk I'd be willing to take. I've read the same can happen with lots of beauty products including gel nails - think there was a BBC article about it last year?