Why is My Eyebrow Twitching?

Twitching happens when the eyebrow muscle contracts involuntarily. It often occurs with spasms in other facial muscles around your eye and eyelid.

Although it can be aggravating, eyebrow twitching isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. Read on to learn what causes eyebrow twitching, how to stop it, and when to see a doctor.

What Causes Eyebrow Twitching?

Stress, fatigue, and too much caffeine are common culprits behind eyebrow twitching. Most of the time, you can alleviate twitching by getting proper rest and reducing your caffeine intake. 

However, chronic eyebrow spasms can occur due to health conditions or nervous disorders. Here are a few reasons for why your eyebrows are twitching:

• Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Excessive substance use can lead to eyebrow twitching alongside other health complications.
• Eye strain. Too much close work or exposure to digital screens can strain your eyes, which can sometimes cause eyebrow twitching.
• Nutritional deficiencies.  A lack of potassium and magnesium can lead to muscle spasms, try eating more seeds, nuts, bananas, blackberries, and dark, leafy greens.
• Allergies. Allergies trigger the release of histamine, which can cause eye irritation. Rubbing irritated eyes can also cause eyebrow twitching twitching.
• Dystonia. A neurological disorder that causes involuntary movement and muscle spasms. It can affect various body parts, including the eyes and eyebrows.
• Hemifacial spasm. A rare condition that affects about 1 in 10,000 people. It’s an involuntary facial spasm caused by an irritation of the facial nerve.
• Blepharospasm. Benign essential blepharospasm is a type of dystonia that causes involuntary muscle contractions, blinking, winking, and squinting.
• Bell’s palsy. Bell’s palsy causes temporary weakness or paralysis of your facial muscles. Eyebrow twitching can be a side effect.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS). Occurs when immune cells attack your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). It can lead to muscle twitching.
• Tourette syndrome. A neurological disorder that causes involuntary movements and noises. This can also include eye twitching.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Eyebrow muscle twitches should subside in a few days to a few weeks. Call your doctor if the twitching persists for longer or worsens over time. 

If you’re experiencing other concerning issues like drooping facial muscles and slurred speech, call your doctor immediately. Secondary dystonia can be a sign of a stroke, brain injury, Parkinson's disease, brain inflammation, alcoholic ketoacidosis, or an aneurysm

Other symptoms to look out for include twitching around other body parts, swollen or irritated eyes, and twitching that forces the eyelids to close. Your doctor can help you identify the cause of the twitch and provide the appropriate treatment measures.

How to Stop Eyebrow Twitching

Aside from reducing your caffeine intake and getting proper sleep, there are many things you can do to stop or prevent eyebrow twitching. If you regularly drink, smoke, or do drugs, try avoiding them. 

If the twitching is caused by eye irritation, try using eye drops. Meanwhile, if it’s happening because of allergies, try taking allergy medication to alleviate your symptoms.

If nutritional deficiencies cause it, try eating healthier, especially foods rich in magnesium and potassium. Lastly, if the twitching is caused by prolonged screen time, take frequent breaks from digital devices to reduce eye strain.