Demodex Mite In Humans: Symptoms, Treatment And Causes Of Demodicosis

2023 Author: Riley Dean | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 09:15

Demodecosis in humans is a dermatological skin disease of a chronic nature. The causative agent is a small demodex mite. The natural microflora of human skin consists of bacteria and fungi, but they are dangerous only in certain cases.

Content

• 1 Description of the disease
• 2 Reasons for the development of inflammation
• 3 Signs of illness
• 4 Diagnostic measures
• 5 Therapeutic actions
• 6 Prevention of invasion

Description of the disease

One of the simplest microorganisms that lives on the surface of human skin is the demodex subcutaneous mite. But only in rare cases does a tick cause skin diseases.

The disease of demodicosis leads to the fact that the sebaceous ducts are affected. It is there that ticks settle, the size of which does not reach 1 millimeter. The foci of inflammation are most often localized on the face, less often you can find symptoms of demodicosis on the body (on the chest or upper back).

The causative agent of demodicosis belongs to the genus Demodex, which combines many types of ticks. Its two main types include:

1. Demodex brevis. The mite of this species living under the skin lives and reproduces in the ducts of the sebaceous glands. It has a short body of about 0.150 mm.
2. The human Demodex folliculorum mite is localized in hair follicles, has a long, elongated body up to 0.450 mm.

How long does a subcutaneous tick live? The life cycle of a demodex tick is about two to three weeks, after which the individual dies, and the decay products begin to poison the body. It feeds on the secretion of the sebaceous glands or dead skin cells. Absorbs all nutrients from the hair roots.

The air temperature of about 30 degrees has a beneficial effect on the vital activity of the tick, therefore the exacerbation of the disease occurs in spring and summer. The tick cannot live outside the human body.

The causes of inflammation

With normal immunity, the body controls the reproduction of ticks and prevents the development of diseases. The main reason for demodex is a decrease in the body's defenses. In this case, the number of individuals begins to increase rapidly.

Factors that provoke an exacerbation of demodicosis:

• changes in hormonal levels. This problem especially affects adolescents - the sebaceous glands begin to work actively during this period, the secreted fat becomes viscous and changes its composition;
• long-term use of hormonal ointments;
• metabolic disorders;

• the appearance of dermatological problems due to a tick is associated with diseases of the digestive tract;
• concomitant infectious and inflammatory diseases;
• being in constant stress;
• the use of low-quality cosmetics;
• lack of proper hygiene.

Is demodicosis contagious? Skin demodicosis can be transmitted by household contact, so you cannot use someone else's towel, clothing and other personal hygiene items. The spread of the inflammatory process is facilitated by the use of fatty, spicy foods, alcohol, coffee.

Signs of illness

Most often, skin disease first appears at a young age. It is noticed that more women suffer. Signs of demodicosis can be confused with allergies, dermatitis, but there are also specific features:

• a rash may appear that is accompanied by itching, discomfort, and burning in certain areas of the body. The most vulnerable place is the eyelids. Blepharitis develops. The eyes itch, swell, become inflamed, watery eyes are observed;
• there is a greasy shine on the face;
• swelling and redness of the inflamed area;
• coarsening and peeling of the damaged area;
• over time, seals, scars may appear;
• the skin becomes pale, yellow-brown or grayish, acne and pimples are noticeable on it;
• general health worsens. Infected people become irritable, restless, sleep poorly;
• there is a feeling that something is crawling under the skin;
• with lesions of the eyelids, itching and redness of the eyes are disturbing. A plaque appears at the roots of the eyelashes, they stick together, and their loss may begin.

Diagnostic measures

If a demodectic disease is detected, you need to contact a dermatologist. During the examination, the state of the course of the disease will be assessed and directions for tests will be given. To confirm the diagnosis, a scraping is taken from the affected area of the body. The result can be ready in 2 hours.

Under laboratory conditions, the taken biomaterial is poured with a special solution and the number of individuals is counted under a microscope. If the permissible norm is exceeded, treatment is started. If there are at least 5 adults per 1 cm² of skin surface, then the diagnosis of demodicosis is confirmed. Not only the presence of a tick is determined, but also its type.

Before taking the analysis (two weeks before), it is forbidden to use any cosmetics.

Therapeutic actions

How to treat demodicosis at home? Demodex treatment takes a long time. On average, it takes from 4 to 6 months. It all depends on the degree of infection and the individual characteristics of the organism. The difficulty lies in the fact that the tick is small in size, and drug molecules are not always able to penetrate its protective membrane.

The range of drugs can expand depending on the accompanying disorders of internal organs:

• prescribe drugs that increase immunity, for example, "Detox";
• you may need the help of drugs that improve metabolic processes;
• enterosorbents, for example, "Rekitsen";
• in the treatment of demodicosis, antibiotics must be prescribed: "Erythromycin", "Clindamycin";
• vitamin and mineral complexes;
• antiparasitic agents: Demazol cream, Permethrin ointment.
• anti-inflammatory medicines;
• antihistamines, such as Tavegil, Loratadin.

In the treatment of eyes, the use of drugs prescribed for glaucoma is recommended: "Physostigmine", "Armin", "Pilocarpine". All these funds paralyze the muscle apparatus of the ticks. During the recovery period, it is recommended to rub burdock oil into the eyelashes.

How can you get rid of demodicosis? Most often, the treatment regimen for demodicosis includes the use of Trichopolum, Doxycycline, and Tiberal tablets. Local therapy will help to heal skin inflammations, including ointments and creams based on sulfur, ichthyol, metronidazole, amitrazole. Boric alcohol and hydrochloric acid are effective.

Treatment options:

1. Sulfur ointment helps with Demodex, but it dries the skin too much. Can this ointment treat inflammation on the eyelids and eyelashes? To prevent burns, do not apply it to the eyes, eyelids, lips.
2. Skin treatment can be carried out using Wilkinson's ointment. The ointment is rubbed into the skin once a day for three days.
3. Demalan cream has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The medicinal composition is able to remove irritation, reduce itching and burning, and restore damaged skin areas.
4. Prenacid ointment helps to get rid of the tick. The composition eliminates swelling, itching and inflammation.

How to cure demodex quickly? In addition to drugs, supportive cosmetics are required to reduce inflammation and accelerate recovery.

Demodex complex contains a detailed description of the use of a separate product:

1. If a head mite is found, the instruction recommends washing your hair daily with shampoo. After application, leave for 5 minutes and rinse.
2. Demodex complex cream can be selected for night and day action. It is effective when used simultaneously with the gel and tonic of this series.
3. Demodex complex soap cleanses the skin and prevents the re-formation of inflammatory rashes.

Effective treatment is accompanied by the use of other products from the Demodex complex series. Among them you can find liquid soap, wet wipes, tea to increase immunity, hair conditioners. The only drawback is the high price. Some people may have an allergic reaction.

How to treat symptoms with traditional medicine? Traditional medicine cannot be used separately, but only in combination with the main treatment. All formulations offered by alternative medicine are used as compresses, lotions. Decoctions based on tansy, calendula, chamomile, oak bark proved to be effective.

Prevention of invasion

It is extremely rare to eliminate the disease forever. Relapses are characteristic of demodicosis.

To demodex symptoms do not make themselves felt for a long time, you need to follow some rules:

• regularly change bedding, especially pillowcases;
• change towels frequently (it is advisable to wipe your face with disposable towels);
• keep clean things that come into contact with the face (scarf, glasses, hats);
• men should use disposable shaving machines;
• use cosmetics as little as possible;
• eat properly;
• limit your stay in open sunlight, do not visit baths and solariums.

Prohibited foods for this disease, in addition to fried, canned and spicy foods, are honey, citrus fruits, eggs, milk. It is recommended to eat porridge made from rice and buckwheat, cabbage, carrots, apples, dairy products, lean meats and fish, nuts.

The most important condition is considered not only to remove the tick, but also to eliminate the cause that led to the pathological activity of the microorganism. Otherwise, the disease may return again in a more severe form.