Demodicosis is an inflammation of the facial skin by a microscopic mite. There may also be demodicosis of the eyelids, eyebrows and nose. The parasite penetrates the subcutaneous tissue when a person’s immunity weakens.
Visually, demodicosis on the face looks like ordinary teenage acne, shaped like a red tubercle. More than 70% of people cannot even think that such a terrible tick already lives in their body.
Most often, demodicosis is observed in women due to hormonal imbalances. Also, the appearance of disease in a woman’s body can be triggered by the use of low-quality cosmetics.
Etiology and pathogenesis of demodicosis
The mite that causes demodicosis on the face was studied in 1842. In total, about 70 species of this parasite are known, but only three of them are dangerous to humans, others only harm animals. The size of an adult tick is no more than 0.5 mm. It feeds on human hormones and lard. Afraid of daylight, active in the dark
A female can lay several dozen eggs during her life cycle. New individuals are ready to breed in a couple of days.
At present, it is not yet fully known when the tick begins to multiply rapidly. But in most cases, this is influenced by stress and nervous tension.
The main causes of demodicosis
The appearance of demodicosis in the body occurs for many reasons. Very often, ticks appear in people of old age. But there are also the following reasons:
- Using low-quality cosmetics. If you have sensitive skin, choose such products carefully, it is better to consult with specialists several times.
- Improper functioning of the endocrine system.
- Problems in the gastrointestinal tract. Doctors advise sticking to the necessary diet and taking better care of your skin.
- Nervous system disorder. Try not to get into stressful situations. Drink soothing tea and herbs. Take medications only as prescribed by a specialist.
From the onset of the disease until treatment, demodicosis is contagious to others. One handshake can transmit the disease.
Causes of demodicosis of the eyes
This disease can appear as a result of internal factors:
- decreased immunity after illness;
- chronic microbial and viral diseases;
- the appearance of foci of infection in the body, for example, untreated caries;
- eye refractive diseases;
- hormonal disorders;
- seborrheic dermatitis;
- acne;
- disturbances in the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems;
- diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract.
External factors can also trigger the appearance of demodicosis of the eyes:
- previous ophthalmic surgeries;
- dirty, dusty air;
- high air temperature;
- unhealthy lifestyle, alcohol abuse.
Untreated demodicosis can lead to keratitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, blepharitis and visual impairment. A deficiency of tear fluid is dangerous for the development of secondary infection.
How to properly treat demodicosis
It will take a long time to get rid of demodicosis and forget about this disease forever. Treatment of demodicosis is carried out using a set of measures to improve the immune system and eliminate disruptions of the endocrine system.
Medicines that help get rid of ticks are called acaricidal. The most effective: Demalan, Wilkinson Ointment, Sulfur Ointment, Colbiotsin, Eubetal, Prenatsid, Spregal Cream, Yam Ointment.
There is also a whole series of products against this disease, “Stop Demodex,” which includes hygiene products.
Treatment of demodicosis in humans
Demodicosis of the head
Unfortunately, demodicosis is very difficult to treat.
Therefore, when this diagnosis is confirmed, the patient will have to be patient and strictly follow all the doctor’s instructions.
The course of treatment can last up to six months and consists of complex procedures.
Along with demodicosis, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are often diagnosed - pancreatitis, cholecystitis, intestinal dysbiosis.
Sometimes consultations with other specialists are required - an endocrinologist, gynecologist, neurologist.
In addition to eliminating the parasite, treatment of demodicosis is aimed at increasing the body's defenses, so the inclusion of vitamin preparations is required.
It is equally important to take antihistamines, since mites, in most cases, cause allergies.
Drug therapy
It is necessary to start treating demodex with drugs that contain metronizadol.
If treatment does not bring any results, switch to ornidazole or other, stronger drugs, but only as prescribed by a doctor.
Demodicosis of the eyelids is recommended to be treated with ointments, for example, prenacid or demalan.
The latter is considered a very effective medicine, which combines the substance metronidazole, as well as active biological substances of the cornea of animals.
It is with their help that tissue regeneration is stimulated.
Before using demalan, it is necessary to treat the surface of the eyelids with an alcohol solution based on calendula or eucalyptus.
In addition, demalan can be applied not only to the eyelids, but also to areas of the facial skin.
But Prenacid very well relieves the toxic consequences that arise after a parasitic tick.
If demodex has caused conjunctivitis or blepharitis, then atiobiotic eye drops or ointment - eubetal or colbiocin - are used.
In addition to drug treatment, physiotherapy methods are used for this disease - ozone or magnetic therapy, as well as massage, which can be done independently at home.
It is carried out with clean fingers moistened with water for 1-5 minutes.
Medicines
Antiprotozoal drugs help well against demodicosis. They act on the nervous system of the tick, and it dies. The tablets must be used carefully; many have contraindications.
The doctor determines the treatment and the amount of drugs.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this disease are very varied. They are similar to the symptoms of rosacea and acne. These diseases can provoke the occurrence of demodicosis, since acne makes the skin more vulnerable. Each person's symptoms are different.
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Let's look at the main symptoms:
- Unpleasant sensations in the facial area (itching). In the evening and at night the itching intensifies.
- The appearance of lumps
- Clogged pores
- Crawl sensation
- Appearance of scars
- Spots of various sizes
- Acne (main symptom)
- Peeling of facial skin
- Appearance of oily sheen
- Changing facial skin tone
- Skin becomes damp
- Difficulty in facial movements
- Redness of the facial skin
Even one symptom may indicate illness. In this case, you need to start treatment.
Prevention
To prevent the appearance of demodicosis, women need to follow the following rules:
- Maintain facial hygiene;
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle;
- Use only proven cosmetics;
- Support immunity with vitamins;
- Get rid of bad habits.
These rules will help maintain healthy skin. To better understand what this disease looks like, look at the photo of demodicosis.
Demodicosis is a complex disease and can become chronic if it is not treated promptly. Also, do not forget that for proper treatment you need to contact specialists.
Symptoms of demodicosis
Demodicosis manifests itself in 2 forms: the skin form of the disease and demodicosis of the eyelids .
With the cutaneous form of demodicosis, inflammation appears on the skin of the face, the chin, cheeks and brow ridges are especially affected. The skin of the chest and back is much less commonly affected. The main symptom of the cutaneous form of demodicosis is inflammation of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles, which leads to the formation of acne, redness of the skin and the formation of crusts.
Symptoms of demodicosis of the eyes may be as follows:
- itching and burning at the base of the eyelashes;
- eyelashes sticking together in the morning;
- rapid eye fatigue;
- dry eye syndrome;
- yellowish mucus in the eyes;
- sensation of a foreign body in the eye.
Symptoms may worsen in the morning, as well as after taking a hot bath, visiting a bathhouse or sauna, or being in the sun.
If such symptoms are detected, you should urgently consult a dermatologist (in the case of the skin form of the disease) or an ophthalmologist (in the case of eye demodicosis): the disease is contagious and quickly spreads to neighboring areas.
1 Diagnosis and treatment of demodicosis
2 Diagnosis and treatment of demodicosis
3 Treatment of demodicosis
What is the diagnosis of eye demodicosis based on?
An experienced ophthalmologist conducts special laboratory tests to identify Demodex mites, and also pays attention to the visible characteristic signs of eye demodicosis:
- redness along the edges of the eyelids;
- pustules between eyelashes;
- sticky eyelashes with a yellowish coating and scales;
- dilated capillaries of the eyelids and retina;
- thinning and frequent loss of eyelashes.
