Demodex Mites

What are demodex mites?

Demodex mites are small microscopic mites which feed on the oils, hormones, and other fluids around our hair follicles. You can not see these mites, but most people have them. They are usually present in the head area liking our eyelashes, eyebrows, forehead, scalp, nose, chin, and cheeks. There are two kinds-Demodex Folliculorum and Demodex Brevis. Demodex Folliculorum resides head down in the hair follicle. Demodex Brevis resides in the sebaceous glands.

Demodex mites actually produce an antigen when they feed in the hair follicle. Then, our bodies go to work making antibodies against the bugs. This keeps their reproduction low and in balance. So, if our bodies come under attack and our immune systems are compromised (such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, stress, etc.) these mite colonies can reproduce or spread because we have stopped producing the very antibodies that have kept them in check. This is where we can become infested with Demodex mites.Do the Demodex cause skin problems or do the skin problems become a breeding ground for the human mites? The answer is not in yet. But there is increasing awareness that there is a connection.

And if you think that it might be an allergic reaction to their feces, think again. These parasites don't poop. Nope! They produce so little waste in their digestive systems that they do not even have an excretory opening. The mites die, rot, and liquefy in the skin.

The Life Cycle of the Demodex Mite

From the time from hatching to adult --- 7 days.

Total time for adult to death --- up to several weeks.

I have chose to NOT show you pictures of these creatures so as to avoid you running to your nearest emergency room. Creepy yes! I do however have a demodex mite video for those who are curious.

Problems Associated with Demodex

When these mites become overgrown (infestation) they attract bacteria, this causes an irritation. Problems associated with infestation are;

--rosacea

--acne

--hair loss

--face reddening

--burning

--stinging --watering of the eyes

--swollen nose

--itching of face or scalp

--large pores

--pimples and blemishes

--whiteheads

--blackheads

--pustules

--cysts

--what is termed as adult acne

Usually if an infestation is detected by your doctor he/she will prescribe permethrin cream. In severe cases an oral prescription of ivermectin will also be given.

I would see a dermatologist if I suspected that I had these human skin parasites. I would want it to be checked out under a microscope as to what exactly is causing this problem. These mites can not be seen by the naked eye.

If that was impossible I would immediately begin treating my face and scalp with tea tree oil products every night. That's because I know that these creatures are more active at night. This is why you should never go to bed with a dirty face. Can you imagine the bacteria they come into contact with and then carry down into the pores of your skin? They travel up to the skin surface to mate and then retreat to lay eggs in your hair follicles. This treatment needs to be done consistently for the demodex mite enclose their eggs in a membrane that is impervious even to pesticides. In a few months time I would expect to see this problem as a thing of the past.

Symptoms

Periodic face reddening usually caused by a triggering factor such as hot environment, hot showers, alcohol, PMS, or emotional upset.

Dilated blood vessels over time.

Swelling over affected areas.

Papules, lesions, pimples

Ocular Rosacea: Stinging, burning, and watering of the eyes.

Red swollen nose.

Not everyone will have all these symptoms or the same symptoms.

What Can I Do?

Use tea tree oil soap to cleanse face and body.

Use tea tree oil cream 2 times a day. If you find this too irritating to your skin switch every 2nd day to calendula cream. Then go back to tea tree oil cream.

Shampoo with tea tree oil shampoo every day. For a great tea tree oil shampoo click here. Change your pillowcase daily.

Wash your linens with perfume-free, dye-free laundry detergent to which you have added 10 drops of tea tree oil in each load of laundry. While you're fighting demodex check out this page explaining how you can make your own safe, non-toxic home cleaning products.

More information is available through this article: Demodex Mites: Could They Be Causing Your Skin Problems?

Avoid trigger factors, use your special tea tree oil cream, soap, and shampoo consistently.

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