Demodicosis

Demodecosis is an infestation of smooth skin and hair with microscopic mites of the genus “Demodex”.

It begins with the appearance of a skin rash, pimples, sores on the face, chest, back, increased oiliness of the skin and itching.

Further progression of the disease causes severe cosmetic defects: the skin becomes ash gray, the affected areas become nodules and lumps, the nose begins to look puffy, facial movements become difficult.

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If the hair is affected – itching, falling out of the hair and eyelashes, and there is a risk of secondary infection.

What are the symptoms?

The main clinical manifestation is the inflammatory processes of the skin. And if the application of the usual anti-acne cosmetics does not achieve an effect and instead the amount of pink spots and pimples increases and the release of sebaceous secretions increases.

And the complexion of the skin acquires gray to purple shades, then you should conduct a microscopic examination for the presence of demodex in the hair follicles.

The clinical manifestation of the disease depends on the amount of mites that reproduce, on the condition of the organism and on the type of skin.

Improper skin care of the affected person is also of great importance for the development of symptoms.

There is a classification of the disease, depending on the type of lesions, but in most cases it is manifested by different forms of the skin rash.

Also, the shape of the type of demodecosis speaks for its course.

What causes it?

The mite Demodex folliculorum, causing the disease, was discovered in 1842. To date, there are 65 species of mites, but only three of them parasitize humans and the rest only in animals.

The habitat of the mite is the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Their preferred location is in the area under the chin and around the nose.

The small tick can also appear in the eyebrows and eyelashes, and in the latter case blepharitis develops.

The size of the adult mite is about 0.3-0.4 mm, and its body is covered with scales, due to which it firmly attaches itself to the hair follicles.

The small ticks feed on secretions from the sebaceous glands and human hormones and avoid daylight.

This explains why itching and unpleasant sensations increase during the dark part of the day.

What are the complications?

Deteriorated skin conditions contribute to the development of other skin diseases such as symptoms similar to those of rosacea and dermatitis also become more pronounced.

If the mite invades the eyelashes, conjunctivitis or blepharitis develops.

Scratching and constant trauma to the skin due to the desire of patients to mechanically remove the rash can become the cause of the spread of purulent infection, which may affect different parts of the body.

Treatment of demodicosis

The disease is chronic with periods of remissions and exacerbations.

Its complete cure is impossible, but it is quite possible to achieve a long-term and stable remission, in which the skin is in a state of clinical health.

The use of antiparasitic drugs is not always appropriate. Because the peculiarities of the life cycle of the causative agent of the disease are such that long courses of antiparasitic therapy are imperative.

And in practice, the only drugs that can achieve remission of parasitosis are from the group of tinidazole and metronidazole.

During the treatment, it is recommended to change the bedding daily, and it should be washed at a temperature above 80 degrees Celsius, as high temperatures are harmful to the mite.

Prevention

Specific prevention does not exist, but if you eat right and take care of your skin, do not use other people’s cosmetics, the probability of contracting a mite sharply decreases.