How to cure demodicosis? According to reviews, this is not easy. This disease is caused by the activity of the mite-iron gland. It most often affects the skin of the face and head, but it can also develop demodectic blepharoconjunctivitis, and other similar pathologies. Separately, ophthalmic demodicosis is determined.
The disease is characterized by irritation and peeling of the skin, often dry white scales appear on the hair - dandruff, which are a sign of the disease, as well as hair loss or eyelashes. The mite itself (Demodex) is invisible to the naked eye. It can only be seen under a microscope. Iron mites live on the skin of every person, but they cause pathological phenomena only when there are too many of them.
Reasons for the development of pathology
Iron mite (Demodex) lives not only on the scalp. He prefers glands and follicles, because there he receives nutrition - the natural secretions of the glands and the dead epidermal layer. Therefore, in the lacrimal glands, it can also start.
The mechanism of the development of the disease is as follows: the tick secretes special enzyme compounds, and under their influence the composition of the thin protective layer of fat, which is always on the skin of a person, changes. This leads to local swelling. If the human immune system works well, then this swelling goes away pretty quickly. But if immunity is reduced for some reason, then the number of ticks living in the sebaceous gland increases sharply, and after some time the classic symptoms of demodicosis appear.
Thus, the cause of the disease is always an increased activity of the tick. And it grows under the influence of the following factors:
- decreased immunity;
- disruption of the sebaceous glands and a change in the chemical composition of their secretion;
- already existing skin pathologies;
- hormonal imbalance (this can occur not only due to some kind of systemic diseases, but also because of the long-term use of hormonal drugs).
All of the above applies to internal factors. However, do not underestimate the effects of external factors on the skin of the face and head. For example, poor-quality skin and hair care products can cause demodicosis. And the situation can worsen significantly if a person combes the affected area and spreads the disease to unaffected areas of the body.
External factors also include:
- excessive consumption of coffee and tea, which can lead to dry skin;
- unhealthy diet with an excessively high content of simple carbohydrates and various synthetic additives;
- Passion for spices and savory snacks.
Bad habits like smoking and drinking alcohol can also affect your situation.
Do not forget that a person can get demodecosis not only because of the active development of their own ticks, but also because they will be infected by strangers. Usually this happens due to non-compliance with hygiene rules when using someone else's hairbrushes, puffs, and other similar items.
Symptoms
Although most often this disease develops on the scalp, it can also affect the chest and back due to the fact that there is a large number of sebaceous glands. However, usually still the most susceptible to demodicosis are areas such as the forehead, nose and scalp.
Symptoms of the pathology appear gradually. First, a characteristic rash appears - erythema, and this is accompanied by local swelling and redness of the skin. For many, the main symptom is the formation of acne. But it may look different - sometimes these are nodules and pustule vesicles, and in some cases, telangiectasias, when a semblance of red stars forms. Sometimes the rash appears not only on the face, but also on the scalp. The skin in the affected areas becomes more dense. The vascular network is clearly visible on the face. These already unpleasant phenomena are accompanied by itching.
If the disease affects the skin of the scalp, then dandruff may appear in the form of dry white scales. Sometimes such peeling appears on the skin of the eyebrows. Thus, the characteristic features are:
- redness of the skin;
- peeling;
- expansion of superficial vessels;
- the appearance of pink acne.
Despite the external resemblance to acne, it is impossible to treat it in the same ways, since they will be ineffective, time will be lost, and the tick will have time to master new areas of the skin. As a result, demodicosis will turn into a chronic form in which remission will alternate with exacerbations, due to which rough scars can remain on the face.
As for eye demodicosis, this is a whole group of diseases. Some of them can occur in an erased form, without pronounced symptoms. In most cases, demadecotic blepharitis is observed, which is combined with a corresponding facial skin pathology. Its main symptoms are redness and large plate peeling of the eyelids, the patient constantly feels eye fatigue, sometimes burning or pinching, itching, there is a feeling that something has got into the eye. In the morning, there are sticky discharge, during the day - itching in the ciliary region and a feeling of sand.
Diagnostic Features
For the proper treatment of this disease, the correct diagnosis is very important. The tick itself is not visible to the naked eye, but an experienced doctor can guess the essence of the disease even in the appearance of the affected areas. However, he needs to confirm his guess, so he must take a scraping from the skin for examination. This will help not only to determine the causative agent of the disease, but also to estimate its quantity.
In addition, an analysis of the sebaceous glands. This is not always done, since this procedure is very traumatic, and not always necessary. Sometimes an analysis of eyelashes and hairline is even prescribed to determine the presence of ticks in the follicles.
Methods of treating demodicosis
From the very beginning, you need to tune in to the fact that the treatment will be long, on average it can take one and a half to three months. In most cases, local means are used for this, which are applied to problem areas of the skin to completely exterminate the parasites. But an integrated approach is very important. If you do not simultaneously engage in strengthening immunity, then you can get a relapse. Therefore, vitamin therapy, the intake of immunostimulants, the general strengthening of the body and diet correction play an important role.
The external agents mentioned above not only destroy parasites, but also cleanse the skin of their waste products, they also have anti-inflammatory effects. In severe cases, doctors may prescribe appropriate medications inside. At the same time, measures are being taken to treat concomitant inflammatory diseases, including gastritis, ulcers, seborrheic dermatitis, and other pathologies.
Drug therapy of demodicosis
The most effective medicine for ticks is Metronidazole (Trichopolum). It is often taken orally at the dosage indicated by the doctor (on average, twice a day with meals, 0.25 g each). The duration of treatment is six weeks, after which it is recommended to take a break for 2-3 weeks, then repeat the course if necessary.
"Metronidazole" helps to cope with the parasite due to the destructive effect on its muscular system. There are not so many side effects of the drug, but they are. Basically, this is a decrease in appetite, a feeling of dry mouth, less often - headaches.
Between courses, the patient is prescribed oral administration of purified sulfur - also at the dosage indicated by the doctor. In some cases, a drug such as Tinidazole is additionally prescribed.
If demodicosis is accompanied by the appearance of ulcers, you may need to take drugs such as antibiotics from the tetracycline, erythromycin, and levomycetin groups. However, only a doctor can prescribe them on the basis of test results.
The general condition of the patient is improved by taking calcium, phosphorus, and iron preparations. Your doctor may prescribe multivitamins. At this time, it is recommended that you keep as little as possible in direct sunlight. If it is not possible to limit the stay, and the patient's skin is sensitive, the doctor may prescribe resorcinol or injections of nicotinic acid.
Diet
In the treatment of this disease, diet plays a special role. The diet should be such as to provide the body with vitamins C, folic acid, antioxidants. It is recommended to exclude cheating, smoked meats, spicy dishes, any alcoholic beverages. The best option is treatment table No. 5 according to M. Pevzner. In addition to these restrictions, he orders to refuse fatty and fried foods. And all dishes should be served warm, but not hot and not cold, in order to provide the gastrointestinal tract with a gentle regime.
Fractional nutrition is encouraged in small portions, you can not overeat in any case. The diet must necessarily include fermented milk products, vegetables and fruits (except for starchy and containing a large amount of carbohydrates), leafy greens.
The use of external funds
For the treatment of scalp, doctors recommend such products as ichthyol and sulfuric ointment, as well as benzyl benzoate (20%). The latter - in the event that there are no allergic reactions. However, the use of these products will not give any effect, if at the same time you do not disinfect bedding and towels.
According to reviews, in the treatment of demodicosis on the face with drugs, Spregal gives a good effect, which includes esbiol and piperonil, which act on the nervous system of parasites, but are harmless to humans. However, it is used only for facial skin; it cannot be applied to the scalp. The product is left on the skin for 12 hours, and all this time you can not wash. The duration of treatment is 1-2 weeks, depending on the severity of the situation.
For the scalp is used "Demodex Complex" - a special shampoo that cleanses the skin and hair and at the same time destroys the parasite. There are other similar products containing sulfur, zinc, an extract of celandine, eucalyptus, tea tree and other natural antiseptics.
The use of folk remedies
By themselves, traditional folk remedies cannot give an effect, because they do not completely destroy the parasites. However, they can be used as part of complex therapy.
Some folk remedies are recognized as official medicine. Others, on the contrary, do not approve of it. The latter include, for example, skin lubrication with kerosene. Of course, the parasite does not receive oxygen and dies. However, it is dangerous for a person at least the risk of burns and poisoning, not to mention the fact that his skin also does not receive enough oxygen. And for sensitive skin, this method is extremely dangerous.
Another thing is the addition of high-quality birch tar, sold today in pharmacies, to ready-made shampoos and masks and for hair. You can also add it a little to face skin products. Official medicine also favors the use of body art.
Such methods are suitable for the treatment of demodicosis:
- Rubbing the skin with cucumber juice or watermelon to moisturize it.
- The use of cosmetic ice based on various herbal infusions, for example, chamomile (1 tbsp.spoon of crushed dried flowers in a glass of boiling water, leave to cool). Similarly, chilled linden infusion is made and used as an external remedy.
- A decoction of buckthorn bark (1 tbsp. L. Plant materials per glass of boiling water).
- Eucalyptus essential oil (a few drops are added to conventional cosmetics).
- Natural detox - for this it is recommended to brew herbal teas based on mint, leaves and seeds of plantain, nettle grass.
Caution must be observed in relation to any herbal remedy, as it can cause allergies.
You can make a mask based on antiseptic ointments, in which a small amount of alcohol tincture of calendula is added (it is sold in pharmacies). antiseptic effect. However, the last ingredient can also be used as an independent tool due to the pronounced
But a mask based on garlic, which is recommended by many traditional healers, is better not to do, because this is fraught with burns.
How to care for skin and hair?
According to reviews, with demodicosis, you need to abandon any warming procedures. You can’t go to the sauna or bath, ready-made warming masks and home cosmetics on honey are contraindicated, since it helps to expand the pores and blood vessels.
The skin of a person suffering from demodicosis needs active hydration. This will help relieve inflammation. For this, it is necessary to use medical cosmetics containing hyaluronic acid, alginate masks are suitable. It is important to regularly use medical scrubs and peels to get rid of dead skin particles - this will deprive the tick of its nutritional base.
To wash your hair during this period, it is recommended to use tar soap, since it destroys the parasite and at the same time takes care of the skin. For these purposes, you can also independently prepare a "talker", for which they take 0.5 cups of distilled water, 10 pre-ground tablets of chloramphenicol, the same amount of trichopolum and nystatin, and 100 g of dimexide are added to this.
According to reviews, in the treatment of demodicosis on the face with drugs prepared in the form of a talker, the effect can be achieved relatively quickly. You can wash your face with it. The course of treatment with such a talker should not exceed two weeks.
Demodecosis of the eye: treatment features
According to reviews, in the treatment of demodicosis in humans, this form of the disease also requires quite a long therapy, up to two months. Usually simultaneously with facial demodicosis, but the methods used are slightly different. The traditional option is zinccythiol ointment for demodicosis, according to reviews, which gives a good effect. Some doctors still prescribe yellow mercury ointment, but it is keratotoxic, can be used only for a short period of time, and is completely contraindicated during pregnancy.
In principle, many acaricidal drugs used for demodicosis on the face according to reviews, including the tar and benzyl benzoate mentioned above, are keratotoxic. Therefore, they are used with caution, strictly following the recommendations of the doctor. Often, drugs are also prescribed that are used to treat glaucoma. These are the so-called cholinomimetics, which include Tosmilen, Physostigmine, and several others. Their action is that they have a paralyzing effect on the muscular system of parasites.
The eyelids are recommended to be lubricated, according to reviews, with demodicosis gel (for example, 4% pilocarpine) or treated with a special thin brush dipped in a 1.5% carbochol solution. It has the same paralyzing effect as the above drugs. According to reviews, with demodicosis of the eyelids, treatment with this agent is effective.
In case of ocular demadecosis, Metronidazole can be prescribed, only in this case in the form of a gel (it is produced in different dosages, the doctor chooses the appropriate option). The use of this tool for demodicosis of the eyes, according to reviews, is considered justified in a recurring form of the disease. The maximum duration of the course is two weeks. At the end of the treatment, burdock oil (or similarly active agents) is used to stimulate eyelash growth.
In no case, you can not use ointments from the group of corticosteroids with this disease, since they, although they relieve inflammation, but reduce local immunity and only give an impetus to the reproduction of ticks.
According to reviews, various physiotherapeutic methods can be used for demodicosis in humans, for example, electrophoresis on the eyelids using zinc sulfate or a solution of dimexide. But in any case, only a doctor can prescribe this or that method.
Conclusion
The disease is quite common and requires complex treatment. Therefore, with the first symptoms of pathology, you need to seek medical help. It is not recommended to ignore this condition, and treatment with folk remedies can only be used as adjunctive therapy.