For the first time, an insect with the loud name Demodex folliculorum was found in the human auricle. The existence of this tick was discovered by a French dermatologist back in 1841. A year later, an insect was found in human hair. After some time, doctors were horrified to find a parasite in human skin, which multiplied productively there, causing damage to human health.
Later already in the Soviet Union, with deeper research, this type of ticks began to be divided into two types.
Description of the causative agent of the disease
The Demodex tick is a pathogenic parasite. In total, 65 species of this insect are isolated. Only 10 of them can parasitize in the human body, but this is already a large figure, along with other diseases, pathologies that determine the life and internal state of the human body. The remaining 55 species of the Demodex parasite multiply and conduct their activities in the body and on the body of animals. Fortunately, they cannot be transmitted to humans.
As it turned out, this genus has its own preferences regarding the time of day and place of localization on the human body. Periods of tick activity occur at night - daylight is unbearable for them. This species parasitizes in the sebaceous glands, eating their products, as well as the nutrients necessary for healthy skin. The most common are two types of this tick: Demodex brevis, which prefers to multiply and parasitize on human skin, and Demodex folliculorum, an inhabitant of human hair follicles.
These mites are selected on the surface of the skin, slowly moving along it, in order to find a partner for procreation. When the parasite returns to the follicles or sebaceous glands, on its body, it carries many dangerous microorganisms, bacteria and harmful substances.
Dermatologists have found that in the body the presence of a tick is not dangerous until its amount crosses a certain barrier. If in the human body there are less than 4 ticks per follicle, then this does not affect human health. In 97% of the world's population, this species can be found. The tick becomes fatal if the number of these parasites exceeds these numbers.
People call these parasites a tick-iron mite. The disease that these parasites provoke is called demodecosis.
Signs: when you need to sound the alarm?
Signs of the disease are reflected in the person’s appearance, introducing discomfort not only into his life, but also traumatizing the patient’s psyche. In humans, an inferiority complex may form. The primary symptom of demodicosis is redness of the skin, and then the appearance of acne and ulceration on it. The disease spreads throughout the body, focusing on the face, back, less often in the inguinal zone. The main foci of the rash are nasolabial folds, forehead, cheekbones, back, area near the nose, chin. Places covered with a rash blush, itch and flake. Also, they are characterized by a greasy shine. With the development of the disease, the symptoms worsen. Vasodilation, severe redness and enlargement of the nose become noticeable. Not only the skin of the face suffers, but also the eyes, the scalp and the hair itself. Purulent fluid begins to stand out from the eyes, eyelashes become thinner. The disease is accompanied by seborrhea and hair loss.
Causes of the disease
Demodicosis can appear for various reasons. This determines that, having got rid of the parasite, it will not be possible to completely recover from the disease.
Both external and internal factors can provoke the disease. But if demodicosis is diagnosed, treatment in humans takes a long time. No one is safe from re-infection, if once he has already got rid of the parasite.
Perhaps the most important cause of infection is weakened immunity. Various processes in the body can affect this: diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular and endocrine systems, stress and anxiety, as well as the postoperative period. All these reasons can be attributed to internal factors.
External ones include polluted environment: dust, exposure to chemicals. The cause of the disease can be adverse working conditions, which also includes the effects of various substances on the human body. Hormonal preparations, poor cosmetics, dirt, and detergents make their contribution. Together with food, various biological additives and preservatives enter the body, which can also provoke the disease.
If a person for a long time wore this parasite in his body and he did not manifest himself in any way, then immunity created a balance for the cohabitation of the tick and its carrier. However, when the balance is disturbed, the parasite has favorable conditions for reproduction. Immunity is reduced and is no longer able to fight the tick.
How is demodicosis diagnosed?
To detect a disease in humans, doctors do a scraping using a scalpel or an eye spoon. The content of the follicle, which is obtained by extrusion, is also taken as material for analysis.
There are cases when a suspicion of demodicosis of the eyelids may appear directly in the office of an ophthalmologist. In this case, the doctor must inform the patient what procedures need to be done for analysis. As a rule, doctors recommend that 2-3 days before the delivery of materials do not perform cosmetic and hygienic procedures on the eyelids. During this time, enough mite waste products accumulate at the base of the eyelashes.
How to protect yourself from illness?
Unfortunately, demodicosis is transmitted to humans through direct contact with the patient. It also happens that a person, due to fuzzy following the instructions of a doctor, caused a relapse of the disease. It is important to follow the rules so as not to endanger either your own health or the health of loved ones. So, if the diagnosis is demodicosis, treatment in people includes the following rules:
1. Follow a diet: avoid fried, fatty, spicy, smoked.
2. Avoid bad habits: drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes.
3. It is important to strictly follow the rules of personal hygiene: to keep clean, to wash the bedding at high temperatures.
4. The patient should get rid of feather pillows.
5. It is strictly forbidden to use decorative cosmetics.
6. Personal hygiene items: glasses, shaving accessories must be treated with alcohol.
7. A patient with demodicosis is strictly forbidden to visit tanning salons, baths, and to take sun baths.
Of course, such restrictions can deprive a person of pleasant moments in life, but it is better to get rid of the disease on time than to re-treat it later.
The path to liberation
The treatment of demodicosis in humans is a long and laborious process. In many ways, the outcome of the disease depends on the patient himself: his willpower and diligence. The treatment of demodicosis in humans is carried out comprehensively and consists of three stages:
1. Destruction of the causative agent of the disease
2. Elimination of the cause of the disease
3. Getting rid of the effects of tick activity.
Treatment of demodicosis in humans includes the use of drugs of various kinds: medicines that restore immunity, ointments, emulsions, drugs that reduce the allergic reaction.
Separate sites
The most dangerous diseases of the skin and the whole body include demodicosis. Treatment in humans requires a special approach. Starting to progress in one area, the tick spreads throughout the body. A classic example is facial demodecosis in humans. Treatment is usually prescribed as a complex. For example, the treatment of demodicosis of the eyelids in humans includes the observance of certain rules. This is a rejection of lenses, the use of various local drugs: amitrazole, tar, drugs to block the muscles of the parasite. The treatment of demodicosis on the face of a person in many respects coincides with the treatment of tick manifestations on the eyelids. The drugs used are the same. Treatment of demodicosis of the eyelids in humans is carried out with special care. Indeed, vision depends on this.
In a separate subcategory of the disease, demodecosis of the eyelids in humans is distinguished. Symptoms, treatment require special attention.
Signs of a disease of the eyelids include:
- Redness and swelling of the eyelids.
- Severe itching in this area.
- In the morning, the patient observes that a crust has formed on the eyelashes.
- Eyelashes fall out.
Demodecosis of the eyelids can spread to the eyes, in which case complications and new symptoms appear:
- Increases eye sensitivity to light.
- The eyes are blushing.
- Sticky discharge.
- The incidence of barley is increasing.
- Dry eyes.
- Sight is deteriorating.
Starting to treat demodicosis of the eyelids in humans, an ophthalmologist should find out what exactly caused the decrease in immunity. Therefore, along with anti-tick drugs, a person begins to take medications that restore the status of the immune system. Demodecosis of the eyelids in a person is able to disappear if treatment with folk remedies is used. At the very least, it can help the therapy prescribed by a specialist.
In addition to traditional methods, there are other ways to cure demodecosis of the eyelids in humans. Treatment with folk remedies is becoming popular among modern people.
Folk remedies for getting rid of demodicosis of the eyelids
The beneficial properties of wormwood are known to many. Traditional medicine widely uses this plant in the treatment of various diseases, and quite effectively. With the help of wormwood, demodicosis of the eyelids can be cured:
Wormwood is brewed in a glass of boiling water. This capacity requires two tablespoons. Then this broth is applied to the eyelids and held for 15 minutes.
In the treatment of eyelid demodicosis, oak bark is also used.
A teaspoon of this product is boiled in 200 milliliters of water, filtered, and then tampons moistened in broth are applied for half an hour to the eyelids. It is important to periodically change the compresses.
Treatment of eye demodicosis in humans is also possible with the help of folk recipes. To do this, use a decoction of calendula, tansy flowers and other gifts of nature. Traditional medicine is famous for its effectiveness, and most importantly, the naturalness of the drugs. Nevertheless, do not neglect the advice of specialists. It is better to approach the treatment of demodicosis with excessive scrupulousness.
If you find the symptoms listed above, you may have demodicosis. Treatment in humans includes specialized ointments and emulsions, including benzyl benzoate, ichthyol ointment. Ointments are used in combination with immunostimulating drugs.
Special attention deserves demodicosis of the eyes in humans. Treatment, reviews about it testify - the disease is protracted and recurrent. Many people complain, saying that some time after the disappearance of the symptoms of the disease, they reappear. The general requirements for eye treatment are the same as for the treatment of demodicosis on the face of a person, including the rules of hygiene and nutrition. As a rule, many people who have already been treated for this disease say that the drugs are quite effective and the visible symptoms disappear quickly enough, especially if the disease is not started. But at the same time, 50% of patients complain of the recurrence of the disease.
It is important to understand that any parasite, leaving the products of its vital functions, can reappear if you do not carefully follow all the instructions of the doctors.
Demodecosis of the auricles
Before the disease spreads to the ears, it first appears on the face. A complicated form of the disease is demodicosis in the ears of a person. Treatment is prescribed by a specialist and requires a lot of effort.
Use ointments, antiallergenic drugs, since a tick can cause complications and allergic reactions. Auricles are treated with the same ointments as facial skin: benzyl benzoate, trichopolum, metronidazole, as well as sulfur and tar ointments.
On the shelves of pharmacies you can see such a drug as amitrazine. Treating demodicosis in people involves using this medication. It can also be used for animals. The medicine is a solution that must be applied to areas of the skin and around the lesion. An adverse reaction may be slight itching and burning.
Folk methods
In general, there are many tools that help get rid of the tick at home. All of these substances are available, and the recipes are easy to prepare.
Folk remedies are good for the prevention of the disease. These include tar and laundry soap. They can be washed every day, since they have bactericidal properties. In addition, a foamy emulsion can be prepared from laundry soap and applied to the face in the form of a mask. The emulsion is held for a while until it dries, and then washed off.
Chicken egg is also used to get rid of the disease. To do this, you need to pour homemade egg in vinegar and leave in a dark place under the lid for a week. After this period, the vinegar essence merges, and the egg itself is ground to a homogeneous mass. This composition must be applied already to the affected skin.
A mixture of garlic gruel and olive oil is used to alleviate the symptoms of demodicosis. This composition helps to reduce the activity of ticks, the destruction of their metabolic products, and with it the relief of painful sensations.
Demodecosis is a serious disease that can cause negative consequences and health problems. Treatment of demodicosis in people takes a lot of time, effort and is not always effective the first time. Many patients complain that some time after a successful cure, the symptoms of this disease appeared again and again.