Demodecosis can get sick at almost any age. The so-called conditionally pathogenic tick Demodex (the treatment of diseases caused by it often lasts for years) affects the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. It can live on the skin for many years and not manifest itself in any way (the study reveals more than 90 percent of people).
The impetus for the development of demodicosis is often a weakening of immunity due to infectious diseases or stresses. It is also known that the clinical manifestations of skin disease caused by the demodex tick (its symptoms are well known) are more often observed in individuals with endocrine pathologies, metabolic disorders and chronic gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, there are cases when demodicosis developed after using cosmetics with hormonal additives. All these factors create favorable conditions for increasing the number of parasites and, as a result, the occurrence of itching and rashes. The corresponding diagnosis is made on the basis of a microscopic examination of skin scraping: with such an increase, ticks are clearly visible.
Severe itching of the eyelids, more pronounced in the evening hours, and a feeling of heaviness in them, redness and prolonged inflammation of the edges of the eyelids (blepharitis), as well as the appearance of plaque on them and the presence of mucous discharge from the eyes, also give reason to suspect a disease caused by a demodex tick. Symptoms of demodicosis on the eyelids are usually noticeable already at the initial examination. In this case, for the final diagnosis, several eyelashes are taken, which are examined under a microscope. For the skin form of demodicosis, a certain localization of rashes is characteristic. Usually this is the so-called "demodex triangle", limited by nasolabial folds and chin. With the advanced form of the disease, the rash spreads to the chest, and sometimes to the back.
The appearance of the rashes may vary slightly. So, with the pustular form of demodicosis, pustules appear on the skin, with papular - bright red acne, and the erythematous form is characterized by redness of the skin. Often a combined form is also observed - with it several types of rashes are characteristic, which are characteristic of a skin lesion by a Demodex tick. Symptoms of the disease in this case are especially severe. Attempts to squeeze abscesses or acne on their own can significantly complicate the course of the disease. Doing this is by no means impossible, since demodex thus only spreads further on the skin.
With a long course of the disease, the skin becomes covered with tubercles and acquires a reddish tint. Differential diagnosis of demodicosis is carried out primarily with acne (acne), as well as with rosacea, a chronic disease, which, as it is believed, is based on the increased sensitivity of small vessels of the skin to external influences. The difficulty lies in the fact that all these diseases often occur simultaneously. Indirectly confirm the presence of a demodex tick, the symptoms characteristic of demodicosis are: itching of the auricles, a tickling sensation on the skin. With a long, long-term course of the disease, the shape of the nose can also be deformed - this complication is called rhinophyma.
It should be understood: demodicosis, whose symptoms are usually pronounced, necessarily requires appropriate treatment. It should be comprehensive, because the disease most often develops in people with weakened immunity - which means that without its strengthening, achieving a stable remission will be problematic. It is also necessary to treat existing chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Cases of spontaneous healing from this disease, unfortunately, are unknown. However, exactly following all medical recommendations, it is quite possible to achieve persistent improvement.