Demodecosis is a disease caused by the activity of a subcutaneous tick, acne zheleznitsa. The tick lives in the upper subcutaneous layer of a person and feeds on the contents of the follicles of hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, in men - bristles. Ointments from demodicosis are effective, but they should be used for a long time - from one month to a year. This duration is associated with the life cycle of the subcutaneous parasite. If therapeutic agents are used for a short period of time, then over time the patient is almost guaranteed to suffer from a relapse of demodicosis.
Symptoms of demodicosis: when it's time to start to sound the alarm
Dermatologists distinguish two forms of pathology: skin demodecosis and eyelid demodecosis. Symptoms may vary depending on the stage of the pathology.
Demodecosis of the skin, as a rule, provokes focal inflammation of the integument in the area of the superciliary arches, cheeks and chin. Less often, rashes appear on the skin of the body - the chest or upper back. The main symptoms are:
- Inflammation of the sebaceous glands, in connection with which acne and acne appear on the affected area. Blockage of the sebaceous gland over time leads to inflammation in it, as a result of which pustules form, to which staphylococcal infection can subsequently join.
- Slight pruritus in the habitat of acne, which sometimes causes the patient to comb the skin before scratching. Itching occurs as a protective allergic reaction of the body to the activity of the tick and its metabolic products.
- Acne and nodules are found both on the face and on the skin of the body, as well as pustules, which are characteristic of rosacea.
- An increase in size (swelling, swelling and meatiness) of the wings of the nose. This phenomenon occurs due to tissue sclerosis in the absence of treatment for demodicosis for a long period of time. As a result of the process, the nose can change its shape forever - to lengthen and grow in breadth.
- Redness of the skin in a place affected by a tick is called arterial hyperemia. This phenomenon does not always indicate the presence of a parasite, but if there are no other symptoms that would indicate the presence of other chronic diseases, you should contact a dermatologist.
With demodicosis of the eyelids, the following symptoms are observed:
- The patient constantly complains of fatigue and itching of the eyes, and over time (in the absence of adequate treatment) vision may deteriorate.
- Itching in the eyelids, often often so painful that the patient, as a result of combing, tears out his eyelashes (from which the itching intensifies even more).
- The appearance of a small amount of pus in the morning in the area of the roots of the eyelashes, as a result of which they stick together, is one of the most striking symptoms of this form of pathology.
- Redness of the eyelids and the appearance of a network of blood vessels is another common symptom of demodicosis of the eyelids.
- Eyelash loss even without mechanical action occurs if the skin is infected with a Demodex folliculorum tick. By its activity, it destroys the eyelash follicles, as a result of which they fall out almost painlessly. In advanced cases, the eyelids can remain completely bald.
Reasons for the development of demodicosis and diagnosis
There is only one reason for the development of pathology - tick infection. This can happen when using the same towel, in bodily contact with an infected person, when cleaning the skin of the face in the cabin, when using common bedding.
If there is a suspicion of any form of pathology, you should visit a dermatologist. To make an accurate diagnosis, you will have to go through simple procedures - scraping from the skin or ciliary test, which will then be subjected to microscopy (study of biomaterial under special equipment). As a result of the study, it will be possible to accurately state whether there is demodicosis, and what type of tick caused it. After diagnosis, the dermatologist will prescribe a treatment that must be followed by the patient for a long time. After treatment, you should re-examine and make sure that the tick has left the skin.
Features of therapy and a list of the most effective ointments
As a rule, local drugs (ointments from demodicosis) are used for treatment. Treatment should be prescribed by a dermatologist and carried out under his supervision. If demodecosis of the eyelids has been diagnosed, then it is worth visiting an ophthalmologist to prevent negative consequences from the ocular apparatus.
The pharmacological effect of drugs that are used as an independent tool or as part of a comprehensive treatment for demodicosis:
- high antidemodecosis activity;
- disinfection of skin pores;
- decrease in the severity of itching;
- anti-inflammatory effect;
- decreased sebum production.
As a rule, when using ointments from demodicosis, therapy lasts about two to three months. However, depending on the course of the disease and the type of tick, treatment can be much longer - up to a year and a half. As a rule, in patients with demodicosis, immunity is reduced. In people with strong immunity, a tick may simply not take root. Therefore, it is advisable, in addition to ointments from demodicosis, to use vitamins and dietary supplements to increase immunity and get rid of autoimmune diseases. If severe forms of damage to the eyelids and eyeball, as well as visual impairment with ocular demodicosis, are observed, then you should definitely get an appointment for parallel therapy from an ophthalmologist to maintain eye health. Often, demodicosis goes hand in hand with concomitant dermatological diseases, so it is important to correctly formulate a comprehensive treatment.
Instructions for use with permethrin ointment
The main active ingredient in the ointment is permethrin. The tool provides local acaricidal action. Instructions for use with permethrin ointment reports that permethrin disrupts the permeability of channels and affects the metabolism of tick parasites in nerve cells (not only with demodex, it is also effective against fleas, lice, etc.). As a result, the tick paralyzes, it dies. Having a tiny size of molecules, permethrin penetrates a solid cuticle of a tick and concentrates in hemolymph.
This ointment from demodicosis does not have a toxic effect on internal organs (some other ointments are absorbed and enter the bloodstream, resulting in a hepatotoxic effect). Permethrin ointment is tolerated by most patients without side effects. This is a safe modern treatment for both ocular and skin demodicosis (before use, consult a dermatologist about the frequency of use and method of application).
Reviews on the use of permethrin ointment
Reviews on the use of permethrin ointment with demodicosis are different. But the positives still prevail. Patients are unhappy with the action of the ointment, usually due to improper use.
If the remedy is prescribed by a doctor, specifying the frequency and method of use, and also recommends a number of other necessary medicines for taking, then the result of treatment is positive. A week later, judging by the reviews, the skin brightens, itching goes away, inflamed vessels hide.
Salicylic and sulfuric ointments for demodicosis: use and reviews
Sulfur ointment is one of the most effective ointments for demodicosis, while it has a very budget price. One jar will cost the buyer only 50 rubles.
The main active ingredient in the ointment is precipitated sulfur. With ocular demodicosis, the ointment is better not to use, since if it gets on the mucous membrane, there can be extremely negative consequences. With skin demodicosis, the drug should be applied with a thin layer to the site of the epidermal lesion - such an application will help get rid of demodicosis as quickly as possible. Reviews of sulfuric ointment report that relief comes only after about three to four days of use. However, one must not stop treatment, but continue it for at least three months. At the end of therapy, take tests and undergo the necessary studies to make sure that the tick larvae do not remain in the tissues. It is this approach to treatment that will be most effective in the fight against demodicosis.
Salicylic ointment is another cheap and effective tool. The main active ingredient is salicylic acid. It is better not to apply it on the eyelids, since there is a risk of getting a mucous burn. As a rule, dermatologists prescribe, in addition to ointments, other means to combat skin demodecosis. Patient reviews report that salicylic ointment is an effective and inexpensive remedy. But alas, this drug will not help to completely defeat demodicosis - more powerful local drugs are required.
Instructions for use aversectin ointment
Aversectin ointment is a complex insecticidal-acaricidal agent for topical application of systemic action. It helps not only with demodicosis, but also with lice and fleas. Instructions for use with aversectin ointment reports that the drug should be applied to the affected area once or twice a day. The duration of treatment should be determined by the attending physician. 1 g contains 0.5 mg of aversectin C (this is the main active ingredient).
When using this ointment, it should be noted that it is usually used in veterinary medicine. But some dermatologists prescribe it to people: according to reviews, therapy gives good results. But before starting use, you should make sure that there is no allergy. Independent use of this ointment from demodicosis is strictly prohibited. In some cases, an allergic reaction can lead to very dire consequences, up to the development of a deadly edema.
Ointment "Yam": application, results and reviews
Ointment "Yam" is used in veterinary medicine to treat various skin lesions, including demodicosis. The active ingredients of the ointment are sulfur and zinc oxide. Also included are auxiliary components:
- salicylic acid;
- Phenolic Coal Creole;
- petroleum jelly;
- lanolin;
- tar;
- turpentine.
When applied to the eyelids, care should be taken so that the ointment does not get on the mucous membrane. Reviews of veterinarians about the effect of the ointment are positive, the therapeutic effect is pronounced. For this reason, many people at their own peril and risk try to self-medicate with Yam ointment. From demodicosis, it can really help. But in parallel, serious side effects can occur, which, in turn, will also require treatment.
The drug can be purchased in pharmacies without a prescription from a doctor. But the instructions for use for the ointment "Yam" reports that the drug is made for use in veterinary medicine, it is not intended for the treatment of human skin pathologies.
However, if you do not control the situation with the reproduction of ticks, after the end of the course of treatment, relapse is possible. Without consulting a dermatologist and his appointment, the use of ointment is prohibited.
There is a variation of the drug called Yam BK. It is produced by the Veterinary Medicines Plant. The composition, in addition to the ingredients listed above, also includes the antiseptic lysol, which helps to cleanse the skin from pathogenic microflora. Indications for use are the same. The drug is not intended to treat people.
"Demalan" with the initial symptoms of demodicosis
Ointment "Demalan" is actively used by patients on their own and is prescribed by dermatologists for various kinds of infectious lesions of the upper epithelium, including helping to get rid of demodicosis. Ointment "Demalan" shows a good therapeutic effect in the early stages. The main active ingredient is metronidazole. The composition of the ointment also includes moisturizing natural substances:
- chamomile extract;
- natural glycans;
- lanolin;
- olive oil.
Patient reviews indicate that the ointment very effectively removes the symptoms of demodicosis - itching, redness. But the ointment may not directly cause the death of ticks (the result of therapy depends on the stage of pathology and the sensitivity of the parasites to the main components of the drug).
The use of "benzyl benzoate": instructions and reviews
If you believe the reviews, the ointment with benzyl benzoate helps already on the second or third day to feel a decrease in the itching of the affected areas of the skin. The active component, when a parasite enters the body, begins to accumulate in it and disrupts the functioning of all tick systems, bringing relief to the patient and helping to completely get rid of demodicosis over time. Ointments with benzyl benzoate in the composition lead to the rapid death of pathogenic ticks of almost all types and names.
For the treatment of demodicosis can be used "Benzyl benzoate" in the form of an emulsion. They treat the skin in the evening, before going to bed, and only after thorough cleaning in the shower.
Patient reviews report that ointments with benzyl benzoate in the composition help quickly. Alas, often patients stop using the drug. Having decided that a cure has occurred, people make a mistake: relapses of demodicosis are very common. For this reason, you should visit a dermatologist and undergo research - only after making sure that there are no ticks, therapy can be stopped. Often, after the first few uses of the ointment, the itching subsides, redness disappears. This is a deceitful remission. Most likely, there are still many parasites in the tissues, and long-term therapy will be required to completely get rid of them.