Demo – what is it? Causes, symptoms and treatment of Demodex infection

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Demodicosis is a parasite that causes a disease called demodicosis. Unfortunately, it is very common because most adults are carriers. Demodicosis is very often misdiagnosed, confused with other skin conditions, or even considered an allergic reaction to the skin. So how do you know if you are attacked by Demodex and can you cure demodicosis?

What is Demodex?

Demodex is an invertebrate mite. There are two types of it in the human body – Demodex and Demodex. Their food is epithelial cells, the secretion produced by the sebaceous glands and lipids. Parasites are most common around the eyebrows, eyelashes, lips, mouth and hairy skin.

There are 30 species of mites, and Demodex is one of them. Its size is approximately 0,4 mm in length, so it is difficult to see it with the naked eye. Usually the males of Demodex are smaller than the females. The parasite can be white or yellow in color. It consists of a longer, wider and transversely striated part, which is longer than the previous two.

The female and male Demodex mate on the surface of the skin – this is when the life process of the parasite begins. In one hair follicle, the female can lay about 25-30 eggs. The breeding period lasts about 4 weeks and consists of three development phases. Initially, Demodex is a larva, then a nymph, and finally an adult. The parasite has four pairs of clawed legs and moves between 8 and 16 mm per day.

Also read: 5 dangerous parasites

Demodex – causes

Demodicosis is a chronic parasitic disease caused by Demodex. You can get sick especially when basic hygiene is not followed or as a result of contact with an infected person. The parasite also spreads on items such as toiletries. You can get infected with demodicosis, for example, at the hairdresser, beautician or in commercial drugstores by the touch of contaminated cosmetics testers.

Demodex lays eggs that spread almost everywhere. They can be, for example, in dust, electricity or air. You can catch it not only directly from a sick person, but even by staying in the same room with them. However, only people who are at increased risk of suffering from demodicosis, such as allergy sufferers, people over 70, people with endocrine or lipid disorders, and people living under chronic stress.

The doctor replies: What are home treatments for Demodex?

Demodex – symptoms

At the first stage, the Demodex infection is mild and imperceptible. Many infected confuse this condition with an allergy. The initial symptom is mild itching, burning in the eyelids, reddening of the eyes, and general discomfort. Demodex causes inflammation of the hair follicle or the sebaceous gland – this causes sebum to ooze and causes fever, inflammation and an abscess. The more sensitive you are, the stronger the penetration of Demodex into the skin.

Lumps and pimples that look like acne lesions may appear on the skin of a person suffering from demodicosisbut demodicosis can run in parallel with acne vulgaris and rosacea. Some infected people develop closed and open blackheads, or blackheads. Particularly dangerous symptoms of demodicosis are eye ailments, e.g. eyelid inflammation, allergic inflammation of the eye surface or dry eye syndrome.

Demodex – diagnostics

The test for the presence of Demodex is worth doing when there are skin problems. The test is performed by a microbiologist who gives the patient the result after just 10 minutes. To conduct them, it is necessary to collect material such as scrapings from the epidermis, eyebrows, eyelashes or other place where the parasite lives. When it turns out that the result is positive, it is also worth using other tests and, for example, consulting an ophthalmologist.

Before starting the test, you should abandon the use of cosmetics such as creams, ointments, mascaras and self-tanners. Ladies should refrain from applying mascara. You should also give up care products for the forehead, chin, lips, eyelashes, eyebrows, and before the examination, the face should be washed only with water.

Find out more: Examination for parasites – from blood, feces, in a child

Demodicosis – treatment and prevention

Treatment of demodicosis is difficult due to the fact that the parasite cannot be removed from the skin surface. It is necessary to heal the changes caused by it – the pharmacotherapy process may take up to several months and requires a lot of commitment from the patient. Moreover, in many cases it takes a few years for the patient to notice that he is infected.

The treatment of demodicosis, also called demodecosis, consists mainly in the use of external preparations. However, the effectiveness of this method is limited as many Demodex individuals are found near the sebaceous glands and hair capsules. It is also worth adding that Demodex is at a different stage of development – some are larvae, others are nymphs or already adult individuals. Therefore, in order to prevent the larvae from re-breeding, all Demodex mites must be eliminated.

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Contrary to appearances, the use of antiseptics does not fully guarantee the removal of Demodex. The parasite is resistant to most of these preparations, including steroids. The most popular drugs used during treatment are i.a. 1-2% mercury ointment, 2% metronidazole ointment, 5% permethrin cream. A popular natural remedy is 20% tea oil. Antifungal drugs, antibiotics and sulfacetamide are also used to treat Demodex.

At Medonet Market you will find Odexim cosmetics intended strictly to fight Demodex. The STOP Demodex series offered by Natural Medicine is also available. In the series you will find cosmetics for comprehensive hair, face and body care:

1. 9in1 face cream,
2. Eyelid gel,
3. Finish Control face gel for stains, scars and discoloration,
4. Face and eyelid tonic,
5. Soap for face and body,
6. Face and body lotion,
7. Shampoo.

People infected with Demodex, regardless of whether it is due to dermatological or ophthalmic problems, should often take baths in very warm water – provided that there are no contraindications for this. The use of the sauna will also be helpful in treatment, because Demodex mites die at temperatures above 54 degrees Celsius. In order to protect yourself from the infection in question, you should take proper care of your personal hygiene, do not use someone else’s make-up cosmetics and other personal items.