If you feel that your scalp has a scaly texture, itching, or a burning sensation, chances are you may have an infestation of Demodex mites. Also known as eyelash mites, these bugs are ubiquitous and are very common. Learn about your treatment options to ditch the itch in your scalp caused by these very tiny bugs.
A doctor may recommend treatment with creams such as crotamiton or permethrin. These are topical insecticides that can kill mites and so reduce their numbers. The doctor may also prescribe topical or oral metronidazole, which is an antibiotic medication.
The Demodex mite is an eight-legged (an arachnid) ectoparasite (living on the surface of the host) that can reside in our hair follicles and sebaceous glands.
While folliculorum tend to stay on the face, D. brevis can distribute all over the body. The chest and neck are common areas of D. brevis infestation, so you might notice more symptoms there if you have it.
Oily skin can lead to D. brevis because the mites feed off the oils under hair follicles. Age also increases the prevalence of both kinds of demodex mites.
"Demodex mites live on our skin and are especially prominent in areas where we have a lot of oil like the face or the middle of the chest." Even worse, said mites thrive in unsanitary environments, like Xu's dirty pillowcase.
OVANTE Demodex Control Shampoo for Humans | Extra Strength - 6.0 oz.
Demodex mites have mouthparts designed to consume skin cells, oil, and hormones found in your hair follicles.
At high concentrations, tea tree oil is a potent killer of Demodex mites. The problem is that solutions of 100% tea oil, or other high concentrations, are very irritating to the eye. So one approach is to thoroughly wipe the eyelashes and eyebrows with a diluted solution of tea tree oil, from 5% to 50%.
The 2 most widely used treatments for scabies are permethrin cream and malathion lotion (brand name Derbac M). Both medications contain insecticides that kill the scabies mite. Permethrin 5% cream is usually recommended as the first treatment. Malathion 0.5% lotion is used if permethrin is ineffective.
The most common treatment of Demodex infestations is metronidazole.
Individuals who tie a tight ponytail may suffer from this type of alopecia. If left untreated, longstanding traction can cause permanent damage to the follicles and everlasting hair loss. However, the hair can return with timely action in most cases.
Demodex Mites and Androgenic Alopecia
A chemical produced by demodex mites may cause an inflammatory reaction that affects the hair follicles. Demodex mites won't be the cause of androgenetic alopecia itself, but the mites can make the condition worse. Androgenic hair loss is inherited / genetic.
In mild cases, at-home treatments such as Cliradex, SteriLid (TheraTears), Blephadex (Lunovus) and Ocusoft scrubs BID are sufficient to decrease the Demodex population. These products are available over the counter. A patient whose lid margins display Demodex infestation at the base of the lashes.
Demodex spp., the follicle (or blackhead) mites have an elongated body adapted for its life in hair follicles and sebaceous glands on the face, commonly around the nose, on the cheeks or eyelashes.
Face mites are microscopic organisms living in your facial hair follicles. They feed on dead skin and oil. They typically cause no symptoms unless the overgrow (demodicosis).
It has a 14-day life cycle[6] [Figure 2]. The total lifespan of a Demodex mite is several weeks. The dead mites decompose inside the hair follicles or sebaceous glands.
Head Lice. These tiny insects can live in your hair and drink blood from your scalp. They're generally not dangerous, just itchy and contagious. They're common in elementary school kids.
Many clinicians may treat Demodex blepharitis with antibiotic or baby shampoo, with no success. A tea tree oil product is the most effective treatment.
Tea tree oil is typically applied topically to the eyelid in the form of a scrub via eyelid wipes or foam when attempting to fight ocular Demodex infestations (Cheng 2015), but it should never be taken orally because it is highly toxic if ingested (Hammer 2006).
The mite, Demodex follicularum, spends its entire lifetime living in our skin follicles. In the daytime they feed on our oily skin secretions, at night they leave the pore to find mates, and find new follicles in which to have sex and lay their eggs.
One of the best ways to get rid of dust mites is to wash all of your bedding—including sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and duvet covers—on a hot cycle of at least 130 degrees. If your bedding does not permit a hot wash, you can also place them in the dryer for 15 minutes at 130 degrees.
No, demodectic mange is not contagious to other animals or humans. Demodex mites are transmitted to puppies from their mother during the first few days of life.
If you feel that your scalp has a scaly texture, itching, or a burning sensation, chances are you may have an infestation of Demodex mites. Also known as eyelash mites, these bugs are ubiquitous and are very common.