For the first time, an insect with the loud name Demodex folliculorum was found in the human ear. The existence of this tick was discovered by a French dermatologist back in 1841. A year later, the insect was found in human hair. After some time, doctors were horrified to find a parasite in human skin that multiplied productively there, causing damage to human he alth.
Later, in the Soviet Union, with deeper research, this type of tick began to be divided into two types.
Description of the causative agent
The Demodex mite is a pathogenic parasite. In total, 65 species of this insect are distinguished. Only 10 of them can parasitize in the human body, but this is already a large number, along with other diseases, pathologies that determine the life and internal state of the human body. The remaining 55 speciesDemodex parasites multiply and live 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 location on the human body. Periods of tick activity occur at night - daylight is unbearable for them. This species parasitizes in the sebaceous glands, feeding on their products, as well as the nutrients necessary for he althy skin. The most common are two types of this mite: Demodex brevis, which prefers to multiply and parasitize on human skin, and Demodex folliculorum, an inhabitant of human hair follicles.
These mites get out 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 brings many microorganisms, bacteria and harmful substances that are dangerous to he alth.
Dermatologists have found that the presence of a tick in the body is not dangerous until its number crosses a certain barrier. If there are less than 4 mites per follicle in the human body, then this does not affect human he alth in any way. This species can be found in 97% of the world's population. The tick becomes destructive if the number of these parasites exceeds the above figures.
Popularly, these parasites are called iron mites. The disease that these parasites provoke is called demodicosis.
Signs: when to sound the alarm?
Signs of the disease are reflected in the appearance of a person, bringing discomfort not only to his life, but also traumatizing the patient's psyche. A person may develop an inferiority complex. The primary symptom of demodicosis is reddening of the skin, and then the appearance of acne and ulcerative rash on it. The disease spreads throughout the body, focusing on the face, back, less often in the groin. The main foci of the rash are the nasolabial folds, forehead, cheekbones, back, area near the nose, chin. Places covered with a rash turn red, itchy and flaky. They also have a greasy sheen. As the disease progresses, the symptoms worsen. It becomes noticeable vasodilation, severe redness and enlargement of the nose. Not only the skin of the face suffers, but also the eyes, scalp and hair itself. A purulent liquid begins to stand out from the eyes, the eyelashes become thinner. The disease is accompanied by seborrhea and hair loss.
Causes of disease
Demodectic mange can appear for various reasons. This is due to the fact 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 a disease. But if demodicosis is diagnosed, treatment in people takes a long time. No one is immune from re-infection if once he has already got rid of the parasite.
Perhaps the most important cause of infection is a weakened immune system. This can be affected by various processes in the body: diseases of the gastrointestinalpath, cardiovascular and endocrine systems, stress and anxiety, as well as the postoperative period. All these reasons can be attributed to internal factors.
The external environment includes polluted environment: dust, exposure to chemicals. The cause of the disease can be adverse conditions at work, which also includes the impact of various substances on the human body. Hormonal preparations, bad cosmetics, dirt, detergents make their contribution. Along with food, various biological additives and preservatives enter the body, which can also provoke illness.
If a person carried this parasite in his body for a long time and it did not manifest itself in any way, it means that the 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 identify a disease in a person, doctors do a scraping using a scalpel or an eye spoon. The contents of the follicle, which is obtained by extrusion, are also taken as material for analysis.
There are cases when a suspicion of demodicosis of the eyelids may appear right in the ophthalmologist's office. In this case, the doctor is obliged to inform the patient what procedures need to be done for analysis. As a rule, doctors recommend 2-3 days before the delivery of materials not to perform cosmetic and hygiene procedures on the eyelids. During this time, at the base of the eyelashes accumulates enoughmite waste products.
How to protect yourself from getting sick?
Unfortunately, demodicosis is transmitted to a person through direct contact with the patient. It also happens that a person, due to fuzzy adherence to the doctor's instructions, caused a relapse of the disease. It is important to follow the rules so as not to endanger either your own he alth or the he alth of loved ones. So, if the diagnosis is demodicosis, treatment in humans 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: keep clean, wash 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 should be treated with alcohol.
7. A patient with demodicosis is strictly forbidden to visit solariums, baths, sunbathing. Of course, such restrictions can deprive a person of pleasant moments in life, but it is better to get rid of the disease in time than to treat it again later.
The Path to Liberation
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 efforts. Treatment of demodicosis in humans is carried out comprehensively and consists of three stages:
1. Destruction of the causative agent of the disease
2. Eliminate the very cause of the disease
3. Deliverancefrom the consequences of the life of the tick.
Treatment of demodicosis in humans includes taking various drugs: medicines that restore immunity, ointments, emulsions, drugs that reduce an allergic reaction.
Separate sections
Demodicosis is one of the most dangerous diseases of the skin and the whole organism. Treatment in humans requires a special approach. Starting to progress in one area, the tick spreads throughout the body. A classic example is demodicosis of the face in humans. Treatment is prescribed, as a rule, complex. For example, the treatment of demodicosis of the eyelids in humans includes compliance with certain rules. This is the rejection of lenses, the use of various topical drugs: amitrazol, tar, drugs to block the muscles of the parasite. Treatment of demodicosis on the face of a person largely coincides with the treatment of manifestations of a tick on the eyelids. The drugs used are the same. Treatment of demodicosis of the eyelids in humans is carried out with great care. After all, vision depends on it.
In a separate subcategory of the disease, demodicosis of the eyelids in humans is distinguished. Symptoms, treatment require special attention.
Signs of eyelid disease 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 falling out.
Demodicosis of the eyelids can spread to the eyes, in which case complications and new symptoms appear:
- The eyes become more sensitive to light.
- Eyesblush.
- Sticky discharge.
- The incidence of barley is increasing.
- Dry eyes.
- Vision worsens.
Starting to treat demodicosis of the eyelids in a person, an ophthalmologist must 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. Demodicosis of the eyelids in a person is able to disappear if treatment with folk remedies is applied. At the very least, it may help the therapy prescribed by a specialist.
Besides traditional methods, there are other ways to cure eyelid demodicosis in humans. Treatment with folk remedies is becoming popular among modern people.
Folk remedies for getting rid of eyelid demodicosis
Many people know about the beneficial properties of wormwood. Traditional medicine widely uses this plant in the treatment of various diseases, and quite effectively. Also, with the help of wormwood, demodicosis of the eyelids can also be cured:
Wormwood is brewed in a glass of boiling water. This container requires two tablespoons. Then this decoction is applied to the eyelids and kept for 15 minutes.
Oak bark is also used in the treatment of demodicosis of the eyelids.
A teaspoon of this remedy is boiled in 200 milliliters of water, filtered, and then swabs soaked in decoction are applied to the eyelids for half an hour. It is important to change compresses periodically.
Treatment of eye demodicosis in humans is also possible with the help of folk recipes. To do this, use a decoctioncalendula, tansy flowers and other gifts of nature. Traditional medicine is famous for its effectiveness, and most importantly, the naturalness of drugs. However, do not neglect the advice of experts. 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 eye in humans. Treatment, testimonials about it indicate that 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 human face, 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 visible symptoms disappear quickly enough, especially if the disease is not advanced. But at the same time, 50% of patients complain of a recurrence of the disease.
It is important to understand that any parasite, leaving its waste products, can reappear if you do not carefully follow all the instructions of doctors.
Demodicosis 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 ofefforts.
Use ointments, anti-allergic agents, as the tick can cause complications and allergic reactions. The auricles are treated with the same ointments as the skin of the face: benzyl benzoate, trichopolum, metronidazole, as well as ointments based on sulfur and tar.
On the shelves of pharmacies you can see a drug such as amitrazine. Treatment for demodicosis in humans includes the use of 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 lesions. An adverse reaction may be slight itching and burning.
Folk methods
In general, there are many remedies that help get rid of a tick at home. All these substances are available and the recipes are easy to prepare.
Folk remedies are also good for disease prevention. These include tar and laundry soap. They can be washed every day, as they have bactericidal properties. In addition, a foam emulsion can be prepared from laundry soap and applied to the face in the form of a mask. The emulsion lasts for some time before drying, and then washed off.
Chicken egg is also used to get rid of the disease. To do this, a homemade egg needs to be poured with vinegar and left in a dark place under a lid for a week. After this period, the vinegar essence is drained, and the egg itself is ground to a homogeneous mass. This composition must be applied already on the affected skin.
To relieve the symptoms of demodicosis, a mixture ofgarlic paste and olive oil. This composition helps to reduce the activity of ticks, destroy their waste products, and at the same time relieve pain.
Demodectic mange is a serious disease that can cause negative consequences and he alth problems. Treatment of demodicosis in people takes a lot of time, effort and is not always effective the first time. Many patients complain that after some time after a successful treatment, the symptoms of this disease appeared again and again.
