I just found out the tea tree oil I bought is only 15% tea tree. I called the company to inquire and told the c/s rep they need to change the description on the bottle... it's very misleading or unclear. Yes, I also saw that article from NIH by Googling , looking at what popped up. Excellent article, most informative one I've read so far. I guess these horrible mites can migrate anywhere . So disgustingt. I'm going to start changing my pillow case every day too. I need a shampoo that has more tea tree oil than what I'm using and get the 100% tea tree oil. Do you dilute your TTO and if so what carrier oil do you use.? Am trying to think of natural oils that are too smellie.

All of this sharing is so helpful! Thank you all! I find that most of the TTO products do not provide the percentage of TTO. I bought the 100% to add a few drops to my shampoo and conditioner. I want to be very cautious as everything I have read has cautioned to be sure TTO is mixed in what they call a “carrier oil” to prevent significant irritation. I use the Paul Mitchell products and have recently discovered that I can use on my eyelids and eyelashes without irritation. I have been really careful not to get any in my eyes. And now on the nose and ears…. I have finally found some literature documenting that the Demodex can be on face, scalp, in nose and in ears, neck, chest and shoulders. Some Demodex are found on other parts of the body. I do put TTO in my nose and ears and it seems to work pretty well. And I do use the Paul Mitchell shampoo as total body wash. What also amazes me is how little physicians know about Demodex. By far, my opthalmologist is the most knowledgeable. My dermatologist was dubious at first but I think now believes me and prescribed ivermectin and metronidazole. My PCP had never heard of Demodex. So, we do need to educate providers.

Hi… Sorry to hear about your current symptoms. I have days when I feel I am totally on top of these creatures and then the next day, I will feel them on my scalp, in and around my eyes and face!! As for your questions about adverse events… I had no adverse reactions ( and I do tend to have sensitive skin) to any of the products. I started w two rounds of oral Ivermectin while using TTO all over. Then I started topical ivermectin and metronidazole on my face and Xdemvy drops in my eyes amd Avenova for cleansing my eyelashes and kids. I also started total body washing w Paul Mitchell TTO shampoo and conditioner. I was clearly in full blitz mode as I would do anything to get rid of them. Once I seemed to be having no or close to no symptoms ( about 8 wks), I started removing one thing at a time…..I would go a week between eliminating each product. And over the last month or so I am only using Paul Mitchell shampoo and condition ( using shampoo as my total body soap). What products are you using? And do you think you can differentiate allergic itching from what I call the creepy crawly sensation ( which also itches). And I am increasingly mindful that my skin is getting drier, so I do have some itching from dry skin. I am just about at the one year mark dealing w all of this. I am not autoimmune. And my husband has not “caught” Demodex.

Cleanse your eyelids with baby shampoo each morning. I also have read the tea tree oil is effective in killing demodex mites.

It's one of the "go to" medications prescribed for this problem. I'd prefer to use natural products, so plan to investigate caraway oil soon. Yes, I have very dry eyes . My Xalatan eye drops for eye pressure are an irritant in itself for dryness. I use moisture drops all the time which I think contribute to blepharitis and mites- the lubricant . It started with the burning, itching eyes but then I noticed this past year constant new, tiny bumps and roughness on my face that I couldn't understand. So I started this journey and questioning from there. Itchy scalp too, but that is not anything new. So I think this overgrowth must have been a slow process over time. Have read is more predominant in the older population.

Sorry to hear what everyone is going through. Thanks to all of you for sharing as I believe we have learned so much from each other! I’m a retired nurse and even told my dermatologist that I would do a grand rounds ( wkly or monthly medical conferences) on Demodex infestation. The lack of awareness among clinicians is astonishing to me! Nevertheless, I did get the “grant” for one year of treatment to XDemvy. My ophthalmologist tried the first round of prescribing and was told I wasn’t eligible. For the second round I called Tarsus myself and applied and waited a cpl of weeks and got the grant. So after paying hundreds for the first round, I received the second round free. I had mixed reviews on XDemvy…. It doesn’t kill 100%….. it gets them under control. I am now using Paul Mitchell’s tea tree oil, even on my (closed eye) eyelashes and I seem to be maintaining “control” not eradication. I use the shampoo for daily shampoo and body wash and the hair and body conditioner for my hair and whole body after shower. They are not gone but definitely better. I am very interested in learning about the erythromycin ointment. Is that taking care of the Demodex? Thanks all!

Amazon has some of their products. I have also found them at CVS and Target! Glad you found them!

I just looked at all of my bottles and as you mentioned, the brand is Tea Tree Special. You will see “ distributed by John Paul Mitchell” at the bottom on back in finer print.
As for the XDemvy “grant”. The Carepoint Pharmacy processed this application on my behalf ( I worked through their customer service… I did not keep the name of the person who helped.). They applied to: Healthwell Foundation and the specific fund is the “Blepharitis Foundation”. The grant is for the year and covers specific medications; Xdemvy in my case. They reimburse co-pays only. There is a number for Healthwell “processing questions” 1-855-326-9533. My ophthalmologist initially contacted Carepoint and was told I was not eligible. I called the Carepoint Pharmacy to see if there was any assistance available and they put me on hold for about 15 minutes and said that I had qualified. I received paperwork and a pharmacy card w grant info for any pharmacy I use for the Xdemvy in the mail. I believe that Xdemvy is still only available at specialty pharmacy…. Not sure how many specialty pharmacies. Carepoint is the specialty pharmacy used by my ophthalmologist’s office. Hope this helps!

Demodex are not harmful. Once you have suppressed any excess overgrowth
on the eyelashes there is no need for further treatment.
If you over treat the irritation can be worse than the original symptoms.
Best to let your sensitive skin rest and heal.
Most of us have Demodex in our oily sebaceous glands living with us all of our lives. No need to try and kill them all. They are not found on our lower body areas. It may take time for you to rest and heal your skin so that you can tell that the problem is cleared. Much easier to use a sulfur or metronidazole gel applied to the skin if they recur. No need to expose yourself to oral Ivermectin or treat your body.

Well said. I have been dealing with demodex mites for four years with no long term relief. Couldn’t agree more that doctors need to educate themselves. And they need a change of attitude toward the patient who is living this nightmare.