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Anyone else dealing with Demodex Mites? What helps?
Four years ago, with no history of any skin issues, I developed overnight red, pustules and papules on my eyebrows. Over the four years, I’ve gone to three dermatology groups known to be selected by other healthcare professionals, and have seen a total of seven practitioners. They have said it’s rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, or actinic keratosis. I’ve been prescribed expensive new topicals, two different antibiotic courses, etc. Each visit I hear, “Well, you can try this.”
I’m an RN, and I know my body. I keep telling each dermatologist that I believe it could be an infestation or overpopulation of demodex; demodex reproduce at night on your skin (they live in hair follicles) and most evenings my eyebrows begin to itch about the time it’s getting dark. With needle-tipped tweezers, I can pull white cyndrically-shaped mucous-type material attached to a hair follicle. None of the practitioners have followed guidance from an article on the NIH website for ensuring there is a skin scraping or other method to obtain a demodex count. None has acknowledged the damaging effects on self image that abound in the literature for rosacea, with which demodex is associated. This post is in no way to disparage dermatologists in general, but I clearly don’t fit the mold of the repetitive frequently seen five minute visits to which they may be accustomed. Has anyone experienced an overpopulation of demodex? How was it diagnosed and treated? Thank you.
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I am glad you asked that question. I am astonished to see evidence that these disgusting critters are very, very mobile and if alive , in the trash where they are tossed after face cleaning for example, can migrate to someplace else.
Is anyone else seeing this? No one has mentioned this before in any posts that I saw. Maybe I have some rogue varity that moves a lot faster than the 8-16 cm per hour that I read about in one of the collection of reports I have. I am using a lot more Chlorox bleach than ever. I'd like to hear what others are experiencing and how they are cleaning.
Help wanted:
I want to reach out to everyone on oil free lotion. The last one I bought the mites loved too. My legs are so dry , very dry normally anyway, they actually burn . I need something that can hydrate my skin and so far have found nothing . My hands are a wreck with all the washing and drying treatment preparations. I try to remember to put cream on them in the day but make sure I clean it off before I go to bed.
I too have very dry skin (in fact have wondered why the Demodex thrive in dry skin if it is the sebum they thrive one!). I am using the John Paul Mitchell “Tea Tree Special” products and have amazingly discovered that my skin and hair are not dry. With daily washing I was afraid my skin would get very dry but it hasn’t. I use the shampoo for my head and body wash and then use “leave in hair-conditioner/body” as my hair conditioner and body lotion. I also apply it to my face before bed and a couple of times a day. Over the past month or so, I have added additional 100% TTO ( half tsp to 10 oz) to make it stronger. And based on recent updates re lemongrass oil, I have added the same amount to the shampoo and conditioner. You can find these products in Walgreens, CVS, Target. I did order the Leave in hair condition/body lotion on Amazon. And while I have adjusted my goal from Demodex elimination to control, I am in the best control in over a year.
I asked Gemini, the new AI, and learned this:
"Demodex mites are resourceful feeders. While they primarily target sebum, they can also consume:
* Dead skin cells: Even with dry skin, there's always some natural shedding of skin cells. Demodex can subsist on these.
* Bacteria that live on the skin: These bacteria can break down sebum and skin cells into a more easily digestible form for the mites.
However, an overall lack of sebum due to dry skin may not support a large Demodex population. If you're concerned about Demodex mites, consult a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment."
Of course we already know how dermatologists aren't particularly helpful. That's why we're on this site and consulting artificial intelligence.
I think I found the one you are referring to; I really don't like that overly strong minty scent, but I'll give it a try. Thanks
I have found that the lemongrass oil added to the Tea Tree Special products cuts the intensity of the TTO and peppermint…..
At this point I was self diagnosed. My original Dx was from a Dermatologist.
He put me on oral Tetracycline, topical Metranidazole and topical Aclometazone⁴. This worked well for 30 years. I was able to stop the oral med in the first year. Then the last ten I barely used anything. My skin was beautiful.
I have suffered from numerous Urinary Tract Infections. This past year I was hospitalized 3 times with Uro sepsis . The last time for almost a month and a half on IV and oral antibiotics.
I came home
Was fine at first. Next thing I know my hair, my ears, my eyes, everywhere I had this gritty sandy residue. Upon much research I learned about a phenomenon called a Demadex Proliferation.
it blooms out of control.
As of now it is uncontrolled
YM
Sorry to hear! You are in good company on this site. There is a lot of helpful info on this site. And some very helpful people! Lots of frustrations w clinicians. Ophthalmologists seem to be the most helpful. Best advice in my humble opinion is on this site!