Subcutaneous mite. Which procedures are prohibited and which are recommended?

Mite

The subcutaneous mite causes skin lesions in humans and animals - demodicosis. The mite settles in the hair follicles of the head, eyelashes and eyebrows, in the ducts and secretions of the sebaceous glands of the facial skin. A subcutaneous mite is a normal phenomenon, and for the time being it does not pose a danger, since it feeds on waste cells. But if the body’s defenses weaken, the mite begins to actively multiply, penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin and causes inflammation. According to the observations of researchers, women are more often affected by this disease.

FACT:

It is believed that more than 20% of people are carriers of demodicosis, but no clinical signs are detected.

Features of facial care

To protect the skin from aggressive external environmental influences and for a flawless appearance, you will need cleansing, toning and moisturizing with nutrition. Caring procedures are carried out at home in the morning and evening hours.

In the morning, the epidermis is cleansed and toned, then moisturized. Before going to bed, nourish the skin.

Application of a cosmetic product is impossible without the first two manipulations. During sleep, the sebaceous glands do not stop working; rubbing your face against the pillow leads to the accumulation of dust and microorganisms - the causes of inflammatory processes and acne when morning hygiene procedures are ignored.

The choice of skincare products is determined by the type of epidermis.

Signs of illness

In its manifestations, damage to the subcutaneous mite is very similar to rosacea or acne. Peeling of the skin and its redness are noted, itching may occur, constant or worsening after using tonics or washing with cold water. Sometimes there is a combination of demodicosis caused by subcutaneous mites and the above-mentioned skin diseases. And this is not surprising, because the occurrence of demodicosis is influenced by negative changes in the skin. Thus, both acne vulgaris and rosacea weaken the skin’s natural defenses. When affected by skin mites, the following parts of the face are most often affected: eyelids, forehead, chin, nasolabial folds and brow ridges. Exacerbations of demodicosis occur in autumn and spring.

Prevention methods

Experts say that 90% of the world's population are carriers of demodicosis or have clear manifestations of the disease. We can say with confidence that mites are present on almost everyone’s skin. The main task is to prevent it from multiplying and starting active life. To do this, you need to try in every possible way to maintain immunity and reduce the impact of adverse factors:

Prevention

• lead a healthy lifestyle;
• to refuse from bad habits;
• do not abuse alcohol;
• take hormonal medications in case of urgent need;
• Healthy food;
• limit the consumption of seasonings, spices, fried, fatty foods;
• minimize stay in stuffy, hot rooms, under direct sunlight - saunas, baths, sunbathing on the beach;
• maintain personal hygiene;
• prevent the chronic course of diseases;
• monitor the cleanliness of the skin of the face and head;
• maintain normal weight;
• do not get carried away with sweets, coffee, chocolate;
• take vitamin complexes;
• avoid physical fatigue and nervous exhaustion;
• excessive use of facial skin care products;
• avoid stressful situations.

To reduce the risk of infection, it is necessary to maintain personal hygiene, not use other people’s things, and avoid unnecessary close contact with other people - kissing, hugging.

On a note!

If a relative or family member has demodicosis, there is no need to panic. If there are no health problems, the immune system is strong, infection will not follow. But you need to follow the rules of hygiene, especially paying attention to the skin of the face and scalp.

Risk factors

As mentioned above, what is unpleasant is not the presence of a subcutaneous mite as such - in itself it cannot harm a healthy person - but demodicosis, which is caused by a mite. If the body is weakened and there are additional risk factors, the tick can settle in the skin for a long time and cause considerable mental and physical damage to its “breadwinner”. Risk factors include:

• dysfunction of the sebaceous glands, changes in the composition of sebum, vascular changes;
• some skin diseases (rosacea, acne, seborrhea);
• long-term use of hormonal corticosteroid ointments;
• adolescence;
• pregnancy;
• stress.

Unfortunately, non-specialists react with unacceptable ease to the appearance of acne on the face and body. The appearance of such problems is attributed to age and ordinary acne, which sooner or later should disappear on their own. We have to disappoint you: demodicosis caused by subcutaneous mites will not go away on its own. The disease can travel from one area of ​​the skin to another, existing for years and ruining the life of its “donor”.

IMPORTANT:

squeezing out acne when infected with a subcutaneous mite only leads to an exacerbation of the infection, since during this process the mites are pressed into healthy areas of the skin and infect them.
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Symptoms

Note the signs of ciliated mites:

• photophobia, eye fatigue;
• irritation and swelling in the area of ​​​​the eyelashes and eyelids;
• redness and inflammation of the eyelids;
• irritating effect from using cosmetics and hydrotherapy procedures;
• secretion of mucus from the eyes and its transformation into yellowish crusts, resulting in sticking and loss of eyelashes;
• dry epidermis on the eyelids;
• decreased vision.

Manifestations of eyelash mites

If your eyelashes itch at the base and there are other manifestations, it is advisable to immediately rush to see a doctor: an ophthalmologist or a dermatologist and an ophthalmologist, who will write out a referral for laboratory analysis. A scraping taken from the eyelashes will help determine the cause of the disease.

Treatment

Treatment of demodicosis caused by subcutaneous mites is a long and difficult process. Its complexity is that often this disease develops against the background of a decrease in the body’s defenses and has accompanying skin problems. Therapy tactics include suppressing the parasite, treating underlying diseases and increasing immunity.

The most commonly used local therapy is lotions and special ointments. In more severe cases, the doctor prescribes a course of antibiotics in combination with external therapy. Sometimes plasmapheresis procedures are recommended. In special cases, even surgical intervention is possible.

An important point in the course of treatment is diet. It is necessary to exclude hot, spicy and salty foods, foods rich in carbohydrates and fats from the diet. Those who are being treated for subcutaneous mite infestation are recommended to consume large amounts of fruits, vegetables, microelements, fiber, and dairy products. During treatment, you should not use face masks, especially those containing honey. You need to limit your exposure to the sun. You should also wait until better times to visit the bathhouse and sauna.

Preventive measures

Not only drug therapy along with traditional methods will help get rid of ticks; prevention is important. The aggressive reproduction of demodex will be prevented by taking effective preventive measures:

• compliance with hygiene rules, use of individual towels, cosmetics, washcloths;
• removing makeup before bed with warm water;
• balanced daily menu;
• regularity of visits to the ophthalmologist;
• timely treatment of diseases, especially infectious ones;
• avoidance of stressful situations;
• wearing glasses to protect your eyes from solar radiation;
• replacing feather pillows;

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• maintaining a daily routine - allocating enough time to sleep;
• normalization of metabolism to reduce the production of subcutaneous fat;
• minimum touching of eyelids and eyes with hands;
• alternating work and rest, which will increase immunity and reduce the risk of developing demodicosis.

Eyelash mite is a serious pathology. Only an integrated approach will solve the problem: drug therapy plus folk remedies when implementing preventive measures.

How to treat demodicosis of the eyelids

Due to the high probability of self-infection, patients must strictly observe sanitary and hygienic rules. To eliminate eye demodex, symptomatic and etiotropic therapy drugs are used. The former reduce the severity of local manifestations, and the latter destroy the causative agent of the disease and secondary infections.

It has been established that ticks are especially active when the temperature and humidity of the environment increase.

Before treating demodicosis of the eyelids with medications, consult a dermatologist. The treatment regimen is drawn up taking into account the symptoms of the pathology, the extent of the lesions and the presence of complications. In case of eye damage, ophthalmic drops and solutions are used to accelerate the regeneration of the conjunctiva.

Before treating demodectic blepharitis with antibiotics, make sure that there are pathogenic bacteria in the affected areas. This is indicated by purulent inflammation of the eyelids and sticky scales on the eyelids.

Medications

Treatment of demodex mites on eyelashes is carried out with anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, hormonal and antiprotozoal agents. The ocular form of the disease is treated with both systemic and local drugs - ophthalmic drops, ointments, gels. The following medications are used to kill mites on eyelashes:

• antiallergic (Clemastin, Zyrtec, Telfast) – eliminate swelling, redness and severe itching;
• antiprotozoal (Trichopol, Mistol, Metronidazole) – inhibit the reproduction of parasitic mites, thereby reducing inflammation and itching;
• eye drops (Tsipromed, Alcipro, Medociprin) – eliminate purulent-inflammatory processes in the meibomian glands and conjunctiva;
• antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin, Aknesept, Zerkalin) - destroy bacterial infections, which leads to a reduction in purulent inflammation of the skin.

Eye drops for demodicosis are first-line drugs that are used to kill microscopic mites. In case of inflammation of the conjunctiva, Physostigmine or Phosphacol are prescribed. To moisturize the mucous membranes, artificial tear preparations are used - Vidisik, Artelak, Quinax.

Care and diet

Eyelash mites feed on the secretion secreted by the sebaceous glands and dead skin cells. To prevent their reproduction, all foods that stimulate blood flow to the face and the release of natural fat are excluded from the menu:

• spices;
• natural coffe;
• spicy dishes;
• smoked sausages;
• conservation;
• egg white;
• citrus;
• cocoa.

To stop eyelash loss, your diet includes lactic acid products, vegetables and fruits with plant fiber - cabbage, apples, pears. They contain bioactive components that accelerate the regeneration of the skin around the eyes.

Particular attention is paid to hygienic care of damaged tissues. To prevent the proliferation of microscopic mites, you must:

• clean eyelids and eyelashes of dirt before using eye drops and ointments;
• wash with tar or laundry soap at least 3-4 times a day;
• use blepharolotion to cleanse eyelashes of sticky scales;
• Change the pillowcase on your pillow daily.

Demodex lives outside a living organism for a long time, so during therapy it is recommended to wet clean the room 3-4 times a week. To kill mites, aggressive disinfectants and Chlorhexidine are used.

Traditional methods

Treatment of demodicosis of the eyelids in humans with folk remedies is carried out only as an addition to drug therapy. Decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs have an acaricidal (destructive) effect on parasitic mites.

Treatment at home is carried out by the following means:

• Wormwood decoction. 10 g of chopped herbs are poured into 1 liter of water and boiled for several minutes. Soak gauze in the liquid and wipe the skin around the eyes 3-4 times a day. An antiseptic solution destroys ticks in humans, thereby reducing swelling and inflammation of the eyelids.
• Tansy tincture. 15 g of raw material is poured with 200 ml of vodka and left in a dark place for 7 days. Wipe the affected areas with the solution 2-3 times a day until the swelling completely disappears.
• Aloe solution. Mix equal amounts of boiled water with aloe juice. Gauze is moistened in the solution and applied to the eyelids 4-5 times a day.

Demodicosis of eyelashes is also treated with tincture of calendula, linden and nettle. The solution is gently applied to the skin in the eye area with a cotton swab 2-3 times a day. To reduce inflammation and itching, salicylic acid is added to the tincture. When treating damaged tissues, avoid contact of liquid with the conjunctiva of the eyes.

Clinical manifestations

Demodectic blepharitis is characterized by inflammation of the eyelids and mucous membranes of the eyes. Eyelashes are often involved in the pathological process, which is why they begin to fall out.

Demodicosis is characterized by seasonality, that is, the appearance of symptoms in the spring-summer period of the year.

Actively reproducing, the eye mite provokes the appearance of the following symptoms:

• itching and crawling sensation on the eyelids;
• inflammation of the affected skin;
• redness of the conjunctiva;
• purulent masses on eyelashes;
• feeling of sand in the eyes;
• frequent lacrimation.

Itching and rapid eye fatigue are the first signs of active reproduction of eyelash mites. At the initial stage of the disease, the skin of the eyelids becomes thinner, which leads to a feeling of tightness. When scratching, areas with bruises appear, which is why the symptoms of demodectic blepharitis become more pronounced. Bloody-purulent crusts form in the affected areas, causing discomfort.

Often demodicosis of the eyes is complicated by madarosis - loss of eyelashes. Due to the active life of the tick, a sluggish inflammation of the conjunctiva (blepharoconjunctivitis) occurs. If left untreated, secondary infections penetrate into the lesions, causing purulent inflammation of the soft tissues.