Demodectic Mange - What Is It? First Signs, Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 02:10

Demodectic mange: causes, symptoms and treatment

Skin diseases most often give a person exclusively cosmetological discomfort. They rarely pose a serious threat to life. Demodecosis belongs to such diseases. Any parts of the body that have sebaceous glands can be affected by this pathology. In this case, the internal organs will not be affected by the infection. Despite the fact that demodicosis is not a threat to life, it must be treated immediately after detection.

The disease negatively affects a person's appearance, as a result of which his self-esteem decreases. He begins to hide from people, becomes nervous and quick-tempered. To cope with the disease, you need to see a doctor, confirm the diagnosis and undergo the prescribed therapy.

Content:

• What is demodicosis?
• Who is the causative agent of demodicosis?
• Who can get Demodectic mange?
• The first signs of demodicosis
• Symptoms of demodicosis
• Diagnosis of demodicosis
• Treatment of demodicosis
• How to get rid of demodicosis in 4 days?
• Forecast

What is demodicosis?

Demodectic mange is a skin lesion with a microscopic mite. This mite is called Demodex. The demodex mite lives in the sebaceous glands, in the hair follicles, for this reason, the places of its distribution are the eyelids, facial skin, the region of the eyebrows, forehead, nasolabial folds and chin, external auditory canal. Areas with abundant sebum secretion are most favorable for ticks. In the body of a healthy person, demodex mites can also live - in the skin, feeding on dead cells. However, in order to penetrate into the deep layers, they need to wait for the weakening of immunity, after which they cause an inflammatory process.

Demodectic mange is very similar to rosacea and acne in its manifestations. Very often these diseases are combined, because acne and rosacea suppress the natural defenses of the skin.

About 97% of people suffer from this parasite. It was this percentage that was allocated by Chinese scientists in a study in which more than a million people of different ages, nationalities, occupations and strata of society took part. The study took about fifty years on average.

By their naivety, people do not even assume about such a neighborhood, although there is a malfunction in the body, and the ticks "attack".

Men suffer from demodicosis two times less often than women, and women with white, delicate skin. The reason for the development of this disease may be: a malfunction of the endocrine and digestive systems, stress, decreased immunity, and sometimes the use of expensive cosmetics with hormonal or other biological additives. A peaceful life with a tick can be disturbed by excessive consumption of black coffee, alcohol, hot spices, prolonged stay at the computer, frequent visits to the bathhouse or solarium.

If there was an opportunity to look into the hair follicles from which the hair grows, or into the globules of the sebaceous glands located right there, then one could see small colorless, bristled "worms". This is exactly what ticks from the Demodex family look like.

The mite is very easily detected in the laboratory, carried out directly in the presence of the patient in the office. To do this, take 8 cilia from each eye - four from the upper eyelid, the same amount from the lower. These cilia are placed on a glass slide by dropping an alkaline solution or a mixture of 1 ml of glycerin and 9 ml of saline. Next, cover with a blanket and examine the cilia under a microscope.

Who is the causative agent of demodicosis?

Demodectic mange provokes a tick. This microscopic organism is called Demodex folliculorum / brevis (D. folliculorum / brevis). The mite parasitizes in the sebaceous glands of a person, in which there are conditions favorable for its reproduction. From animals, a person cannot become infected with a tick, it is transmitted only among the human population. Ticks live on the skin of dogs and cats, but they cannot exist on the human body.

The tick has sufficient mobility for a microscopic organism. It can move at a speed of 13-18 mm / hour. It is not difficult for him to move on the skin and conquer new "habitats". Moreover, ticks migrate all the time and in large quantities, but it is impossible to notice their movements without a microscope. Therefore, it is very easy to become infected with demodicosis, it is enough to use the household items of an infected person or to closely contact him. The tick will quickly find itself a sebaceous gland and master it. He will exist in it until the patient receives treatment.

The mite can settle on the eyelids, in the armpits, in the perineum, that is, in those areas of the dermis where there are sebaceous glands. Therefore, the characteristic symptoms of infection will appear in the indicated places. The optimum temperature for the existence of a tick is 37-40 ° C. It actively increases its numbers in hot climates and in warm rooms. In such conditions, demodicosis is manifested especially intensively.

Who can get Demodectic mange?

As statistics show, by the age of 30, about 60% of the population is infected with a tick. In this case, the symptoms of the disease will appear only in some individuals. The parasite is activated when a person's immune system fails. Tick infestation does not lead to allergies or tissue damage if the body inhibits its activity.

In people whose immune system is weakened, or there is a genetic tendency to hypersensitive reactions, demodicosis will manifest with characteristic symptoms.

The following categories of citizens are at risk:

• People with immunodeficiency disorders, for example, with diabetes mellitus, HIV, tuberculosis, cancer.
• People whose close relatives are infected with a tick and suffer from severe symptoms of pathology.
• People who are regularly exposed to stressors.
• People prone to allergic reactions.
• People working in hazardous enterprises.

In such patients, demodicosis is manifested clearly.

The first signs of demodicosis

• acne, youthful acne, rash, pink acne, pustules, ulcers, etc., appearing on the face, may indicate the presence of demodicosis. When neglected, these pimples cover the skin of the back, chest and thighs;
• red spots on the face;
• very oily skin and enlarged pores. Areas affected by demodicosis look moist, greasy, and have a characteristic shine. The skin on the nose and cheeks is especially affected;
• the skin of the face is bumpy. Rough "scar" tissue and many small clots of calcium form inside the skin, and this gives an unhealthy complexion and bumpy skin;
• the nose increases in size, it happens that quite strongly: the nose becomes like a large blue-red plum (rhinophyma);
• a feeling of crawling, slight tickling and itching. Very often people do not pay attention to tickling at all, but scratch themselves automatically. In the evening, the itching becomes stronger and continues to bother throughout the night. This indicates the most active vital activity of ticks and the time of their mating.
• the scalp is itchy, hair loss occurs. Early baldness can also indicate the active activity of the demodex mite;
• itchy eyelashes. Loss of eyelashes is also most often the result of the vital activity of the demodectic mite, which lives in the roots of the eyelashes. At the base, the eyelashes begin to itch, the eyelashes become thinner and fall out;
• itchy ears

Symptoms of demodicosis

Almost any area of the skin, with the exception of the feet and palms, can become infected. Eyelid demodicosis can cause severe eye allergies, which increases the symptoms of the lesion. This disease is called ophthalmodemodecosis.

Risk factors that can lead to an intensification of the disease:

• Temperature changes. Therefore, demodicosis often makes itself felt in autumn and spring.
• Weakening of the body's immune forces. This happens as a result of the influence of stress factors, chronic diseases, the use of hormonal steroid drugs, etc.
• Violation of the rules of personal hygiene. In this case, the sebaceous glands are clogged, which becomes the reason for the active reproduction of the tick.
• Alcohol abuse, smoking.

Symptoms appear primarily in areas of the body where there is a large accumulation of parasites. The localization of ticks can be the body, eyelids and eyes.

Lesion of the skin

The blockage of the sebaceous gland cannot be asymptomatic. Often, signs of demodicosis appear on the face, back and in the armpits (or popliteal fossa). In these areas of the body, the maximum number of parasites accumulates.

Symptom	Causes of occurrence	External changes
Redness of the affected area	Fat stagnates in the gland, and mites provoke an inflammatory reaction. A thickening of the skin appears due to the fact that neutrophils (immune cells) arrive at the site of inflammation.	In the area inhabited by the tick, red spots appear that have an irregular shape. The more active the pathological process, the larger the spots will be. As they merge, one large spot is formed.
Consolidation of the dermis		The lump is in the area of inflammation and can be palpated.
Itchy skin		Itching worsens when in warm rooms, in the heat, if the rules of hygiene are not followed. On an ongoing basis, he does not bother a person.
The appearance of nodules or bubbles	The exit of the sebaceous gland is clogged with parasites, so the fat will have nowhere to go. It accumulates in the duct of the gland, due to which a bubble forms.	The nodules are represented by dense formations that are small in size. They rise slightly above the surface of the dermis. Bubbles look the same as nodules, but they are denser and more elastic in consistency. Their contents are visible through the skin, which can be transparent or yellow. Less commonly, these nodules are reddish in color.
Peeling skin	A chronic focus of inflammation leads to the fact that the horny scales of the dermis begin to flake off faster.	There are many scales, their size is 1-2 mm. Some of them stick to the skin, while others fall off when scratched.

After a person has the first symptoms of demodicosis, he becomes dangerous to the people around him. The tick is transmitted even with normal touch. However, the presence of a parasite in the sebaceous gland does not always lead to the development of the disease. For its symptoms to appear, provoking factors must act on the body.

Symptoms of blockage of the meibomian glands

Blockage of the meibomian glands by parasites is called blepharitis.

Symptoms of blepharitis against the background of demodicosis are:

• Redness.
• Peeling skin.
• Consolidation of the eyelid and the formation of a crust on it. If you try to remove it, the person will experience pain.
• The appearance of white growths on the eyelashes, the so-called "muffs". They are represented by exfoliating skin.

If the tick accumulates in significant quantities in the upper part of the face, then the likelihood of damage to the organs of vision increases. Although this does not threaten serious consequences, it gives a person some discomfort.

Eye damage (ophthalmodemodecosis)

Mites have the ability not only to clog sebaceous ducts, but also to provoke allergies. Most often it occurs locally, without leading to such severe pathologies as Quincke's edema or urticaria. However, tissues located near the site of infection can be damaged. For this reason, a person develops ophthalmodemodectic mange.

Symptoms of the disorder appear several weeks after the development of blepharitis or cutaneous demodicosis. By this time, the body produces antibodies that are responsible for the development of allergies.

Eye symptoms will be as follows:

• Redness of the eyes, overgrowth of the capillary network on the conjunctiva.
• Increased eye fatigue, feeling that sand has been poured into them.
• Itchy eyes. To reduce discomfort, a person often rubs them with his hands, but this does not bring noticeable relief.
• Swelling of the eyelids, their severity. After sleeping, it is difficult for the patient to open his eyes wide. The appearance of the eyes changes.
• Excessive dryness of the conjunctiva.

To get rid of the symptoms that have arisen, treatment is needed. Its timely start allows you to fully cope with the existing problem.

Diagnosis of demodicosis

To confirm the diagnosis, you will need to donate blood for a general analysis, as well as skin particles for examination under a microscope. It is inappropriate to use other diagnostic methods, they will not give additional information.

Changes in the blood picture with demodicosis:

Constituent unit of blood	Indicators of the norm	Indicators of the disease
ESR	For women, a variant of the norm is ESR up to 16 mm / sec, and for men - up to 11 mm / sec.	Values rise
Leukocytes	4-9.1 * 109 / l	Increase by 1-2 points
Neutrophils	2.0-5.4 * 109 / L
Eosinophils	Up to 0.3 * 109 / l	Increase many times
Basophils	Up to 0.65 / 109 / l

Microscopic examination of tissue or other materials will be required to confirm the diagnosis. The mite can be found in the contents of the vesicles, in the skin, in the horny scales, in the fat secreted from the glands or in the eyelashes.

To identify the tick, the collected material is treated with gasoline, glycerin or cyanoacrylate. This allows the tick to be detected. The diagnosis takes 1-2 days.

Treatment of demodicosis

To cope with demodicosis, you need to make adjustments to your lifestyle. Without this, the treatment will be ineffective. Symptoms will periodically remind of themselves.

Recommendations for patients with demodicosis:

• Increased immunity. To do this, it is necessary to eliminate those factors that negatively affect the body's defenses: stress, overwork, chronic diseases, etc. Sometimes it happens that it is not possible to completely get rid of them, for example, when it comes to severe chronic pathologies (HIV, sugar diabetes, cancers). In such situations, you need to see a doctor. The doctor will prescribe a treatment that will allow you to achieve a stable remission.
• Compliance with the rules of hygiene. Cosmetics, dust, etc. can clog the sebaceous glands. Therefore, you need to regularly take care of your skin, use gels, masks, foams, tonics, etc.
• Give up bad habits, from drinking and smoking.
• Do not go to places where the air temperature is too high, for example, saunas, baths.

To cope with the symptoms of demodicosis, you need to use drugs. Acaricides destroy the mite, antiseptics disinfect the surface of the skin, and vitamin A promotes its regeneration. If eye inflammation develops, special drops and ointments should be used.

Place of impact	Drugs	How drugs work
	The drugs are harmful for parasites, they destroy adults, but the eggs remain viable.
	Antiseptics - Acerbin, Argosulfan, Betadine, Hexicon	The preparations cleanse the skin of pathogenic flora. They are used to prevent secondary infection.
	Vitamin A, which is applied topically - Retinol, Aknetin, Roaccutane	These drugs normalize the metabolic processes in the skin.
Eyelids	Drops - Vitabact, Okomistin, Pikloxidin	Antiseptics disinfect the treatment area and prevent the spread of the disease
	Ointments with antiseptic effect - Calendula, Glycoderm, Metrogyl jelly
	Acaricides, which are similar to those used in the treatment of skin demodicosis	The drugs kill ticks
Eyes	Preparations for stopping the inflammatory reaction - Tobrazon, Tobradex, DexaTobropt	They reduce the negative manifestations of the organs of vision.
	Allergy medications - Loratadine, Clemastine, Desloratadine, Azelastine.	They stop an allergic reaction.

All of these drugs are often not prescribed to patients with demodicosis. The doctor selects drugs depending on the severity of the disease and its specific manifestations.

How to get rid of demodicosis in 4 days?

It is believed that the treatment of demodicosis takes 1-2 months. In 2014, scientists from Orenburg developed a new treatment scheme that allows you to get rid of the disease in 4 days. The therapy has been proven in a practical way.

Treatment scheme for demodicosis:

• To kill ticks, use Benzyl benzoate ointment with a concentration of 10%.
• To relieve inflammation and symptoms of the disease, Uniderm cream is used.
• To eliminate skin peeling, use Emolium cream.

All these preparations are applied to the affected tissue, maintaining an interval of 20 minutes. They must be used in the order in which they are listed. To prevent a relapse of the disease, the course must be repeated after 14-18 days.

The proposed scheme can be practiced in the event that no bacterial infection has occurred (the use of antimicrobial drugs is required).

Forecast

The forecast is always good. Persistent changes in the dermis with demodicosis are not observed. To cope with parasites, you need to strictly follow medical recommendations.

Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist

Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".