Demodex mites are divided into Demodex Folliculorum and Demodex brevis. Demodex folliculorum is found mainly in the eyelash follicles. Demodex brevis are found deep within the sebaceous glands where they are looking for tallow, their main food source. It was true that the mites of the epithelia (of the follicles and glands) eat live skin, which could then lead to direct damage to the lid margin. The life cycle of the mite is followed through in about 14-18 days from egg to larva stage with only 5 days in the adult stage. Female Demodex live longer after laying their eggs for 5 days. As the adult mites live only briefly, the pairing off of two is an important aspect in the Demodex breeding. In addition, Demodex have only a limited lifespan outside the body. In the treatment of Demodex, it is therefore important to prevent contraction and transmission from human to human. The correct sensitisation of clothing and household items will restrict the contagion and proliferation of Demodex Folliculorum.
Demodex mites can cause a blepharitis, by bringing to the surface bacteria (streptococci and staphylococci) at the edge of the eyelid. Moreover, the body deals so infrequently with bacteria in the body that is may then in turn can trigger an immune response (inflammation). The proteins inside the Demodex mites such as their debris or waste can cause a delayed hypersensitivity or an innate immune response and an inflammatory reaction in the host.
The main symptoms are a Demodex Folliculorum infection is itching, burning, a foreign body sensation, redness and a crusting in and on the skin, as well as a visual disturbance, including scabs. Typical signs are cylindrical scales, cilia disorders, inflammation of the lid margin, meibomian glands infections, blepharoconjunctivitis (eyelid and conjunctiva inflammation) and Blepharokeratitis (eyelid and corneal inflammation).
Persistent infection of the eyelash follicle can lead to irregular and false eyelash growth (in the wrong direction). If the eyelashes are directed toward the cornea, they may rub on the cornea and cause ulceration.
The blockade of meibomian glands results in swelling and enlargement of the glands; it can also encourage bacteria to create an infection of the glands, resulting in a blockage. This means that the oil from the glands cannot be dispensed. It may also restrict the tear duct from working, which causes further dry eye problems and irritation. The mechanical blockage and the immune reaction at the edge of the eyelid can lead to severe blepharitis. Blepharitis can also spread to the conjunctiva. The Demodex condition that caused conjunctivitis is not treatable by conventional therapy. Even in children with chronic conjunctivitis, which responds to a standard therapy does not need to be thought of a demodex infestation. Inflammation of the eyelid edge can pass to the cornea and cause serious diseases.
Various treatments for controlling Demodex Folliculorum are known as mercury oxide ointment 1%, pilocarpine gel, ointment, sulphur and camphor oil. Most of these treatments require applying the ointment to the eyelash base overnight so that the mites can be killed when they walk in the night from the skin and eyelash-to-eyelash
Adult D. folliculorum are resistant to a variety of treatments buy you may try 75% alcohol, 10% PVP-iodine, antibiotics such as erythromycin or metronidazole. Some people however will not gain any advantage from these, even after a long exposure time of 150 minutes. Tea tree oil can be used to kill very stubborn mites. Cleaning with tea tree oil not only leads to the removal of the cylindrical scales on the eyelashes, but also means that the mites migrate from the follicles on the skin. A daily cleaning with 50% tea tree oil using a lid massage can lead to falls in mite numbers, to the point where over 4 weeks in most patients, the number of mites is reduced to zero.
Demodex mites can cause a blepharitis, by bringing to the surface bacteria (streptococci and staphylococci) at the edge of the eyelid. Moreover, the body deals so infrequently with bacteria in the body that is may then in turn can trigger an immune response (inflammation). The proteins inside the Demodex mites such as their debris or waste can cause a delayed hypersensitivity or an innate immune response and an inflammatory reaction in the host.
The main symptoms are a Demodex Folliculorum infection is itching, burning, a foreign body sensation, redness and a crusting in and on the skin, as well as a visual disturbance, including scabs. Typical signs are cylindrical scales, cilia disorders, inflammation of the lid margin, meibomian glands infections, blepharoconjunctivitis (eyelid and conjunctiva inflammation) and Blepharokeratitis (eyelid and corneal inflammation).
Persistent infection of the eyelash follicle can lead to irregular and false eyelash growth (in the wrong direction). If the eyelashes are directed toward the cornea, they may rub on the cornea and cause ulceration.
The blockade of meibomian glands results in swelling and enlargement of the glands; it can also encourage bacteria to create an infection of the glands, resulting in a blockage. This means that the oil from the glands cannot be dispensed. It may also restrict the tear duct from working, which causes further dry eye problems and irritation. The mechanical blockage and the immune reaction at the edge of the eyelid can lead to severe blepharitis. Blepharitis can also spread to the conjunctiva. The Demodex condition that caused conjunctivitis is not treatable by conventional therapy. Even in children with chronic conjunctivitis, which responds to a standard therapy does not need to be thought of a demodex infestation. Inflammation of the eyelid edge can pass to the cornea and cause serious diseases.
Various treatments for controlling Demodex Folliculorum are known as mercury oxide ointment 1%, pilocarpine gel, ointment, sulphur and camphor oil. Most of these treatments require applying the ointment to the eyelash base overnight so that the mites can be killed when they walk in the night from the skin and eyelash-to-eyelash
Adult D. folliculorum are resistant to a variety of treatments buy you may try 75% alcohol, 10% PVP-iodine, antibiotics such as erythromycin or metronidazole. Some people however will not gain any advantage from these, even after a long exposure time of 150 minutes. Tea tree oil can be used to kill very stubborn mites. Cleaning with tea tree oil not only leads to the removal of the cylindrical scales on the eyelashes, but also means that the mites migrate from the follicles on the skin. A daily cleaning with 50% tea tree oil using a lid massage can lead to falls in mite numbers, to the point where over 4 weeks in most patients, the number of mites is reduced to zero.
