invisible mites

Posted by elaine on January 17, 2005 at 16:06:26:

Finally, I find what I thought were bird mites were demodex mites. I have been plagued too long. Thisis a lot of info, but if you have been haunted with invisible mites it may be worth reading--found from an internet site.

What are the most obvious signs from demodex activity?
There are numerous different signs of demodex activity. This is not a complete list, rather it contains some of the most common cases.

One of the most obvious signs of the condition is a itching, crawling sensation on the face or (and) in the scalp, but most of the time, there is no itching at all, and people are not aware they are infested with Demodex mites.
Often, the pores on the nose, forehead, chin and cheeks, become visibly larger. At a further stage, acne can develop, after some time, the facial skin can become red in places (rosacea) enlarging and damaging the capillaries, thickening the nose (brandy nose) etc.

Tickling sensation on the face. This occurs most frequently on the lower nose, forehead and cheeks, especially in the evening and night. This is the highest period of activity, usually when they mate. Many people are not aware of this tickle, because it starts gradually and it becomes an automatic reaction to scratch without noticing. You may have observed someone repeatedly scratching his face without realizing it.

Tickle on the scalp. Naturally, there can be also other conditions that give cause for scratching, like lice and dandruff. These should be ruled out in order to determine proper treatment.

Hair loss. In some cases, premature hair loss can be linked with extended demodex folliculorum activity.

Widened pores. Starts usually on the nose and cheeks.

Acne. Forms include pimples, pustules, papules, popular eruption etc.

Red skin. Usually appears on the lower sides of the nose, forehead and cheeks.

Itching eye lashes. Many times the eyelashes are thinning and falling out.

Itching eye brows.

Excess facial oils.

Demodedic rosacea.

Are Demodex Mites contagious?
Yes, demodex mites are very contagious. They are acquired through physical contact with infected persons; for example through kissing, hugging, using the same towels etc. However, not everyone who is infected has problems with them. It is a fact that the majority of infected people, show no signs of any disease, from the infected people, only around 10% are getting skin problems. This may be due to a healthier immune system and/or because of numerous other reasons which are not so well known for the moment.
Infected people with no visible signs can also transmit the mites to other people.
Once infected, it can take months or even years before the signs of infection become visible.

Why the tickle does become worse in the evening and night?
Demodex mites are more active in the dark. They don’t like light and in the evening they come out onto the skin’s surface to breed. This explains why the tickle gets worse in the evening. There is much more movement on the surface of the skin at that time

Do I need to take vitamins during the treatment?
Yes, it is a big help if you take if you take 5-10 mg of vitamin B² (riboflavin) 3 times a day during the treatment, in addition, everything that can boost your immune system is a help.

Can there be hitching all over the body?
Yes, while demodex mites can live anywhere on the body where there are sebaceous glands, tickle and spots can occur on other areas of the body because of an allergic reaction by one’s immune system to infection from the mites however, normally this can only happen when the immune system is really weakened, like for example aids patients.
Acne on chest or back is more likely to happen because of Demodex mites.

My doctor tells me I am delusional?
This happens every day, except in Russia and China, almost all dermatologists don’t recognize or take Demodex mites into consideration when an itchy or crawling feeling on the face or/and scalp occurs.
In the rare cases they indeed diagnose Demodex mites the only thing they can do is treating with pesticides who are poisonous and very bad for your skin, most of the time, pesticides only help a bit and are not able to eliminate them completely so they just start to bread again and the symptoms stay.
The reason why some people are getting troubles with those mites and others not is not well know, but has probable to do with a change in the immune system.
Doctors simply don’t know how, or don’t want to test for those mites, it is a pity because it is very simple and takes only a couple of minutes.
That is how it works , if they can’t proof or they don’t know, it is not there, and sending the people home with the message they are delusional happens many times.
Especially people with a lowered immune system can become suddenly a victim from those mites.

Follow Ups:

• To JC Gin 21:54:34 2/08/2005 (0)
• desperate??? Joanne 12:58:19 1/21/2005 (0)
• Re: invisible mites Joanne 12:56:20 1/21/2005 (0)
• Re: invisible mites JC 12:31:29 1/19/2005 (1)
  • Re: invisible mites bill 23:21:15 1/20/2005 (0)