Demodicosis — a disease caused by the invasion of the mite of the genus Demodex, which affects the follicles of the sebaceous glands. A huge number of myths and scary stories revolve around this parasite, however, do they really have the right to life?
Especially for the readers of estet-portal.com, a dermatovenereologist, head of the department of dermatovenereology, doctor of medical sciences, professor Vladimir Adaskevich told whether it is worth being afraid of the Demodex mite, and also about what effective therapy for demodicosis should be.
Demodecosis: causative agent, provoking factors, concomitant diseases
The results of long-term observations indicate that Demodex mites reliably cause primary chronic disease demodicosis in humans, which has a huge number of latent and subclinical forms. Demodicosis can occur under the clinical mask of many inflammatory dermatoses.
Also, this disease can be associated with rosacea, acne, perioral and seborrheic dermatitis.
Demodicosis can be provoked by both endogenous factors (pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, stress, hormonal disorders, vascular pathology) and exogenous (violations in the quality and quantity of sebum, nutritional factors, excessive insolation, prolonged use of medications, the presence of harmful habits and too frequent showering).
What you need to know about the causative agent of human demodicosis
Demodex mites are human symbionts, which means that they normally exist on our skin.
It is important to understand that if there are less than 5 mites per 1 cm2 of skin without a corresponding clinical picture, such a number of individuals cannot be considered significant.
Moreover, Demodex mites normally perform a cleansing function on human skin, absorbing dead skin particles and an excess amount of sebum. Thus, the presence of ticks does not yet indicate the disease demodicosis.
Very often, overdiagnosis of demodicosis causes the development of such a problem as acarophobia — fear of ticks, which is manifested by complaints of constant tick bites, social isolation, as well as physical symptoms: nausea, trembling, headache. The presence of this disease requires a consultation with a psychiatrist.
Peculiarities of clinical diagnosis of demodicosis
Clinically, demodicosis can be suspected according to the following criteria:
• skin lesion occurs suddenly;
• most often it is one-sided, asymmetrical;
• has a tendency to spread;
• accompanied by pityriasiform desquamation and roughness of the skin;
• The main elements of the rash are clustered papules and pustules that occur against the background of erythema around the mouths of the hair follicles.
What substances in cosmetics can harm the skin
Laboratory diagnosis of demodicosis can be carried out using a scraping from the surface of damaged skin, the method of extrusion and microscopy of the contents of the sebaceous glands, skin biopsy and dermatoscopy.
Treatment of demodicosis: local and systemic therapy
For effective treatment of demodicosis, it is necessary to act on the causative tick both locally and systemically. The therapy consists of 2-4 courses of treatment from 10 to 14 days, with a break of 7-10 days.
Systemic therapy for demodicosis includes the use of metronidazole or ornidazole, or an antiparasitic drug such as ivermectin.
Topical treatment involves the use of products that contain:
• metronidazole;
• sulfur;
• antiparasitic substances;
• azelaic acid.
Also of great importance in the systemic therapy of demodicosis is the rejection of thermal procedures, and the use of vasoconstrictor creams with chamomile, menthol or mint. Only a comprehensive systematic treatment allows you to achieve the best results in the treatment of rosacea.
Share:
Add a comment