Dermatology

Inflammation in acne: is the demodex mite to blame?

Skin inflammation caused by Demodex mite looks very similar to subcutaneous acne. This parasite lives in the sebaceous glands, feeding on the fat secreted by the gland, and therefore it is believed that demodicosis can become a complicating factor in problematic skin with its increased oiliness and enlarged pores. However, researchers are not yet ready to state that it is primary – colonization by mites of a gland that excessively produces sebum, or an increase in this gland due to the multiplication of microorganisms in it. In any case, according to estet-portal.com, in the presence of acne-like rashes on the skin, cosmetologists should assume the likelihood of the presence of demodex mites.

When can the demodex mite be to blame for skin inflammation?

The Demodex mite feeds on fat secreted by the sebaceous glands and, as a rule, parasitizes in the face, chest, and back. In areas of the skin where sebum production is very low, demodex does not live at all.

According to scientists, almost 90% of men and women are carriers of the Demodex mite and are not even aware of it.

The presence of 1-3 mites in the depths of the sebaceous gland does not affect the condition of the skin. But if for some reason a person's health is disturbed – for example, due to hormonal fluctuations, gastrointestinal disorders – then the mite can penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and cause an inflammatory process.

When Demodex mites are activated and their intensive reproduction, parasite eggs are carried out of the sebaceous gland duct by secreted sebum to the surface of the skin, most of them die, but the remaining microorganisms settle under the scales of the epidermis and in neighboring sebaceous glands, which leads to the spread of the process. The person himself can also transfer microorganisms to other parts of the body – when, for example, he rubs or scratches the affected area on the face, and then touches other parts of the body with his hands. Transfer of ticks from one patient to another is possible with shared hygiene items or through close contact.

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Why does the demodex mite get activated and what does it lead to

As a rule, the active reproduction of the Demodex mite, leading to the development of an inflammatory process, is directly related to increased production of sebum. The reasons why the sebaceous glands begin to work in an overly active mode are:

  • hormonal fluctuations in the body (certain endocrine and gynecological diseases, sometimes pregnancy, puberty or perimenopausal period),
  • gastrointestinal diseases,
  • stress conditions,
  • decrease in the body's immune reactivity, including at the level of the skin.

Today, there is no sound scientific data on whether the Demodex mite can excrete in the course of its life  such a significant amount of enzymes that could modify the composition of sebum, cause swelling of the dermis, or provoke some other serious changes in the skin. If there are suggestions that the activity of the Demodex mite has become a complicating factor in acne or other skin diseases, diagnostic studies should be carried out and the presence of these microorganisms should be confirmed.

Why is it important to know if there is a Demodex mite for skin inflammations

Specialists note that in case of inflammation on the skin and proven accession to the process of such a complicating factor as the Demodex mite, it is necessary to approach the choice of therapy very carefully. So the use of local antiparasitic drugs does not always give a positive result, and in some cases it can even provoke an exacerbation of the inflammatory process. If such therapy is nevertheless necessary, then the following factors should be taken into account when choosing drugs:

  • most preparations with exfoliating and antiparasitic properties are very aggressive, and if the treatment is not very effective, they cause severe skin irritation, which is undesirable for acne or other skin diseases;
  • systemic preparations of the nitroimidazole group, which are capable of destroying the DNA structure of the demodex mite, work more efficiently and at the same time do not irritate the skin.

Often, with a combination of inflammatory elements and a complicating factor in the form of demodicosis, the treatment of the underlying pathology gives an excellent result. – for example, acne, after which the mite activity fades without additional therapy.

The patient should be aware that the Demodex mite can be spread by contact, and therefore must observe the rules of personal hygiene.


  • Comments (3)

    Марина#566
    04 июня 2016, 20:27

    Демодекс, это сопрофит - паразит, который живет практически в каждом и им невозможно заразиться. Поэтому, не соглашусь с последним абзацем.


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