Demodex Mites: Could They Be Causing Your Skin Problems?

Demodex mites are small microscopic insects that live on roughly 60 to 90 % of all people. They are highly contagious. Of these facial mites there are primarily two kinds: folliculum, and brevis. The Brevis mite lives in the sebaceous glands (the oil producing glands). They cause little harm and most people will never have a problem with them. The folliculum variety, however, is another matter. This variety causes many skin problems the most common being acne and rosacea. In fact, in my opinion, all people who are currently experiencing stubborn acne should be tested to see if they are infested with mites. This can only be done using a microscope. I would prefer to see a dermatologist who is aware of demodex and the problems they cause.

Many people go through life with few problems associated with Demodex mites. The mite population is controlled by an antigen that they produce themselves which triggers our bodies into producing antibodies against the bugs. This keeps their reproduction low and in balance so as not to cause skin problems. The problems with them occur when our immune systems are compromised in some way such as through disease, stress, or hormonal changes such as puberty. That is why so many teenagers have acne problems. And just when they don't need them!

Here are some of the symptoms of demodex mite infestation:

--itching sensation on the face or scalp.

--rosacea, or any reddening of areas of the face.

--acne, including papules, pustules, and cysts.

--itching of the eyebrows or eyelash area.

--your skin becomes much oiler.

--you begin to have a swollen nose (sometimes called brandy nose).

--widening of facial pores.

--hair loss.

What are the optimal conditions for these critters to live in? They prefer the forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, and scalp. These areas contain the most in the oils and hormones they live on. They actually pierce the cells and drain out the nutrients for themselves. Yum! Folliculum lives head down at the base of the hair shaft. And they become more active in the dark. That itching sensation that intensifies at night may be them waking up. They then travel outside of the pore to the surface of the skin where they breed. They then retreat back into the pore to lay their eggs, taking facial bacteria with them. Makes you never want to go to bed without thoroughly washing your face again, doesn't it? Their eggs are actually encased in a membrane that is impervious to even pesticides. They will hatch soon and the cycle starts all over again. In the meantime you are left with a face that is filled with mites and bacteria. Little wonder you are suffering with acne and rosacea.

You can help to save your skin from the ravages of demodex mites: the scarring, the embarrassment, the pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, blemishes, and the itching. Here is what to do to get rid of or to least keep the critters under control so you can prevent them from damaging your skin.

--Never go to bed without thoroughly cleansing your face. Apply tea tree oil cream or tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is effective because it has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Use a good tea tree oil soap for bathing also.

--Bed linens need to be changed regularly. And that pillowcase, everyday. These linens should be washed in an eco-friendly laundry detergent to which about 10 drops of tea tree oil has been added.

--Use a good tea tree oil shampoo for the scalp. The tea tree oil shampoo that I use I also wash the dog with. Bugs hate the stuff and my dog never has fleas.

--Use these products consistently. I would say 3 to 5 months should do it. You could then put yourself on a two times a week schedule, or if you notice any signs of infestation simply start again.

--Boost your immune system by taking a really good nutritional supplement.