Scalp Mites -- Demodex folliculorum.

LINK: https://www.thanks2god.info/Monographs/a-scalp-mites.htm

2023-10-01

What is: Scalp Mites -- Demodex folliculorum. INDEX
https://www.webmd.com/
skin-problems-and-treatments/what-are-demodex-mites
What Are Demodex Mites?
by Kristen Fischer
Medically Reviewed by Stephanie S. Gardner, MD
May 04, 2023

LINK 2: Demodex folliculorum: What You Should Know.
https://www.healthline.com/health/demodex-folliculorum
By Kristeen Cherney
Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN
Updated on July 24, 2019 --- Image

LINK 3: What is Demodex folliculorum?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321831
By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA
Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH
May 17, 2018

LINK 4: Demodex Folliculitis of the Scalp:
Clinicopathological Study of an Uncommon Entity.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26959693/
Wissam Helou, Emily Avitan-Hersh, Reuven Bergman
Am J Dermatopathology
2016 Sep;38(9):658-63.
(Many similar articles are listed with LINKS.)

Original Study
https://journals.lww.com/amjdermatopathology/
abstract/2016/09000/demodex_folliculitis_of_the_scalp_.3.aspx

In mid-September, 2023, I finally found scientific and health reporting information on Scalp Mites.
Infrequently found in scalp biopsies, partly because the labs involved were NOT to test for them, physicians were encouraged to "diagnose" scalp irritations as folliculitus caused by bacterial pathologies. This led to reactive prescribing of drugs unsuited to this ailment, and, in cases of THIS burden, useless, or even aggravating of the condition to a potential point of fatality. As this possibility was seldom, if ever, considered in ANY form of Autopsy, physicians had NO encouragement to learn of the option and decrease their ERRORS which could result in long-term patient suffering.

In 2014, after more than 7 years of searching for a diagnosis for my Scalp condition, I found an article written by an American sports reporter who had been experiencing a skin condition that sounded like my scalp problem. He had been to promient dermatologists in 10 states across a period of 10 years. His last contact was the first to suggest a knowledgeable diagnosis. He was told that he had Hidradenitis suppurativa. Discouraging, he was also told that there was no known treatment for it or any chance of recovery. With this climax after coping with the ailment for longer than 10 years, and, with other illnesses coming into view that presented urgent health symptoms .. my efforts were focused on finding ways to cope with, or, recover from such individual complexities. Some diseases, as in the past, I would find or devise ways to recover from. Others I would eventually find solutions for, or, at least find a detailed description of WHAT they were. With Health Summaries and Reports continually growing in size and complexity, I soon forgot about including Hidradenitis suppurativa in them.


D. folliculorum mites live in or around hair follicles, feeding on the dead skin cells, oils, and hormones that build up there.
These mites usually live on the face, including the eyelids and eyelashes.

D. folliculorum mites are more commonTrusted Source in males than in females, with people aged 20–30 years old the most likely to be affected.

Demodex is infrequently found in scalp biopsies for hair loss and alopecia, and, in most cases, it does not seem to be pathogenic.
Occasionally, however, it is associated with folliculitis characterized by hair loss, erythema, scales, and pustules clinically; neutrophilic and/or mononuclear-cell folliculitis with occasional granulomas histopathologically; and a prompt response to anti-Demodex therapy.

Demodex is a saprophytic mite in humans commonly present in the pilosebaceous units, which has been implicated as a pathogen in several skin conditions. The clinical presentation and histopathology of Demodex folliculitis of the scalp have been described in only a few case reports. ... We have studied 333 consecutively submitted scalp biopsies performed for hair loss and alopecia. ...There were 17 biopsies (5.1%) with Demodex in at least 1 pilosebaceous unit. ... Demodex was considered to be nonpathogenic in 13 cases. The remaining 4 cases were characterized by hair loss, scalp erythema, scales, and pustules. There were 2 or more pilosebaceous units with Demodex along mononuclear and/or neutrophilic infiltrates around and in the involved follicles and occasionally granulomas. All 4 cases responded completely to metronidazole therapy.

... the National Rosacea Foundation estimates that rosacea patients have up to 18 times more Demodex mites than patients without rosacea.

Demodex mites are tiny eight-legged parasites that mostly live in hair follicles and oil glands on your face, neck, or chest.
As alarming as this may sound, they’re generally harmless. In fact, they can even help your skin by removing dead skin cells.
But if you get too many of them, they can cause an infection that irritates your skin.

They’re very common. Scientists estimate that from 23%-100% of healthy adults have them.
But you likely won’t know you have them unless your skin acts up. You can’t see them without a microscope.

Male and female mites usually mate inside a follicle opening.
They lay eggs inside your hair follicles and oil glands. Larvae hatch within 3-4 days and reach adulthood after 7 days.

The mites live about 2 weeks. They usually come out at night to feast on dead skin cells before retreating to their hiding spots to lay eggs.
When they die, they break down inside your hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

Demodex mites are contagious.
They move from person to person by contact with hair, eyebrows, or oil glands on the skin.

Two types of Demodex mites live on humans: Demodex folliculorum (D. folliculorum) and Demodex brevis (D. brevis)....

Both types have elongated, semi-transparent bodies made up of two fused segments, one of which has eight legs attached.
Scales cover their bodies, helping them attach to your hair follicles. Each has mouthparts designed to consume skin cells, oil, and hormones in your hair follicles and oil glands.

    Symptoms of Demodex folliculorum infection
    • Rough skin
    • Scaly, flaky, or itchy skin
    • Redness or rashes
    • Skin sensitivity
    • Burning
    • Eczema
    • Inflamed papules and pustules that resemble whiteheads

Small numbers of Demodex mites can be beneficial because they remove dead skin cells and extra oil on your skin.
As long as the amount of mites on your skin stays under control, you are unlikely to experience any problems.

But sometimes, people end up with too many mites burrowing into their skin, leading to demodicosis -- the infection that causes skin inflammation.

Blepharitis.
This inflammation of the eyelids is caused by a blockage in the oil glands in that area, usually at the base of your eyelashes.
Demodex mites are often the reason people over 60 develop blepharitis.

    Signs of blepharitis include:
    • Redness
    • Tearing
    • Burning or stinging sensation in your eyes
    • White flakes in your eyelashes
    • Feeling like something is in your eye
    • Sensitivity to light
    • Brittle eyelashes
    • Loss of eyelashes
    • Blurred vision? at times

    Demodex Mite Treatment
    • Metronidazole
    • Permethrin
    • Benzyl benzoate
    • Crotamiton
    • Lindane
    • Sulfur products
    • Ivermectin
    • Salicylic acid
    • Selenium sulfide
    • Pulsed dye laser treatments

If your doctor thinks mites caused your blepharitis, they’ll advise cleaning your eye area daily with warm water.
Warm compresses can help relieve swelling while they clean your lashes and eyelids.

Medicated ointments can help prevent the spread of Demodex mites from your eyelashes.

A doctor may recommend treatment with creams such as crotamiton or permethrin.
These are topical insecticides that can kill mites and so reduce their numbers.
The doctor may also prescribe topical or oral metronidazole, which is an antibiotic medication.

... a high-concentration alcohol solution applied to the skin will bring the Demodex mites to the surface.

A person can clean around their eyes using Demodex facial wipes or towelettes.
Suitable products include Cliradex and Demodex Control.

Some people use tea tree oil as a home remedy ...
Gently scrub your eyelashes with a 50 percent solution of tea tree oil.
Then apply tea tree oil to kill any eggs left behind. The tea tree oil should get rid of mites and mite eggs.

One study found it draws the mites out of your skin, which could make it easier for treatments to work.
But tea tree oil can irritate your eyes.

    Who is at risk for getting Demodex folliculorum?
    • a weakened immune system
    • dermatitis
    • skin infections
    • alopecia
    • acne, especially inflammatory types
    • HIV
    • are taking corticosteroids, such as prednisone
    • have a history of cancer or liver disease
    • rosacea, though increasing evidence suggests the mites can actually cause this condition
    Some other people may be genetically susceptible to D. folliculorum and thus more sensitive to the presence of the mites.

    Prevention.
    In most cases, D. brevis isn’t severe enough to warrant significant medical treatment.
    Personal care is one of the main ways you can get rid of the mites and prevent widespread infestations.
    Follow these hygiene tips:
    • Bathe daily to help remove excess oil that D. brevis feeds on.
    • Take a shower immediately after working out / sweating.
    • Use nongreasy lotions and sunscreen.
    • Exfoliate your skin every couple of days to get rid of dead skin cells, as oils can become trapped under dead skin.


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For the purpose of maintaining an availability of these articles for myself and you, I have reprinted parts in the relevant monographs with authorship maintained, coding simplified for error-free loading and minimal file size, and a LINK to the original document. Identity trackers and advertising bots have been removed from the original bloated and manipulative coding. NOTHING in writing is absolute; don't treat human opinion, projection, and observation as an Idol. Doing so can kill you, or worse, have you impose abuse on others.

I gathered and researched this data, mediated with the Grace of God through prayer as a benefit in my integrating discovered available digital information which would acquaint me with the overall content related to the health issues. I have found that God is ALWAYS available when we are Reverent in our Asking, open-minded in our Listening, and, Assertive in our Choice of Action. Doctors did not expect me to survive birth. In the past 25 years, medical and health "experts" have cautioned or directed me, more than 14 times, that I had little time left to live, or would die ... because THEY did not understand my challenges, were not motivated to professionally diagnose, or, chose to superstitiously recall as absolute previously flawed training. I am still alive beyond age 70. With the assistance of God, my Personality, the research and a lack of dismissiveness of a number of persons ... I have found resolution to numerous health challenges. This has enabled me to assist many others who had been abandoned, brainwashed, or traumatized. May my experience and successes also empower you. This is one document which you may find helpful as a BASIC introduction to maintaining and improving YOUR health.