Scalp demodicosis is a serious disease that affects the scalp and is characterized by itching, hair loss, and a number of other characteristic symptoms.
The disease is infectious in nature and occurs as a result of the active vital activity of microscopic glandular mites of the genus Demodex.
Parasites live in the depths of the skin, while releasing specific enzyme substances that provoke edema of the epidermis. Demodectic mange requires immediate treatment with medications, special shampoos and other therapies.
Reasons for the development of demodicosis
The human body is parasitized by many bacteria and microorganisms. Strong immunity and a healthy lifestyle contribute to the optimal number of parasites that do not cause discomfort to the person. But at a certain point, a failure occurs in the immune system, and it ceases to control the activity of parasites.
On a note!
Demodex mites subtly feel the weakening of the protective systems of the person on which they live, and take the opportunity. There is a sharp jump in the number of microorganisms, which the person himself, who is experiencing serious health problems, begins to notice.
The reasons for the sharp decline in immunity may be different, and it is difficult to understand what was the first impetus to the development of demodicosis on the head. The main most common factors in the onset of the disease are:
- severe stress;
- strict diet;
- hormonal imbalance;
- lack of vitamins;
- improper nutrition;
- taking antibiotics;
- the use of low-quality hair products;
- frequent use of varnishes, mousses, hair styling gels;
- heat treatment of hair with heat rollers, hair dryers, curling and hair straightening devices;
- excessive alcohol consumption, smoking;
- frequent use of strong tea and coffee;
- prolonged exposure to the sun in hot weather;
- non-observance of personal hygiene;
- disturbances in the work of the endocrine system.
Hair care
With demodicosis, it is necessary to abandon the usual shampoos in favor of tar soap and "talker" - it is prepared in a pharmacy and consists of Dimexidum, Trichopolum and other drugs. Spregal is also used, which suppresses the nervous system of ticks.
You can take care of the scalp and hair during an exacerbation of the pathology using the following shampoos:
- Demodex Complex;
- Stop Demodex;
- Demodex Ovante;
- Manting.
Birch tar should be added to hair care products. The substance has a positive effect on the skin, suppressing inflammation. To quickly get rid of ticks, you can treat problem areas with kerosene, holding for three days. This method cannot be used for inflammation of the dermis.
Symptoms of head demodicosis
Demodex folliculorum is a type of mite that parasitizes hair root follicles. This parasite is a small larva-like creature, about a tenth of a millimeter in size. It is impossible to see him with the naked eye. The active activity of a large number of mites leads to the appearance of pustules on the scalp and the destruction of the root follicle.
Symptoms of head demodicosis
A person infected with demodicosis displays the following symptoms of the disease:
- Dandruff, flaking of the scalp.
- The appearance of acne on the head, accompanied by severe itching.
- Hair loss. In advanced cases, whole strands of hair may fall out.
- Violent suppuration in the form of lumps of skin with pus inside. It can develop into a dense crust of pustules all over the head, which can only be removed surgically.
To understand what external signs the patient has, it is enough to look at the photo of the scalp demodicosis. They depict the affected areas of the skin at different stages of the disease. Women are more often susceptible to this ailment.
On a note!
Diagnosis of demodicosis is carried out by a trichologist. A visit to a specialist is recommended 2 days after shampooing. The doctor examines the patient, takes a scraping of the skin in the area affected by the abscesses and then announces the diagnosis. To assess the real picture of the patient's condition, he is sent to donate blood, urine, if necessary, to an appointment with a therapist and endocrinologist. A complete diagnosis of the body will help identify the root cause of the disease.
Useful video
In this video you will learn what demodicosis is and from what it appears:
Demodectic mange of the head causes a lot of inconvenience and discomfort during the active reproduction of ticks. But it should be remembered that therapy must be comprehensive, including all of the above treatment methods.
For prevention purposes, it is recommended to use only personal items for head and body hygiene (towel, hairbrush, soap, etc.), since the infection is transmitted by contact and household means.
Treatment of head demodicosis
It is pointless to treat demodicosis using only a superficial effect - shampoos or ointments. If you do not address the root cause of your health problems, you will not be able to cope with parasites. Treatment of demodicosis should be comprehensive and include a whole list of necessary conditions under which the patient will recover:
- The use of special products for external use: ointments, creams, soaps, shampoos, tonics.
- Vitamin complex containing the main groups of vitamins and minerals that can raise the immune system to the desired level.
- Taking antifungal and antibacterial drugs. Against their background, the microflora of the stomach can be disturbed. In the kit, such funds must be taken along with probiotics.
- Change in hormonal levels. Taking drugs whose action is aimed at restoring the functions of the endocrine gland.
- Refusal of fried, fatty, spicy, salty foods. There are more vegetables and fruits. Steam or boil meat products. Do not abuse sweets, coffee, carbonated drinks.
- Avoid stressful situations, do not overexert yourself physically and mentally.
- Spend more time resting and sleeping.
Treatment of demodicosis
On a note!
The trichologist evaluates the state of the patient's body, prescribes medications for him and monitors the course of treatment. Among the most popular remedies for demodicosis in the hair are shampoos and ointments. In a pair they are prescribed antibiotics of the tetracycline group. Among the vitamin complexes are "Complivit", "Vitrum", "Centrum" and others. There are also folk methods of dealing with an unpleasant ailment.
Possible complications
Demodectic mange gives complications when the pathological process spreads to the front of the head. In such circumstances, the patient is disturbed.
- conjunctivitis, against the background of which visual acuity decreases;
- the appearance of a whitish coating on the eyelashes;
- clumping eyelashes;
- acne;
- frequent barley in the eyes;
- vascular "asterisks".
Be careful! As the pathological process progresses, the patient develops: rhinophyma on the nose, metafina on the forehead, blepharophyma on the eyelids, otofima near the earlobe, gnatofima on the chin.
These growths are benign neoplasms that significantly spoil the appearance of a person and often require surgical intervention.
Shampoos and ointments
The most convenient and effective way to overcome subcutaneous mites is the use of shampoos, ointments, balms. A convenient form of release in the form of a finished product, packed in a plastic bottle, allows you to use this medicinal cosmetics in the daily rhythm of life without prior preparation.
Manting Acarus-removing
Demodectic shampoo of a well-known Chinese brand is not the last in the ranking of drugs for demodicosis. The company is engaged in the production of natural cosmetic and health products. Shampoo and conditioner fights demodicosis and seborrhea. Has a pleasant aroma and good foaming properties.
One 280 ml plastic bottle with a frequency of use 2-3 times a week is enough for 2 months of use. Manting contributes to the destruction of demodex mites, healing the scalp, and reducing the fat content of the roots. The cost of one bottle of any product is 650-800 rubles. Also, the series for subcutaneous mites includes soap, cream, milk and other products.
Demodex complex
Cosmetic kits of the Chinese company Demodex Complex were the first examples of an integrated approach to the treatment of demodicosis. The acaricidal composition gently acts on the damaged scalp, but kills all parasites. The anti-demodicosis product line for hair includes shampoo and conditioner.
Both products are available in 200 ml tubes. In addition to the acaricidal component against subcutaneous mites, the composition of the funds includes herbal extracts, which have a healing and soothing effect. Prices for shampoo start at 1700 rubles, and for conditioner - from 1400.
Shampoos for demodicosis
Stop Demodex
The active ingredient of the Ukrainian shampoo is metronidazole. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, destroys fungal formations, bacteria and ticks themselves. Also, the drug reduces the oiliness of the skin, eliminates itching, heals and restores the upper layer of the epithelium.
The product is available in a 100 ml bottle, but its consumption is economical due to abundant foaming. One bottle is enough for 2-3 weeks of treatment. The average price of a bottle of Stop Demodex is 800 rubles. You can buy it in the online store.
Shampoo reviews
Recently I faced serious problems - demodectic skin of the scalp developed. At first, itchy acne appeared, and then hair began to fall out. I was terribly scared, I called a friend who is engaged in medical cosmetics. She immediately brought me a bottle of Stop Demodex from ticks. It is small, but for my short hairstyle it was enough for almost a month of applications. The itching is gone, and the hair is silky and healthy.
Ekaterina, Kostroma
My sister had severe depression after her divorce from her husband. Against her background, she began to have health problems. Including the appearance of a demodectic mite. Seeing my sister's condition, I ordered shampoo from the Chinese company Manting on the Internet. She forced her poor relative to be treated. After a month of regular washing and taking vitamins, my sister began to look feminine again. The treatment was successful.
Maria, Perm
Specificity of pathology
Demodectic mange is caused by a mite that lives in the area of hair follicles.
In a patient with a similar problem, a skin scraping is taken from the scalp and the material is examined under a microscope. If a person has this disease, then the number of ticks in the analysis will significantly exceed the permissible limits. The disease is a case when 30 or more individuals of the parasite are found in the area of one sebaceous gland.
Causative agent
The tick is small, about 0.4 mm, and is present in almost every person. If the state of the human body is normal, the immune system is functioning correctly, then the parasites do not have the ability to multiply, so they do not cause concern to the wearer.
As soon as conditions are favorable, the mite is activated. There are a large number of reasons that can provoke the development of demodicosis, it is impossible to figure out on your own what caused the ailment.
The parasite feeds on subcutaneous fat, so it lives on any part of the human body, including the head. Demodex (tick) does not live long, only 2-3 weeks, but during its short life it lays a large number of eggs. After 3 days, many new individuals will hatch from the larvae.
These parasites do not tolerate daylight well, so their activity begins at night. When, under the influence of some reasons, parasites multiply rapidly, they begin to penetrate deeper into the skin tissue, and this causes pathology - demodicosis.
Among other things, ticks can be transmitted from one person to another through contact, using someone else's comb and other personal belongings. Most of the women are at risk for demodicosis.
Without diagnostics, it will not be possible to figure out what caused the development of the disease, ticks are invisible to the naked eye. The waste products of the parasite are the cause of the appearance of unpleasant symptoms. The tick secretes certain enzymes that are quite toxic and adversely affect the composition of human sebum, causing swelling of the skin and other signs of this pathology.
Symptoms of acute demodicosis
The degree of development of the disease directly affects the intensity of the symptoms. The stronger the prevalence of the pathological process, the more pronounced the manifestations will be. At the beginning of the development of the disease, few people notice significant deviations.
Many people think that using shampoo or other hair care product has caused discomfort and dandruff. At the second stage of the disease, it already becomes clear that treatment is needed.
Symptoms depending on the stage:
- The scalp turns red, an itchy sensation appears, the patient often begins to scratch his head, dandruff is noticeable.
- On the surface of the skin in the hair, rashes of small pimples appear, sometimes the face area is affected. Outwardly, the rash is similar to acne. Then, the affected area of the head becomes denser, acne takes the form of papules and pustules.
- The itching becomes unbearable, the patient scratches the affected areas, The skin under the hair seems constantly irritated and inflamed. A network of vessels is noticeable, there is a strong swelling of the skin. Dandruff becomes a lot, it looks like large flakes. Hair gradually falls out.
If a person does not receive treatment, then the symptoms intensify. Over time, ticks become more and more, and, as a result, the amount of their waste products increases, which provokes an increase in symptoms. Among other things, the affected area of demodicosis is also expanding, parasites can move to the area of the skin of the forehead, eyelids, nose and other parts of the body, the patient himself will spread the infection through his hands.
Hair loss
The mite, due to its active reproduction, can lead to partial hair loss and even complete baldness.
Of course, other negative factors affecting the human body, such as a lack of vitamins, chemotherapy, immunodeficiencies of various natures, can also cause hair loss. You can distinguish demodicosis by the following features:
- hair falls out in certain areas;
- in places of loss, bumps, redness are noticeable;
- sensations of movement under the skin;
- the resulting dandruff does not respond to treatment with antifungal shampoos.
Treatment with folk remedies
Not all people are willing to pay a decent amount for an imported demodex tick remedy.There are also cheaper ways to overcome demodicosis on a person's head. The most popular and effective home remedies for treating ailments are:
Folk recipes for demodicosis
- Tar soap. Its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action can relieve itching, redness and pustular formations. Birch tar, which is part of the miraculous soap, heals damaged skin and improves hair growth. Tar soap does not cause allergic reactions, but it does not have a very pleasant smell. Apply lather to damp skin and hair and rub in with massage movements. The procedure can be repeated as needed until the end of the treatment. The price of one bar of soap in any hardware store will be no more than 50 rubles.
- Kerosene is a cardinal way to get rid of any parasites and fungal diseases. This treatment is contraindicated in patients with a high sensitivity to odors and chemicals. Kerosene is applied to the scalp and is not washed off for 3 days. A film forms on the head, which does not allow oxygen to pass through and chemically affects the ticks. This type of fuel for medicinal purposes can be purchased at a price of 80 rubles per liter.
- The use of ichthyol or sulfuric ointment. Treatment with these products is more suitable for men, because it involves shaving baldness. The ointment is applied to the open scalp for several days. The treatment regimen is prescribed by the attending physician. A 500 g can of sulfuric ointment will cost 160 rubles. A 25 g tube of ichthyol ointment costs about 70 rubles.
- Badiaga for external use is a gel, which includes powder from crushed spongy microorganisms, water, glycerin, and fragrances. The gel has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It can be used to treat minor scalp lesions. The cost of a 75 ml tube starts at 70 rubles. Yam ointment has a similar effect.
Badyaga from demodicosis
Treatment of demodicosis of the scalp with the help of grandmother's recipes has a certain effect. But we must not forget about an integrated approach. Treatment only with folk methods will not relieve all symptoms of the disease, and even more so will not eliminate the root cause. Ticks may reappear and treatment must be repeated. It is recommended to use vitamins, healthy food, fruits and vegetables, fermented milk products to cleanse the body of accumulated toxins.
Feedback
Recently I suffered a lot of stress - moving to another city and looking for work. He was nervous, lost his appetite, and had problems with his scalp. Began to itch badly, dandruff fell in flakes. The doctor diagnosed demodectic mange caused by mites. The treatment was prescribed with benzyl benzoate, since I did not have money for expensive shampoos. After two weeks of application, the itching went away and I was on the mend.
Alexey, Sevastopol
How does the disease manifest
It is possible to identify demodicosis on your own only in the phase when the mites begin to actively reproduce. Their life processes will bring a person serious discomfort. The peak of tick activity occurs during the period of emotional overstrain, stressful situations or other factors that cause a decrease in the body's defenses.
Demodectic mange begins rapidly and is characterized by a sharp deterioration in the human condition. That is why you should know the main symptoms of a tick on the head in the hair:
- Itching, burning, feeling of tightness of the skin. The main and very first sign of the disease.
- Dryness of the skin, resulting in dandruff, skin flakes.
- Redness in places affected by mites that does not go away.
- Rash on the scalp. It is manifested by the appearance of red nodules (papules).
- Consolidation of the epidermis.
- Vascular networks can be seen on the skin.
At the initial stage, it is quite problematic to independently diagnose a tick on the head. The symptoms are very similar to the manifestation of dandruff, therefore, instead of competent therapy, only advertised shampoos for seborrhea are used.
The hair mite in humans continues to develop, releasing more and more waste products. In the future, they provoke a response from the body. If the disease is ignored, then in the place of the greatest accumulation of mites, the hair will begin to fall out, and the skin will thicken.
Hair mite on the scalp
Prevention of demodicosis
Any disease is easier to prevent than expensive and long-term treatment. Infection with subcutaneous mites can be prevented with simple preventive measures:
- competent selection of hair cosmetics;
- personal hygiene: washing your hair as it gets dirty, using an individual towel to dry your hair;
- regular washing and hot steam treatment of bed linen;
- airing pillows, blankets, mattresses;
- adherence to the normal daily regimen with 8-hour sleep and breaks for short-term rest;
- proper and balanced nutrition;
- long walks and stay in nature;
- supporting the body by taking vitamins.
All these simple recommendations need to be introduced into a habit and followed constantly. This will prevent not only demodicosis, but also many other diseases. A person himself becomes the culprit of diseases if he does not take his health seriously.
Diagnostics
Demodectic mange is characterized by clinical manifestations that occur in other pathologies. Therefore, before starting treatment, it is important to differentiate these diseases. The final diagnosis is based on the results of the following examination methods:
- Scraping from the problem area. It is used to assess the severity of the lesion.
- Analysis of secretory fluid. Allows you to identify the presence of parasites in the scalp.
- Superficial biopsy. With the help of this method, not only the presence of parasites is established, but also the affected area. Biopsy material is taken from different parts of the head.
- Hair analysis. It is carried out in order to detect parasites in the follicles.
Our readers write
Topic: Parasites are to blame for all the troubles!
From: Elena V.
For the last few years I have been feeling very bad. Constant fatigue, insomnia, some kind of apathy, laziness, frequent headaches. There were also problems with digestion, bad breath in the morning.
And here is my story
All this began to accumulate and I realized that I was moving in some wrong direction. I began to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right, but this did not affect my well-being. The doctors, too, could not really say anything. It seems like everything is normal, but I feel that my body is not healthy.
Then I went to one expensive clinic and passed all the tests, and so in one of the tests I was found to have parasites. These were not ordinary worms, but some specific species, which, according to doctors, almost everyone is infected, to a greater or lesser extent. It is almost impossible to remove them from the body. I drank a course of antiparasitic drugs that were prescribed to me in that clinic, but there was almost no result.
A couple of weeks later, I came across an article on the Internet. This article literally changed my life. I did everything as it was written there and after a few days, I felt significant improvements in my body. I began to get enough sleep much faster, the energy that was in my youth appeared. The head no longer hurts, there is clarity in consciousness, the brain began to work much better. Digestion has improved, in spite of the fact that I now eat at random. I passed the tests and made sure that no one else lives in me!
Who wants to cleanse their body of parasites, and it doesn't matter what types of these creatures live in you - read this article, I'm sure it will help you 100%!
Spregal cream was originally developed as a means of destroying the itch mite. However, further studies have shown that this agent can be used quite effectively in the treatment of demodicosis.
Also, if a person has this skin mite, doctors can prescribe drugs that can be used not only externally, but also internally. These drugs today include Metronidazole. The effectiveness of this remedy and its inexpensive price make it a fairly often used medication when it is necessary to cure demodicosis.
Our readers write
Topic: Parasites are to blame for all the troubles!
From: Elena V.
For the last few years I have been feeling very bad. Constant fatigue, insomnia, some kind of apathy, laziness, frequent headaches. There were also problems with digestion, bad breath in the morning.
And here is my story
All this began to accumulate and I realized that I was moving in some wrong direction. I began to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right, but this did not affect my well-being. The doctors, too, could not really say anything. It seems like everything is normal, but I feel that my body is not healthy.
Then I went to one expensive clinic and passed all the tests, and so in one of the tests I was found to have parasites. These were not ordinary worms, but some specific species, which, according to doctors, almost everyone is infected, to a greater or lesser extent. It is almost impossible to remove them from the body. I drank a course of antiparasitic drugs that were prescribed to me in that clinic, but there was almost no result.
A couple of weeks later, I came across an article on the Internet. This article literally changed my life. I did everything as it was written there and after a few days, I felt significant improvements in my body. I began to get enough sleep much faster, the energy that was in my youth appeared. The head no longer hurts, there is clarity in consciousness, the brain began to work much better. Digestion has improved, in spite of the fact that I now eat at random. I passed the tests and made sure that no one else lives in me!
Who wants to cleanse their body of parasites, and it doesn't matter what types of these creatures live in you - read this article, I'm sure it will help you 100%!
Spregal cream was originally developed as a means of destroying the itch mite. However, further studies have shown that this agent can be used quite effectively in the treatment of demodicosis.
Also, if a person has this skin mite, doctors can prescribe drugs that can be used not only externally, but also internally. These drugs today include Metronidazole. The effectiveness of this remedy and its inexpensive price make it a fairly often used medication when it is necessary to cure demodicosis.
Diet
One of the main factors that provoke the development of Demodexes is unhealthy diet. That is why, in order to prevent the onset of the disease, it is required to revise the diet and remove some foods from it. It is not recommended to use:
- alcohol;
- spicy food;
- carbonated drinks.
Fried and smoked food adversely affects the condition of the skin, increases the production of fat by the sebaceous glands. And this is one of the favorable factors for the development of demodex mites.
The abundance of sugary foods is also an excellent breeding ground for mites.
The condition can be normalized with products such as:
- vegetables;
- porridge;
- milk products;
- lean fish varieties;
- iodized salt.
Drinking plenty of fluids helps cleanse the body. Green tea will be very useful in this case.
