How Long Can Demodex Mites Live Without a Host
Founder and Medical Managing director of the Heart Plant of Marin
By Dr. Kathryn Najafi-Tagol, Md, Founder and Medical Director of the Middle Institute of Marin
Demodex mites are 1 of the virtually challenging bug that ophthalmologists and optometrists face in the routine intendance of their patients.
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These mites are microscopic parasites that live on eyelids and other parts of the face. One of the two species, Demodex folliculorum, buries itself confront down near the roots of eyelashes. Information technology uses a seven-clawed organ (a "palpus") to take hold of hold of cells. Then it feasts on the cells that line the follicle, sucking out their innards with a retractable needle in the center of a round mouth.
The waste product the mites produce builds up every bit debris on the eyelids and causes inflammation.
In add-on, the D. folliculorum typically carries Staphylococcus and Bacillus oleronius bacteria.
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The combination of mites and bacteria causes blepharitis, a condition suffered by more than than 20 million Americans, where the eyes become carmine, irritated and painful, and crusty droppings builds up on the optics.
Meanwhile, the other species, Demodex brevis, burrows into meibomian gland to feed, ofttimes plugging up this crucial gland. The gland produces an oily substance that's necessary to keep tears from evaporating. As a result, the D. brevis mites are associated with meibomian gland disease, also known every bit dry eye.
These parasites are common. One written report found them in 25% of 20-yr-olds, 30% of 50-year-olds and 100% in patients older than 90 years erstwhile.
My own patients are usually horrified when I tell them that there are tiny parasites, which are relatives of ticks, spiders, and scorpions, feasting on cells around their eyes.
So how tin can we fight these parasites? There are several approaches, which can exist combined to attack the mites on multiple fronts:
Tea Tree Oil
At high concentrations, tea tree oil is a strong killer of Demodex mites. The problem is that solutions of 100% tea oil, or other high concentrations, are very irritating to the eye. So one arroyo is to thoroughly wipe the eyelashes and eyebrows with a diluted solution of tea tree oil, from 5% to 50%. We tin can besides first use an anesthetic eyedrop to lessen the irritation from the tea tree oil.
In one study, a daily lid wipe with a v% solution of tea tree oil reduced both the numbers of mites and the perceived itchiness of the eyes.three Until recently, tea tree oil was the main method of keeping the mites in check.
Antibiotics & Steroids
An antibiotic steroid ointment can assistance prevent the mites from moving. It may even suffocate them. The combination of antibiotics and steroids is likewise a standard treatment for blepharitis. The steroid reduces inflammation, which is caused past the mites, the bacteria, and treatments like tea tree oil wipes. In improver, the antibody helps command the bacteria.
The problem with this arroyo is that steroids tin worsen glaucoma, while chronic use of antibiotics can lead to the evolution of bacteria that are resistant to the antibiotics.
Hypochlorous Acrid
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a naturally occurring substance produced by white blood cells as a first defense against microbial invaders. Its antimicrobial properties were recognized more than 100 years ago, when solutions containing HOCl were used to combat infections in the wounds of soldiers injured in WWI.
Only recently, however, has information technology been possible to manufacture a stable, pure version of HOCl. HOCl has potent antimicrobial properties. Laboratory studies evidence that it effectively kills the nymph form of the Demodex mites, equally well as the Bacillus oleronius and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that alive on eyelids and that are establish within the Demodex gut. In addition, HOCl likewise neutralizes the inflammatory toxins released by both mites and bacteria.
Moreover, different tea tree oil, HOCl is completely non-toxic and not-irritating.
© Nyrelle Hawkins / Shutterstock.com
Home Hygiene
Treating optics and eyelids can bring quick relief to patients, many of whom accept suffered from Demodex mites, blepharitis, or dry eye for years.
Simply there are also steps patients can take at home to further reduce the problem. I recommend washing sheets and pillowcases in hot h2o and drying with the hottest possible dryer setting to kill the mites that might otherwise jump from bedding to faces. In some cases, it might fifty-fifty assist to get new pillows. Patients might too consider non using makeup for a week, and discarding their old makeup.
Many doctors worry that patients won't comply with the treatments they recommend. But I observe that in one case I describe to patients how parasites are burrowing into their cells and feasting on their bodies, especially if I show them pictures of the microscopic creatures, I get their attention and their complete cooperation. In addition, if the handling is irritating like tea tree oil products, the patients are less likely to be compliant; however, if the therapy feels comfortable and makes the eyelids feel more than refreshed, the patients are more likely to adhere to the regime.
And the skillful news is that, afterwards years of fighting mites and treating chronic blepharitis, new approaches are making it more than probable that we can finally effectively command these conditions.
Sources
- blogs.discovermagazine.com/.../#.Vso1oTZWihV
- http://www.onjoph.com/english language/demodex.html
Further Reading
- All Mites Content
Disclaimer: This commodity has not been subjected to peer review and is presented every bit the personal views of a qualified practiced in the subject in accord with the general terms and condition of apply of the News-Medical.Net website.
Source: https://www.news-medical.net/health/New-Approaches-for-Fighting-Demodex-Mites.aspx
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