Tick on the skin of the eyelids: diagnostic methods, methods for treating eyelash demodicosis and preventing the disease
Often people who suffer chronically from blepharitis and other inflammations of the eyelids do not seek medical help for a long time. At the same time, few people know that such diseases can be caused by parasites. Often, treatment is ineffective because the cause of the disease has not been identified. With recurrent inflammation of the eyes, it is important to exclude the infectious cause of the problem, for this you need to know what a microscopic mite looks like on the eyelashes.
Content
- What are eyelash mites
- Interciliary tick: causes of the development of the disease
- Risk group
- Eyelash mites symptoms
- Facial mites: what is the diagnosis of eye demodicosis based on?
- Demodex on eyelashes: laboratory diagnostics
- Ticks on eyelashes treatment
- Tick on the eyelids: eye hygiene
- Complications
- Prevention of demodicosis
What are eyelash mites
They are microscopic parasites of the genus Demodex. They live in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of each person, with a decrease in immunity, exacerbation of chronic diseases, hormonal disruptions, they become active, causing unpleasant symptoms in a person.
What do eyelash mites look like?
Visually, ticks are not determined due to their microscopic size (0,2-0,5 mm.). However, the consequences of parasitism on human eyelashes are noticeable:
- crusts and scales on the eyelashes;
- thickening of the edge of the eyelid;
- loss of eyelashes;
- frequent occurrence of holazion, conjunctivitis.
Eyelash mites: features
Demodex has a high viability: it can live in a humid environment at a temperature of +12-15 degrees for up to 25 days. Under unfavorable conditions, it falls into a state of suspended animation. As a rule, demodicosis of the eyelids is chronic and worsens in autumn and spring. Treatment is long and takes at least 2 months.
How are ticks transmitted on the face?
You can become infected with demodex through direct contact when using someone else's cosmetics, combs, towels, bedding. However, if the parasites have moved into a foreign body, they may not begin to manifest themselves immediately.
Interciliary tick: causes of the development of the disease
The reason for the development of the disease is the active reproduction of the parasite. There are several reasons for the increase in Demodex activity. Conventionally, they can be divided into external and internal.
Eye mites: external causes
The disease can develop as a result of the influence of negative factors from the outside, and often external and internal causes are combined. External factors in the development of demodicosis include:
Wrong choice of cosmetics.
Favorable temperature conditions for the parasite (demodex reproduces most actively in a warm environment).
Wrong lifestyle: lack of regimen, frequent stress, bad habits.
Use of low quality cosmetics.
High level of environmental pollution.
Tick in eyelashes: internal causes
Internal factors in the development of demodicosis:
- weakening of the body's defenses, exhaustion associated with frequent stress, malnutrition, previous diseases, immune pathologies;
- infectious diseases in a chronic form (tuberculosis, hepatitis);
- helminth infection - parasites suppress the immune system;
- malignant neoplasms: with oncology, the body is depleted, as a result of which it becomes more difficult for it to resist infections;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: the connection between the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and demodicosis has been proven;
- the presence of other skin diseases: scabies, dermatitis, etc. - in violation of the integrity of the skin, its inflammation increases the risk of developing pathogenic flora;
- hormonal imbalance.
Risk group
Demodicosis can develop in anyone, but there is a particular risk group. It includes:
- children;
- aged people;
- persons with a weakened immune system;
- pregnant.
Eyelash mites symptoms
Demodicosis of the eyes and eyelids is manifested as follows:
- redness of the eyelids, thickening of their edge;
- eyelash loss resulting from damage to the hair follicles;
- redness of the eyes, dryness of the mucous membrane;
- pain in the eyes, which feels like a foreign body in the eye;
- sticking of eyelashes;
- the formation of yellowish crusts on the eyelids after sleep.
In the advanced stages of the disease, mites can move to the face, which causes scaly areas with severe itching on the skin.
Symptoms may be aggravated after taking a hot bath, visiting a bath or sauna, or prolonged exposure to the sun. This is due to the fact that demodax mites begin active reproduction at high temperatures.
Facial mites: what is the diagnosis of eye demodicosis based on?
Diagnosis of demodicosis is based on a laboratory study, and an ophthalmologist also takes into account specific symptoms.
Demodex on eyelashes: laboratory diagnostics
Laboratory diagnostics involves the analysis of the secretion of the sebaceous glands and the contents of the pustules.
Demodicosis of eyelashes: a technique for carrying out
There are several ways to diagnose demodectosis of the eyelids:
Parasites on eyelashes: interpretation of results
Demodicosis is diagnosed if more than 1 tick is found on 2-3 eyelashes or 5 adults, larvae or eggs per 1 cm2 skin cover.
Ticks on eyelashes treatment
As mentioned above, the treatment of a tick on the eyelashes is long and requires an integrated approach.
Eye mite drug treatment
Drug treatment of memodectosis includes the use of special creams, ointments, physiotherapy, eyelid massage, which improve the outflow of secretions from the meibomian glands. In addition, the doctor may prescribe antimicrobials, antibiotics, antihistamines.
Ointment from subcutaneous tick
Demalan ointment fights ear mites quite effectively: it is recommended to combine its use with a light massage of the eyelids. Before the procedure, you should cleanse the skin with calendula tincture, then apply the preparation to the skin with light massage movements.
The course of treatment is 20 days, you need to apply the cream twice a day. Next, you need to take a break for 14 days, and then continue treatment using the drug "Blefarogel 2".
The product should be used in the same way: apply to the skin of the eyelids with light massage movements, after cleansing it.
Physio procedures help to speed up the healing process: electrophoresis, magnetotherapy. In addition, attention should be paid to supporting the immune system, the work of the gastrointestinal tract. At the time of treatment, it is necessary to abandon the use of decorative cosmetics, visits to the bath, dignity. Also, special attention should be paid to personal hygiene.
How to treat a subcutaneous tick on the face with folk remedies
There are also folk recipes for getting rid of the subcutaneous parasite. However, as an independent method, they are ineffective and can only be used as an aid.
Ticks in the eyes: compresses
For the treatment of blepharitis, you can use warm green or black tea compresses - this helps to warm the glands and increase the outflow of secretions. The compress should be warm, but not hot, so as not to cause a burn. You should first cleanse the skin of the eyelids with nastem of calendula or eucalyptus.
Tick on the eyelids: eye hygiene
Demodicosis is contagious, so every effort must be made to prevent re-infection and not infect others, special attention must be paid to eye hygiene. Key recommendations:
- the use of individual bed linen, towels, etc., their thorough sanitary treatment;
- daily washing and heat treatment of pillowcases;
- refusal to use mascara, contact lenses, if it is necessary to wear glasses, they must be disinfected daily, as well as the case in which they are stored;
- wash with disposable wipes;
- limit contact with animals;
- daily clean the skin of the eyelids from peeling and crusts: for this you can use a baby shampoo that dissolves in water, the treatment is carried out using a cotton pad soaked in the solution.
Complications
It is important to remember that demodicosis is a chronic disease. And if the symptoms have disappeared, this does not mean that they will not reappear soon. Many patients, feeling relieved, stop treatment on their own, however, incorrect therapy or its absence can cause serious complications of blepharitis:
- loss of eyelashes, their abnormal growth;
- recurrent acne and psoriasis;
- chronic blepharoconjunctivitis;
- holazion;
- spread of the disease to surrounding tissues;
- cicatricial deformities of the eyelid;
- reduction and complete loss of vision.
Prevention of demodicosis
It is possible to prevent demodicosis of the eyelids, for this it is necessary to follow a number of recommendations:
- observe the rules of personal hygiene, always use only individual items;
- a complete, healthy diet - this allows the body to maintain defenses at the required level;
- do not use low-quality decorative and care cosmetics;
- protect your eyes from the sun's rays with the help of special means and sunglasses.
Particular attention should be paid to prevention in people who have already been diagnosed with an eyelash mite, since the likelihood of its reappearance is very high.
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