Diagnosing Ocular Demodicosis
PricelistGENERAL INFORMATION
Demodex is a small parasite that inhabits human skin. It causes a disease called demodicosis (or demodicidosis).
Demodex is a mite, and although it measures only about a quarter of a millimeter, it can cover a distance of more than a centimeter and a half in a single day. It lives for about 18-25 days, laying about 20 eggs. The parasite passes through several stages of development, and all its developmental forms feed on dead cells of the skin epithelium, plasma and sebum.
Demodex mites live in the sebaceous glands, especially around the face and ears, and in the hair follicles. As for the eye, they choose eyelashes, where they plunge their mouth into the hair follicle. If the number of parasites is large and there is not enough space in the follicle, the hair is displaced or it falls out.
Symptoms of demodicosis include eyebrow and eyelash loss, itching, redness and irritation of the eyelid skin, sometimes combined with chronic inflammation.
Not all people who have demodex develop demodicosis. Demodex can also reside on the skin without causing inflammatory symptoms or other ocular problems. It all depends on individual susceptibility to the disease and local immunity.
Important! The presence of demodex on the skin is also very often the cause of dermatological problems in the form of facial redness, blemishes or acne.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Testing for ocular demodicosis is especially recommended for patients who struggle with eyelash loss, red and irritated eyelid margins, inflamed eyelids, and recurrent chalazions. It may also be needed by those complaining about dermatological problems in the form of facial redness, blemishes or acne.
Testing for ocular demodicosis involves a microscopic evaluation of an eyelash or epidermis sample taken from the patient. Demodex can be seen well under magnification, the stages of their development can be differentiated, and the size of infestation assessed.
Routes of infection
Nużeniec dzięki niewielkim rozmiarom ciała unosi się w powietrzu i łatwo przywiera do spoconej lub tłustej skóry. Innym źródłem zakażenia może być używanie odzieży, ręcznika, czy pościeli osoby zakażonej.
Treatment
Jeżeli organizm nie jest w stanie samodzielnie zwalczyć zakażenia, należy wdrożyć odpowiednią terapię. Leczenie demodekozy jest długotrwałe i wymaga stosowania odpowiednich preparatów (maści, płyny) oraz skrupulatnej higieny powiek. Leczenie z reguły prowadzimy przez około 2 miesiące z dwutygodniową przerwą, tak żeby objąć kolejne fazy rozwoju pasożyta.
How to reduce the risk of Demodex reinfection
- avoid sharing personal items,
- change your bedding often, especially the pillowcase you sleep on,
- don’t use testers (especially mascara, cosmetic applicators) in cosmetic drugstores,
- consult your doctor about facial skin changes and increased eye discomfort.