Demodecosis of the head

In this article, we will talk about what demodicosis of the scalp is and whether it is possible to combat this disease.

A fairly common cause of dandruff, irritation and flaking of the skin, as well as hair loss is demodicosis of the head. Demodicosis does not appear on its own: the disease is provoked by microscopic mites, or insects of the genus Demodex. Parasites can live in the skin, glandular and follicular system of the hair, comfortably reproducing and feeding on skin secretions and exfoliated epithelial cells.

Causes demodecosis of the head

According to scientific research, it has been proven that the mite can be found in almost any healthy person. However, the development of demodicosis can begin only when the mite is provided with optimal conditions for reproduction. Most often, this happens when the local immune defense of the skin is reduced: in such a situation, the parasite has the ability to penetrate deep into the layers of the skin.

In addition to the state of the immune system, the physiology of the skin also plays an important role: the function of the sebaceous glands, the composition of sebaceous secretions, concomitant pathologies of the skin, dependence on hormonal balance, etc. The external impact on the scalp is also of considerable importance. For example, demodicosis can develop in women who too often use various chemical reagents and aggressive cosmetics for hair and skin.

As we have already said, the mite settles deep in the skin, where it is able to actively reproduce and release larvae. If you try to remove the manifestations of demodicosis yourself, then on your fingers and hands you can spread the pathogen almost throughout the entire body.

According to the latest experimental studies, we can briefly characterize the development of demodicosis. The iron mite secretes special enzyme substances during its life cycle that can affect the composition of human sebum. In particular, a specific substance is secreted that provokes swelling of the skin. If local immunity is triggered, the swelling is stopped. With a decrease in immune protection, as well as with an increase in the number of parasites to three dozen in one sebaceous gland, a person develops clinical symptoms of demodicosis.

What could be the causes of demodicosis of the head, or, in other words, what could provoke active reproduction of the mite:

• hormonal imbalance;
• long-term treatment with hormonal drugs and antibiotics;
• poorly chosen cosmetics;
• unhealthy diet, with a predominance of sweets and chemical components (preservatives, colorants, stabilizers, etc.);
• abuse of strong coffee and tea;
• excessive consumption of salty foods (chips, crackers, nuts), pepper;
• frequent smoking and drinking alcohol;
• too frequent chemical exposure to the scalp.

The Demodex mite can be transmitted from one carrier to another, both with household items and through handshakes and other direct contacts. However, this does not mean that the sick person should be isolated from society. Let us repeat once again that the pathogen is present on the skin of almost all people, but demodicosis of the scalp develops only when favorable conditions for its vital activity are created.

Symptoms demodecosis of the head

In most patients, symptoms of demodicosis appear in the head area, although the development of the process on the chest and upper back is not excluded.

Demodecosis most often occurs on the head because the most active sebaceous glands are located here, which react very sensitively to changes in immunity, hormonal balance and the general condition of the body. Among the main areas most often affected by demodicosis are the nose, forehead, upper eyelids and scalp.

Symptoms of demodicosis of the head begin with the appearance of rosacea - persistent erythema, in which swelling and redness of the skin surface are observed. Acne elements, nodules, pustules (pink acne rashes) and telangiectasias appear in large quantities simultaneously with rosacea.

The most typical picture of demodicosis is the following:

• persistent redness of the skin;
• the appearance of a rash on the face and scalp, in the form of papules (nodules), pustules (vesicles with purulent contents), acne or pimples;
• thickening of the skin in the affected area;
• the appearance of visible vascular network;
• itching, irritation, tightness of the skin.

Demodicosis of the scalp can manifest itself in the appearance of abundant dandruff, itching, and pimples on the skin in the hair growth zone. This phenomenon is often observed in endocrine disorders (for example, during menopause, when taking hormonal contraceptives), hypovitaminosis, psychoemotional stress, and alcohol abuse.

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Diagnostics demodecosis of the head

Since the iron mite can be found in almost any person, when diagnosing demodicosis of the head, attention is paid not to the presence of the parasite, but to its numbers. For this reason, several diagnostic methods have been developed, each of which has its own pros and cons. The choice of diagnostic method is determined by the doctor individually.

Diagnostic method	Advantages of the method	Disadvantages of the method
Scraping from the affected area of the skin.	Allows you to estimate the affected area and calculate per unit of surface.	It is impossible to estimate the number of parasites that are inside the sebaceous gland.
Analysis of sebaceous gland secretions.	Parasites located inside the sebaceous gland are squeezed out.	The integrity of the skin is damaged, it is impossible to assess the entire surface area.
Superficial biopsy method: a special adhesive substance is applied to a clean glass, with the help of which the glass is glued to the affected area of the skin for 60 seconds. As the adhesive substance dries, the superficial epithelium and elements of the sebaceous glands remain on it.	In this way, it is possible to obtain an analysis from different zones and surfaces, after which the scale of the damage can be calculated.	Sometimes, on certain areas of the head, this method cannot be used.
Skin biopsy method with subsequent histology.	The contents of the sebaceous gland can be extracted.	The integrity of the skin is damaged, making it difficult to assess the condition of a large surface.
Analysis of extracted eyelashes and hair.	The only diagnostic procedure that can detect mites in the hair follicle.	Sometimes the procedure may be accompanied by some pain.

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Treatment demodecosis of the head

In 90% of cases, local medications alone are not enough to treat demodicosis of the head. Treatment should be aimed, firstly, at eradicating the Demodex mite and eliminating the causes of irritation of the skin and hair, and secondly, at strengthening the body's immune defense, stabilizing trophic and metabolic processes in the skin.

Treatment of demodicosis of the head begins with eliminating the causes of the decline in immunity. Depending on the indications, stabilization of the psychoemotional state, elimination of hypovitaminosis, getting rid of alcohol addiction, and nutritional correction can be carried out. Much attention is paid to nervous and endocrine disorders (development of demodicosis during puberty, menopause, when using hormonal contraceptives or with ovarian dysfunction). At the same time, chronic foci of infection in the body are treated, which also have a significant impact on the state of immune protection.

For direct action on the tick, most experts recommend using metronidazole (Trichopolum), orally 0.25 g twice a day, during or immediately after meals. Duration of therapy is up to 6 weeks, and after 14-20 days, it is recommended to repeat the course. Metronidazole causes the death of the iron tick, affecting the muscular system of the parasite. The drug is usually well tolerated by patients. Side effects in the form of loss of appetite, headache, dry mouth, are rare. In between therapeutic courses, it is recommended to take purified sulfur orally 500 mg twice a day with food. Sometimes tinidazole (Fazizhin) is prescribed in the amount of 4 tablets per day for 5 days, as well as hingamin 250 mg twice a day, from 3 to 5 courses of 5 days with breaks of 3 days.

During the treatment period, patients are advised to avoid exposure to sunlight. In case of increased skin sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, injections of nicotinic acid and resorcinol are prescribed at 250 mg twice a day.

In the presence of abscesses and the addition of pyoderma, antibiotics (tetracycline, erythromycin, chloramphenicol) can be prescribed simultaneously with antifungal agents.

In order to strengthen the immune system, drugs containing iron, calcium, phosphorus, xanthinol nicotinate, and multivitamin drugs are prescribed. Vitamins of group B, vitamin C, nicotinic and folic acid, aevit, and brewer's yeast are especially popular for the treatment of demodicosis.

Depending on the indications, tranquilizing and sedative (calming) drugs may be prescribed.

In case of chronic and frequently recurring demodicosis, immunotherapeutic measures are used: autohemotherapy, levamisole, etc.

Nutrition plays a huge role in the successful and complete treatment of demodicosis. It is necessary to exclude spicy, sweet, salty and smoked dishes, as well as alcoholic beverages from the daily menu. It is not recommended to drink or eat too hot food, so as not to allow blood to rush to the face. It is not recommended to allow overeating. It is encouraged to eat dairy products, vegetables and fruits, greens, berries. The closest diet is therapeutic table No. 5.

External treatment of demodicosis of the head may consist of the use of drugs and special shampoos. Of the medications, it is recommended to treat the scalp with 20% benzyl benzoate, sulfur ointment, ichthyol ointment, Wilkinson's ointment. The patient's bedding and hygiene items (bed linen, pillow, towels) must be disinfected.

What should you wash your hair with if you have demodicosis?

We have reviewed the general principles of treating demodicosis of the head. Next, we would like to list the most popular and effective means for washing the head and wiping the face. What to wash the head with for demodicosis:

• tar soap - the ingredients of this soap suppress the activity of the gland, while simultaneously cleansing and nourishing the skin;
• medicinal mixture - "chatterbox": mix 100 g of dimexide, 100 g of distilled water, 10 ground tablets of trichopolum, 10 ground tablets of chloramphenicol, 10 ground tablets of nystatin. Mix and moisten the affected areas twice a day for 14 days;
• Spregal is a special preparation that damages the nervous system of ticks. It is sold in pharmacies. The ingredients of the preparation are esbiol, piperonyl and additional components. The preparation should be applied to the skin, avoiding the treatment of the scalp. Washing is allowed no earlier than 12 hours after treatment. The course of therapy is from one to two weeks.

Washing the skin and hair with a contrast shower, cool herbal infusions, watermelon juice, cucumber, linden flowers and chamomile gives good results.

Shampoo for scalp demodicosis

It is quite difficult to cure demodicosis of the head quickly, since it is difficult to ensure that the medicinal preparations reach hard-to-reach places on the scalp. A shampoo specially designed to combat mites that cause the disease can help to completely treat the hair and affected skin.

Before using any shampoo for demodicosis, it is necessary to take into account some factors:

• shampoo alone will not be enough to get rid of the mite. Complete treatment of demodicosis is necessary, using both external and internal medications;
• Ticks are most active at night, so it is better to plan treatment of the skin and hair for the evening.

Now let's look at the most popular types of shampoos that are aimed at eliminating the symptoms of demodicosis, destroying parasites and restoring affected skin and hair.

• Therapeutic shampoo Demodex Complex - significantly reduces the number of parasites, cleanses the skin from epidermal scales. Can be used both for the treatment of demodicosis and for its prevention.
• Stop Demodex Shampoo – eliminates signs of irritation and inflammation of the skin, inhibits the development of mites and some fungi on the skin. Stop Demodex is applied to wet hair, massaged, rinsed with water and applied again, leaving for a few minutes for a more effective effect. After that, rinse again with plenty of clean water.
• Demodex Ovante shampoo is an American treatment and preventive line. This shampoo contains natural ingredients: sulfur, zinc, extracts from eucalyptus, birch, celandine, beech, tea tree, as well as a complex of vitamins and natural oils. Thanks to natural ingredients, Demodex Ovante does not provoke the development of allergies and has no contraindications for use. The shampoo is used daily at night, for 14-28 days.
• Manting shampoo on a plant basis, made in China. Prevents the growth and reproduction of demodicosis mites, eliminates the consequences of their vital activity, has a general restorative effect on the hair roots and scalp.

For best results, all shampoos should be used regularly, daily, in combination with other external agents prescribed by a dermatologist.

Treatment of demodicosis of the head with folk remedies

Often, along with traditional methods of treatment, treatment of demodicosis of the head with folk remedies is used. We will tell you about the most popular methods now.

• Using kerosene to lubricate and wash the skin. Kerosene is applied to the affected skin for three days, and only then can it be washed off. What does this method provide? Kerosene creates a dense film on the skin, which blocks the tick's access to oxygen, causing it to die. This method cannot be used on irritated and inflamed skin, as this can worsen the condition.
• Using birch tar as an additive to all kinds of ointments, creams, and homemade shampoos. Tar helps get rid of not only demodicosis, but also psoriasis and eczema.
• Use of bodyagi (can be purchased at a pharmacy) to eliminate skin thickenings and inflammatory elements.
• You can prepare the following mask from components that can be purchased at almost any pharmacy: take calendula tincture and Demalon ointment. In the morning, rinse the affected skin with clean water and blot with a towel. After 15 minutes, apply the tincture to the skin, and after another 5 minutes, apply a small amount of Demalon. Do not wash your skin until the evening. In the evening, wash the affected area, wipe with tincture without applying ointment. Thus, it is necessary to repeat the treatment daily for at least a month.

In addition, it is recommended to wash the hair and scalp with infusions of eucalyptus and juniper berries, a decoction of buckthorn bark, an infusion of wormwood, a solution of crushed garlic, an infusion of elecampane. For internal use, infusions and herbal teas with the addition of mint, nettle, plantain, string, etc. are recommended.

Prevention

As a preventive measure against demodicosis and to avoid re-infection with the mite, it is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene and not use other people's bath and bedding. It is important to maintain the body's immunity: avoid hypovitaminosis, eat a balanced diet, promptly treat chronic and acute diseases, dysbacteriosis, and metabolic disorders.

It is preferable to use a sleeping pillow with synthetic fillings, since feather pillows gradually accumulate Demodex mites.

Pillowcases and towels should be ironed with a hot iron as often as possible.

It is not recommended to use scrubs and peelings for the skin more often than once a week, as this disrupts the skin's natural protection and temporarily reduces local immunity.

At night you can wash your face using tar soap.

In the winter-autumn season, it is recommended to take vitamin supplements with selenium and zinc.

It is recommended to give up bad habits (smoking and drinking alcohol), not to overwork, eat a balanced diet, avoid hypothermia and overheating of the skin. In summer, you should wear tinted sunglasses and a hat.

If there is a patient with demodicosis in your immediate environment, you should adhere to special rules of sanitation and hygiene. The patient's bath and bedding should be washed at a temperature of at least +75°C. Pillows must be replaced with synthetic ones, with mandatory periodic washing at a temperature of +40°C. During washing, you can add special acaricidal additives, such as "Akaril" or "Allergof".

Demodicosis of the head is a complex disease associated with the defeat of a parasitic mite and a decrease in the body's defenses. Therefore, the fight against the disease should also be complex, with an impact on the pathogen from both the external and internal sides. A combination of various drugs, local treatment, strengthening the body's immune forces, as well as full adherence to the treatment regimen will necessarily lead to a positive result.

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