Treatment of demodectic on the face
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
As you know, demodectic is a skin disease, the causative agent of which is a conditionally pathogenic parasitic tick Demodex. The tick lives in the hair follicles, in the mouths of the glands, and is so meager that it is impossible to notice it with the naked eye. In this article we will talk about what is the treatment of demodicosis on the face, we will disassemble the main drugs and drugs used in dermatological practice in relation to this disease.
The scheme of treatment of demodectic face
Treatment of demodectic can be quite long and difficult, since the lifetime of the tick is from 1 to 1 ½ months. Success can be achieved only by following all the recommendations of the doctor, and carefully following the rules of personal hygiene.
The most common treatment options include acaricidal medicines, such as 1-2% yellow mercury ointment, zinc-ichthyol ointment. In practice, medications based on sulfur, tar, ichthyol, benzin benzoate, permethrin 1%, amitrazole, lindane 1%, crotamiton 10% are used. The main disadvantage of acaricidal drugs is their toxic effect on the body.
A good effect is observed from the use of a suspension or gel of 2% metronidazole (synonyms - klyon, metrogil) as an external treatment. Possible and internal reception metronidazole, twice a day for 0.25 mg for 2 weeks.
Hormonal ointments (with corticosteroids) can not be used, because they depress skin protection and favor the reproduction of the pathogen.
Theoretically, any ointment, due to its viscosity, inhibits the motor activity of the tick. However, external drugs should still be selected according to other principles. If secondary infection has joined, external antibacterial and symptomatic therapy is prescribed. Massage is recommended, with the use of burdock oil, regularly for one and a half to three months.
Remedy for demodectic face
For successful recovery, it is important to use a combination of drugs, rather than one remedy. Most often combine the use of external drugs and drugs for oral administration, including medicines to strengthen immunity and to treat major diseases (if necessary).
The following are referred to drugs of systemic influence:
- immunomodulators (pyrogenal, cycloferon, galavit, pentoxyl);
- vitamin-mineral-amino acid complexes (vitrum, alphabet, elevit);
- antiparasitic drugs (ingestion of ornidazole or metronidazole for 2-3 weeks);
- antihistamines (for the removal of sensitization) - tavegil, suprastin, diazolin.
Various solutions are also used for rubbing and treating demodicose-affected skin surfaces:
- Spragal - antimicrobial and antiparasitic aerosol, used usually at night;
- sodium thiosulfate - 60% solution is rubbed into the skin for 10 minutes, usually once every 3 days;
- sulfur-tar alcohol - rubbed into the skin once a day;
- Lindane is a pesticidal preparation that rubs on the night, avoiding the area around the eyes;
- crotamiton - anti-scab, used to rub the skin 1 time per day.
Treatment with ointments and creams usually lasts a long time. Often the doctor prescribes such therapy courses, several courses with weekly breaks. The duration of treatment depends on the neglect and form of the disease, and can last from 1 month to 10-12 months. Therefore, it is recommended to start therapy as early as possible and use several types of drugs at the same time.
Ointment from demodectic face
Ointments for this disease are considered to be one of the most effective means of external treatment. An excellent result can be expected from suspensions, the composition of which is represented by sulfur, tar, mercury, antiprotozoal substances, zinc. These substances paralyze the function of breathing parasites, or simply cause their death. To such ointments it is possible to carry:
- ointments based on metronidazole (clion, metragil);
- antibacterial ointments based on clindamycin, or erythromycin;
- sulfuric ointment - keratolytic and antiparasitic agent, applied to clean skin with a thin layer, lightly rubbing, 2-3 times a day for 2 weeks. The course can be repeated with a break of 5-7 days;
- benzyl benzoate from demodicosis of the face - a suspension that has a toxic effect on ticks. The face skin with benzyl benzoate is treated with caution, avoiding contact with the eyes. After treatment, after 10 minutes, re-treated, then left on the skin, not flushing, minimally for 3 hours;
- ointments based on azelaic acid;
- yellow mercury ointment - 2%, used to lubricate the affected skin areas 2 times a day;
- ichthyol ointment - is used as a 5-30% ointment, which can be combined with salicylic acid or sulfur;
- Wilkinson's ointment - contains tar, calcium carbonate, sulfur, naphthalanic ointment and green soap. Used to lubricate the affected skin;
- zinc or zinc-salicylic ointment.
Cream for demodectic face
Cream Demalan - the most popular cream for demodicosis. It has antibacterial and antidemodecose action. With the help of the cream, you can eliminate inflammatory elements, allergic manifestations on the skin (rash, itching elements), provide for the formation of new signs of the disease, get rid of the burning sensation and general uncomfortable condition.
Demalan is created by unique newest technologies. In its composition there is an extract from chamomile chemist's, olive oil, high-purity glycans and emulsifiers.
The cream is used externally: it is applied to the face and eyelids affected by the disease. The duration of treatment is often one and a half months, with the use of Demalan up to 2 times a day.
It is noted that the cream works more effectively if it is applied to the skin, previously treated twice with a tincture of calendula or eucalyptus. Between treatments tincture, you need to wait 15 minutes, then apply the cream, and after another half hour remove the remnants of the cream with a paper towel. If the cream is applied overnight, the best effect is obtained by washing the face with soap and warm water, after which Demalan is applied to the clean skin.
In people prone to allergic reactions, the cream can cause allergies. Therefore, when you see after the application of the cream sensation of itching, as well as redness of the skin, you should stop using the product and consult a doctor.
Treatment of demodectic face with alternative means
Alternative prescriptions for demodicosis help to get rid of the disease faster, especially if they are used in conjunction with traditional medicine. For example, at home you can easily make an ointment against demodicosis. It is prepared as follows:
- take olive oil, peeled salt and birch tar in equal quantities;
- we mix;
- the mixture obtained by treating the affected area on the face.
This ointment will not only help get rid of the disease, but also improve the general condition of the skin.
A good remedy for demodectic mites is considered an alcohol tincture of calendula. Use it this way: next morning after awakening, you should wash yourself and dry your face with a towel. After 15 minutes, wipe the skin with a cotton disc moistened in tincture. After another 15 minutes, you need to rub your face again. And after 5-10 minutes it is necessary to lubricate the skin with cream Demalan. The cream is left on the face until the evening. Before going to bed, the cream should be washed off with soap and the skin wiped with calendula tincture. According to the reviews, regular use of this treatment for forty days allows you to completely get rid of demodectic infection.
It is useful to wash the infusion of herbs, which includes grass wormwood, celandine and daisy. To make infusion, 1 liter of hot water is taken for 1 tsp. Each herb.
What else can be treated with demodicosis?
- Wipe your face with a cut sheet of aloe.
- To wash with infusion of oak bark (for 200 ml of water 1 tsp of bark).
- Wipe the skin with fresh garlic juice.
- Wipe the skin with your own urine three times a day for three months.
Alternative treatment can really help, but do not rely solely on such prescriptions, refusing to consult a dermatologist. Any treatment is most effective only with a comprehensive approach.
Effective treatment of demodectic face
Correction and certain changes in nutrition will help cure demodicosis more quickly. Without a special diet, it is sometimes difficult to achieve recovery. This is because the improper operation of the digestive system can create favorable conditions for the reproduction of ticks. For this reason, it is important to establish the function of the gastrointestinal tract, which largely depends on what and how we eat.
What is recommended for demodicosis:
- to abandon the products that irritate the walls of the digestive tract (salinity, sharp and smoked dishes, alcohol);
- drastically reduce or completely eliminate the use of sweets, even honey, since the sweet environment promotes the active life of the mite;
- should avoid highly allergenic products such as oranges, tangerines, cocoa, etc .;
- It is recommended to use sour-milk products, any kinds of vegetables and moderately sweet fruits;
- it is important to eat enough fiber that can be obtained from vegetables, greens, fruits and berries. Especially good in this regard are broccoli, asparagus, lettuce leaves;
- the use of cereal crops - millet, buckwheat, oats is welcomed. Such products contain many useful vitamins and minerals, as well as complex carbohydrates;
- it is recommended to drink enough fluids: mineral water, tea, herbal infusions, compotes and fruit drinks are also suitable.
In addition to diet, experts recommend carefully follow the rules of personal hygiene, often change bed linens (especially pillow cases). Pillows should preferably be changed from feather and downy to synthetic (sintepon, holofayber), or with other natural fillers, for example, buckwheat husks, herbs, hop cones, etc.
Cryomassage of the face with demodicosis
Since Demodex mite loses its activity at low temperatures, it has been decided to apply cryomassage with liquid nitrogen to treat the disease. This procedure not only immobilizes the mites, but also activates the immune forces, which only strengthens their own skin protection from the disease.
Only from sessions of cryomassage will not be of use: the procedure should be combined with the treatment with antiparasitic medications for external and internal use, which we mentioned earlier.
It is also important to take into account that cryomassage has a number of contraindications:
- cold allergy, excessively sensitive to cold skin;
- the presence of acute or subacute viral or microbial skin lesions (eg, herpes);
- scratches or wounds on the application area of the procedure;
- active tuberculosis;
- ARVI, acute respiratory infections, with the increase in temperature, as well as sinusitis, frontitis, otitis in the acute phase;
- mental abnormalities, phobias.
During pregnancy, cryomassage is not prohibited, but not all specialists will agree to perform procedures for pregnant women. This is due to the fact that the restructuring of the hormonal background and a decrease in immunity, which are usually present during pregnancy, can have unpredictable effects on the results of treatment, and even affect the tone of the uterus.
Therefore cryomassage in the disease is not always prescribed. In some cases, the treatment of demodicosis on the face is successful only with the use of a complex of drug therapy and alternative methods.
[6]