By Dr. Kathryn Najafi-Tagol, MD, Founder and Medical Director of the Eye Institute of Marin
Demodex mites are one of the crucial difficult issues that ophthalmologists and optometrists face within the routine care of their sufferers.
Reading: How to use tea tree oil for eyelash mites
Also read: What to add to green tea
© Kalcutta / takeoutfood.finest
These mites are microscopic parasites that stay on eyelids and different elements of the face. One of many two species, Demodex folliculorum, buries itself face down close to the roots of eyelashes. It makes use of a seven-clawed organ (a “palpus”) to seize maintain of cells. Then it feasts on the cells that line the follicle, sucking out their innards with a retractable needle in the course of a spherical mouth.
The waste materials the mites produce builds up as particles on the eyelids and causes irritation.
As well as, the D. folliculorum usually carries Staphylococcus and Bacillus oleronius micro organism.
Also read: What to add to green tea
© Kalcutta / takeoutfood.finest
The mixture of mites and micro organism causes blepharitis, a situation suffered by greater than 20 million People, the place the eyes turn into crimson, irritated and painful, and crusty particles builds up on the eyes.
In the meantime, the opposite species, Demodex brevis, burrows into meibomian gland to feed, typically plugging up this significant gland. The gland produces an oily substance that’s essential to preserve tears from evaporating. Consequently, the D. brevis mites are related to meibomian gland illness, often known as dry eye.
These parasites are widespread. One research discovered them in 25% of 20-year-olds, 30% of 50-year-olds and 100% in sufferers older than 90 years outdated.
My very own sufferers are normally horrified after I inform them that there are tiny parasites, that are family of ticks, spiders, and scorpions, feasting on cells round their eyes.
So how can we battle these parasites? There are a number of approaches, which could be mixed to assault the mites on a number of fronts:
Table of Contents
Tea Tree Oil
At excessive concentrations, tea tree oil is a potent killer of Demodex mites. The issue is that options of 100% tea oil, or different excessive concentrations, are very irritating to the attention. So one method is to completely wipe the eyelashes and eyebrows with a diluted answer of tea tree oil, from 5% to 50%. We will additionally first use an anesthetic eyedrop to minimize the irritation from the tea tree oil.
In a single research, a day by day lid wipe with a 5% answer of tea tree oil diminished each the numbers of mites and the perceived itchiness of the eyes.3 Till not too long ago, tea tree oil was the primary technique of maintaining the mites in test.
Antibiotics & Steroids
An antibiotic steroid ointment may also help stop the mites from shifting. It could even suffocate them. The mixture of antibiotics and steroids can be a typical remedy for blepharitis. The steroid reduces irritation, which is brought on by the mites, the micro organism, and coverings like tea tree oil wipes. As well as, the antibiotic helps management the micro organism.
Also read: Starbucks for non coffee drinkers
The issue with this method is that steroids can worsen glaucoma, whereas persistent use of antibiotics can result in the event of micro organism which are proof against the antibiotics.
Hypochlorous Acid
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a naturally occurring substance produced by white blood cells as a primary protection in opposition to microbial invaders. Its antimicrobial properties had been acknowledged greater than 100 years in the past, when options containing HOCl had been used to fight infections within the wounds of troopers injured in WWI.
Solely not too long ago, nevertheless, has it been attainable to fabricate a steady, pure model of HOCl. HOCl has potent antimicrobial properties. Laboratory research present that it successfully kills the nymph type of the Demodex mites, in addition to the Bacillus oleronius and Staphylococcus aureus micro organism that stay on eyelids and which are discovered contained in the Demodex intestine. As well as, HOCl additionally neutralizes the inflammatory toxins launched by each mites and micro organism.
Furthermore, in contrast to tea tree oil, HOCl is totally non-toxic and non-irritating.
© Nyrelle Hawkins / takeoutfood.finest
Dwelling Hygiene
Treating eyes and eyelids can deliver fast aid to sufferers, lots of whom have suffered from Demodex mites, blepharitis, or dry eye for years.
However there are additionally steps sufferers can take at dwelling to additional cut back the issue. I like to recommend washing sheets and pillowcases in scorching water and drying with the most well liked attainable dryer setting to kill the mites which may in any other case leap from bedding to faces. In some instances, it would even assist to get new pillows. Sufferers may additionally take into account not utilizing make-up for per week, and discarding their outdated make-up.
Many docs fear that sufferers gained’t adjust to the therapies they advocate. However I discover that after I describe to sufferers how parasites are burrowing into their cells and feasting on their our bodies, particularly if I present them photos of the microscopic creatures, I get their consideration and their full cooperation. As well as, if the remedy is irritating like tea tree oil merchandise, the sufferers are much less prone to be compliant; nevertheless, if the remedy feels snug and makes the eyelids really feel extra refreshed, the sufferers usually tend to adhere to the regime.
And the excellent news is that, after years of preventing mites and treating persistent blepharitis, new approaches are making it extra doubtless that we are able to lastly successfully management these circumstances.
Also read: How to make a tea cozy
