Ailment: Mites (demodex mites)
Remedy: Coconut oil
Coconut oil. Detailed discussion on composition, health properties, digestive benefits, health benefits, traditional home remedies, warnings on use.
Comment posted by Barbara of Salt Lake City, UT, USA on 25 February 2023 at 23:13 5424
As I read all this information, I realize that most people are very confused about Demodex and the remedies. I believe that is because the skin conditions they cause vary, just like any other disease, from mild to severe. What works in a flash for some people doesn’t work at all for others because of the severity. There is a list of things that kill Demodex mites, but Demodex mites are a reflection of how well, or poorly your immune system is working. The immune system attacks these normal skin mites if they get out of control. If you are sick with anything that disrupts the immune system, it doesn’t have to be a disease it can be a temporary condition, the mites can grow large enough to plainly see without a microscope. They are actually a good indicator of weak immune health. The very large mites usually occur with a severe infestation and horrible rash. People who only have rosacea or a mild condition will most like not see visible mites. It really annoys me when people say they are never visible. Not normally, of course, but in severe cases you most definitely see them! Just because a person isn’t experiencing visible mites, doesn’t mean they don t exist.
Comment posted by Ada of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong on 24 October 2022 at 3:52 5391
YES
I got something that looks like mild chronic urticaria / hives for last 3 years. It starts itching at night and I get these random super itchy mosquito bite-like marks on my face, neck, around breasts, pubic areas, hair and my back. Some bites last for months, others disappear very fast. Sometimes they appear in some really unusual areas, like on my ears and eyelids. My eyelids have been somewhat swollen for several years, too, but no signs of eye infection, it looks to me as some allergy, but I have none... After trying all natural and pharmaceutical therapies for urticaria, did countless dermatologist visits, all possible health tests, I was left with no solution! At least I know I am super healthy now, after all these tests. Recently I started using coconut oil and sugar scrub in my evening shower, to exfoliate skin and I noticed a huge relief in itching and new bite marks for next 24 hours. I apply it all over my body, except face because coconut oil clogs my face pores. After 5 mins I rinse it off. This made me think that my itch may be connected to demodex and am now trying tea tree oil in my after bath oils mixture grapeseed oil with a bit of essential oils like frankincense, lavender, peppermint, pomegranate seed, jojoba and now tea tree oil, too. Coconut oil and sugar shower scrub definitely provides a great relief for my skin itch! It also leaves skin beautiful. I use it every 3-4 days now, but thinking to try only coconut oil without glycolic every day.
Comment posted by Di of Athens, Ontario, Canada on 5 August 2022 at 17:57 5376
I too suffer from intense itching, crawling and sores. I have tried sulfur soap, Permethrin cream. For instant relief, I used rubbing alcohol all over my body after a shower. I have used a heat rub cream the kind for sore muscles. I rub it in and I get all kinds of debris coming from my skin. It is not a cure but seems to remove them. I have taken oral Canesten for yeast infection which I wondered if I too had a yeast overgrowth, seeing as I had infection on my feet. I tried to treat it from the inside instead of outside. This slowed things for a while but my foot fungus is back. I have had this over three years, wondered if it happened after getting a flu shot or a cat bite. We also got chickens so I wondered if its chicken mites? Been to my family doctor a few times, no answer and am on a wait list with dermatologist. Praying for all of us. I too, am at my wits end.
Comment posted by Tagscreen of San Diego , California , USA on 26 August 2021 at 6:0 5310
I've struggled with Demodex mites for nearly two years. My doctor's diagnosis was scabies. Permethrin cream didn't work at all in fact I think they enjoyed eating it! I too started researching because of my diabetes - others had said I must have diabetic neuropathy that can mimic the creepy crawly feeling. The entire time bathing or showering just made it worse. I found a bed bug one day and it put me on the hunt for bugs that infested humans. The Demodex mites symptoms are spot on. I recently found out I've had Candida Glabrata which is the worst yeast infection. Recent studies have found that mental illness has now been associated with yeast overgrowth. I definitely agree with getting the yeast under control before anything else. To add insult to injury I'm allergic to all gluten foods, therefore, my diet is consistent with anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory foods. Zinc-rich foods should be limited because they makes hormones elevate and that's what causes our sebaceous glands to over-produce sebum that these mites crave. My best food friend is chicory root or the inulin by itself. Whether it's made from the root or blue agave is your preference. I'm waiting for payday to buy boric acid suppositories as my pharmacist recommended. I hope this helps someone because I'm determined to rid myself of this awful mite infestation! Thanks for sharing your stories as well! Good luck.
Reply from David Niven Miller:
1. Zinc-rich foods help your immune system to control both mites and fungal infection.
2. Instead of buying boric acid capsules, read the Grow Youthful web page on
Borax
, which is a fraction of the cost.
Comment posted by Chaos Is of Toledo, OR, USA on 19 February 2021 at 0:42 5292
YES
I'm not sure which type of mite that I have because my Dr thinks I'm a little nuts simply because he cannot see what I can. I have been dealing with them off and on for about 4 years. I am a pre-diabetic. Stress sometimes gets the better of me as I suffer from anxiety disorder, OCD, severe depression and untreated ADHD. I use salicylic acid in an acne scrub. I use it in the shower. Just leave it on for two to five minutes and it brings them to the surface. It stings a little but only because it's working. I recently began using 50-50 vinegar water mixture to spray my furniture and perimeter inside my home. As well as, using it to clean the mold from the walls and window sills. This is when I notice the mites in my hair to be terrifyingly uncontrollable. I honestly can say, I have tried most of the treatments on the list. Coconut oil in my conditioners really helps, and tea tree oil helps some of the time. I am constantly doing laundry and changing my clothes and bedding. I vacuum several times a day. Even my front porch. Ugh. Good luck everyone. May you find peace and clarity soon.
Comment by David Niven Miller: your heavy laundering, cleaning and vacuuming are unnecessary. Read the Grow Youthful web pages detailing the three main types of human skin mites to see how they are transmitted. Stress and anxiety weaken your immune system and are probably the main cause of the mite build up.
Comment posted by David Niven Miller of Perth, WA, Australia on 3 June 2020 at 15:8 5231
Hi Roberta,
The exact formula that each of these proprietary sprays uses is the reason they can charge a lot for them. In your previous comment I added a list of the ingredients used in your spray, which as you said has not cured you 100%. However, from the hundreds of comments on the Demodex mite pages at this Grow Youthful forum, visitors have shared which ingredients they have found to be effective. You will have to experiment yourself with your own combinations. I wish you well, and many visitors here will be interested to hear of your results. David
Question posted by Roberta of Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on 3 June 2020 at 8:45 5230
Hi David and thank you....is there a summary on which of these ingredients are required to kill mites so that we can re-create it ourselves? It's been extremely expensive but I have had a severe infestation which was allowed to grow from 2012-2019 when I finally stopped the prescribed opioid from my prior PCP and Lyme doctor.
Comment posted by Roberta of Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on 2 June 2020 at 12:24 5229
YES
Just sharing my Demodex experience. In 2012 they appeared at the same time as Lyme and co-infections and my doctor prescribed an opioid instead of trying to figure the crawling sensation. In 2019 I found this page and read everyone's story and treatment. You all gave me hope. I started using Ungex spray in November 2019. It is very expensive but it works somewhat. I am not 100% nor do I expect to be given my immune issues, so I'll be on a maintenance protocol forever as I'm now 75. But I came back to this page to not only share how the spray has worked for me but to share another way to treat these mites. Buy a high frequency hand-held machine. I bought one for $18 from Wish. It clears hair follicles and pores of bacteria and it can make the spray, or any skin treatment go deeper into the skin. Demodex brevis lives very deep in the pore, so topical treatments may not reach them. But the machine will. I want to thank you all again as your comments really helped me.
Note from David Niven Miller website owner: if you search for 'ungex ingredients' you will get a pdf list from their website which they are required by law to provide in Australia. The main active ingredients have previously been discussed on this forum. They are sold as a convenient and expensive combination spray with additional preservatives, solvents and moisturisers: Water, Polysorbate 20, glycerin, geraniol (from rose, palmarosa or citronella oil), phenoxyethanol, propylene glycol, benzyl alcohol, melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil (tea tree oil), diazolidinyl urea, citric acid, cocos nucifera (coconut oil) with some of these ingredients acting as preservatives, solvents and moisturisers.
Comment posted by Beverly of Orlando, FL, USA on 12 March 2019 at 7:25 5125
After reading the comments on page 1 I have to tell all of you that you CAN'T see demodex mites with the naked eye! The only way to see them is under a microscope. Also the mites are white or clear not black .
Comment posted by Frankie of St Paul, MN, USA on 20 November 2018 at 2:25 5102
YES
I’ve used coconut oil quite a few times to aid with mites or some other type of head parasite. I’m not sure exactly what they are. I can’t get a doctor or vet (my dog has also had problems with skin and hair) to help diagnose what they are. The critters seem to be layered meaning when they started several years ago, there was a flea on my dog, and then other types of parasites that he dog was also treated for. Now, I’ve noticed several different types of critters on myself, mites, maybe lice, and some sort of a flat bug which could be a nymph, but I can’t identify what it is even at the adult stage. Anyhow, I’ve used coconut oil quite a few times and have left it in my hair overnight, covered with a plastic hair cover. This helps break up the glue from the parasites. When I’ve gone to wash my hair after, I need to wash several times because of all of the glue in my hair, but the coconut oil absolutely does break it up. It also smothers the bugs. I don’t think it kills the mites because they burrow into the skin.
