Ailment: Mites (demodex mites)
Remedy: Witch hazel
Comment posted by Che of Baltimore, MD, USA on 24 August 2022 at 3:17 5379
YES
I have been struggling with treating these little devils for the last few months. I was a full time Lyft driver and I believe one of my passengers passed them along to me. It was so bad that I felt that I had to stay away from people completely. What I found that works for me is castile soap with a few drops of tea tree oil added. I chew a whole clove of garlic every day. I use coconut oil with a few drops of TTO on my skin and witch hazel with TTO on my face after bathing. I am reducing stress and eating healthier, no liquor drinking or cigarette smoking.
I clean excessively with bleach everywhere at least twice a day, drying sheets and clothes often. I detail my car twice a week while spraying the interior down with homemade TTO spray.
I am mostly free of the mites after several weeks with this routine. You have to be aggressive and excessive but I promise you, it will work.
Reply from David Niven Miller
There is no need for all the cleaning for a mite infection. Read the Grow Youthful web page on mites and the paragraph on mite transmission. No need to clean house, car etc.
Comment posted by David Niven Miller of Perth, WA, Australia on 6 December 2021 at 12:8 5322
Reply to SincityBetty of Las Vegas
It probably doesn t make much difference. I mostly use a cotton bud to apply witch hazel. The main thing is that you can monitor how much you are applying and control the dose.
Question posted by SincityBetty of Las Vegas, NV, USA on 6 December 2021 at 11:18 5321
How to use the witch hazel? Pour directly over my scalp? Apply with cotton ball to face? Or mist face with sprays of witch hazel? What do you recommend?
Comment posted by L of Tacoma, WA, USA on 21 May 2020 at 2:8 5227
YES
My son insists on taking his dog to a particular location with a known flea problem. Struggle as I have, I am not able to rid the things as fast as he brings home a new batch. I believe that they have caused mites. The dogs is in misery and so am I. I bought the eyelid wipes with tree tea oil and coconut oil, that has helped my eyes immensely. I then apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment just before I turn out the light. Note that a surgeon recommended that I use antibiotic ointment after eye surgery years ago so I know its safe. I realize these measures do not address the root problem. I was awakened last night scratching and quickly used Witch Hazel in desperation. Thank God, it worked. Now I will try to find non-alcoholic version for the dog. I have several other items to try before I give up and move in desperation.
Comment posted by Kate of Petaluma, CA, USA on 29 April 2020 at 16:28 5219
YES
I just figured out that I have mites. I wondered why I kept getting a red bump or two that would last over a week, itchy eyes and nose from time to time. I have arthritis so I tried an Epsom Salt bath and rinsed my hair in the salt water. Well, a day later I broke out in red pimples all over my face. The bumps hurt if I rub my face. My eyes are itchy and dry but my tear duct is watery. Each day I had more bumps. I researched for 2 days and finally realized it is mites. I think the salt bath made them come out and attack my face. I had witch hazel so I tried it today and I can feel it working already.
Question posted by Sonya of Seattle , Washington , USA on 8 April 2020 at 5:11 5216
After using the witch hazel do you wash it out of your hair or leave it in your hair?
Comment posted by Maddie of Norwich, Norfolk, UK on 14 February 2020 at 20:10 5204
YES
Many thanks to the guy who recommended witch hazel. I used it with success and unlike tea tree oil, it is not so likely to have side effects on your skin or scalp. I also used bicarb of soda and spread Vaseline on my face overnight as Vaseline is one thing you can use on your eyes safely. Hope everyone reading this site gets rid of demodex mites real soon!
Comment posted by Barbara of Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany on 16 January 2020 at 0:39 5195
Dear JO of Springville, UT, USA, thank you for your advice on using dog shampoo and witch hazel. I will try that for sure. I too have the same problems with demodex mites as you do and I have been searching for a cure. I have been using acne products that contain salicylic acid and that helps but it doesn't get rid of them completely. You can see mites if you buy a magnifying mirror that's magnifies at least 10 times depending on your eyesight you might need one that magnifies more. I also read that we should use oil-free cream because we would actually feed the mites with the oils we put on our skin. I use acne night creams that are oil-free and they are good for me even though I have dry skin. I live in Germany so please excuse any mistakes in my writing. If you find a cure please share! Thank you!
Comment posted by JO of Springville, UT, USA on 31 May 2019 at 4:6 5155
Dear Tiny of Skokie, IL,
I read your story today and personally can empathise with this demodex condition. I have been a fellow sufferer for 5 yrs now, and received similar help from Dr as you have. Most derm doctors are still clueless and immediately believe it is delusional parasitosis. It is sad and frustrating to be offered dangerous antipsychotic drugs to conceal the real condition. I warn you now to begin your research and know that once they overpopulate your hair, then face, the condition usually worsens and affects the entire body, every sebaceous gland and pore. This is what happened to me because good treatment was not offered and my condition blew out of control. I can’t explain the physical and emotional suffering I endured until I worked for years to bring the condition under control with the right products. You have got to find a good demodex shampoo or make your own with some essential oils like tea tree oil (TTO) that can work. Personally, you will find more treatments and products for dogs and other animals that treat mites. It is a shame there is really no approved treatment for human beings. I hate the smell of Sulfer so I discovered Benzyl Peroxide washes and shampoos. I have to warn you that I have spent thousands of dollars trying this and that until I found products that help me best. Everyone is different. But, attack the mite over population as quickly as you can. Also, don’t believe that 2 doses of Ivermectin from a Dr who believes you makes them magically go away. That does not happen when your whole immune system is out of control and stress rises because of this disheartening condition. In the beginning when they were so bad and out of control, I wiped eye and face mites off of me all night long, hardly sleeping. They invaded the end of my inside nose tissue, ears and everywhere you can imagine. They were days I did not want to wake up the next day, if I could sleep because this condition tries to steal your joy and rob you of a social life. I wanted to die it grew so bad.
So it is very important to find great herbs and vitamins to strengthen your immune system. Since they are invisible, don t expect most to believe or sympathize. I found it best to not even share with doctors anymore because of the horrible and incorrect treatment I endured from the medical profession. Yes, mostly dermatologists. Most are so focused on treating cosmetic conditions they have failed to become aware of this growing pestilence problem. Sadly, I discovered they care more about beauty and cosmetic treatments and neglect to know how to correctly diagnose or treat this condition. If you happen to locate a good, understanding doctor with adequate knowledge of demodicosis, you are blessed. I just know that we have learned to help one another with tools and products we have discovered. I personally use a boric acid eye wash twice a day when I wash my face. My hair was the first sign before mites invaded my eyebrows and face and elsewhere. I use a dog shampoo with 2% to 3% benzoyl peroxide. Careful, it will lighten your hair but it is one product that works very well. Then a good TTO conditioner you can make or buy.
Fortunately, I am retired, so I have the time to maintain this condition at home. I wear no makeup unless I have a social or family event. I spray my face daily with witch hazel mixed with any essential oil you find that may work. It's hard finding one that does not smell too bad. A little lemongrass, lavender, TTO, etc. Then a good oil free moisturiser. Every day is a battle. At night I use Castor oil on my eyes after using Occusoft Plus eyelid cleanser that you may leave on. It kills good. Sometimes, I use it for my entire face because it is quite effective. Just don t give up your battle with this condition. Surprisingly, there are MORE new products to help with dog mange that are very beneficial, but costly. I use many of them daily. Bathing helps are Benzoyl Peroxide soaps or 2 Chlorhexidine liquid soap. I make my own blending four dog shampoos with a healthy shampoo with a nice scent. My mites grew so bad I had to find something that was more powerful than Ted’s Mange treatment that never helped much. I still do hair rinse with the borax water and ACV with some helpful essential oils. It’s trial and error for everyone Tiny, but I trust you will find your products that best maintain this condition for you. Just know you are not alone and there is wealth of information help online. Believe me, I think I tried just about everything, including buying an infrared spa and rife machine. It’s been very costly, but we must choose life one day at a time and cling to hope. I will pray for you and know that God truly cares about every detail of our lives as we suffer together.
Comment posted by Shreen of Yuma, AZ , USA on 10 January 2018 at 15:31 4900
YES
Yes for witch hazel. I use two kinds. Since AZ is dry most of the year I use Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel. It is also more gentle than T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel. So I use both depending on the weather. Tea tree is something I also use sometimes. Soak a cotton ball with either of the above Witch Hazels and one drop of tea tree essential oil. Then put it on face and scalp. Everything I have read says as we get older it gets worse. Seems to be correct as I am 75 and have had this only in the past year. Replacing pillows etc is not something I can afford so I wash the bedding as often as I think about it - which turns out not to be often enough. When I had 2 beds I would switch between them. That worked well.
