Ailment: Mites (demodex mites)
Remedy: Hydrogen peroxide
Comment posted by Hoping for the best of Cincinnati, OH, USA on 16 April 2023 at 10:54 5442
NO
Been struggling with sores, lesions, skin pain for four plus years and hope all of us find relief. After six dermatologists, one actually listens. Diagnosis was perforating dermatitis which is hard keratin build up under the skin that pushes through creating holes in the skin. I still think the underlying issue is demodex mites. SOMEWHAT HELPFUL SO FAR Spironolactone Rx (Rx means prescription), Liquid Bandaid, Prosacea brand topical sulfur, salt baths, fluocinonide liquid Rx, sit in portable sauna 10 to 15 mins daily, clean the sores with hydrogen peroxide, apply permethrin NIX lotion, eat beef more than I ever have, apply tea tree oil aloe vera mix. Other Rx products tried unsuccessfully include doxycycline, antivirals, mupirocin topical antibacterial, metronidazole, eucrisa and nystatin.
Additional note on 23 April 2023:
The prescriptions I mentioned in my previous comment ARE helpful, but it is sometimes unclear which are most helpful. I also use both 0.5 and 1.87 ivermectin cream, which can be purchased without a prescription, and elidel prescription cream. Sunlight also seems to help. Some days I feel like this will never get solved, but at least I’ve gotten some improvement over the past 2 years.
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 Kristy of East Perth, WA, Australia on 16 January 2023 at 5:4 5417
Don't know if this is allowed as a comment but the symptoms I have and the things I find look more like this https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/onchocerciasis/index.html
Comment posted by Kristy of East Perth, WA, Australia on 16 January 2023 at 2:49 5416
I honestly do not think these things are demodex mites. I can easily obtain samples of them without having to find burrows or having to search my hair. It’s bad enough I’ve lost patches of hair from my scalp and 80% of the length from breakage. They also nest in the bonds of my hair extensions where they are very hard to separate. I’m not sure if mange in animals is the same as what they describe demodex for humans to be, but zoonotic mange is what it looks like on my scalp. I don’t think they are demodex as they can live on hair that isn’t attached to a living host, because they are also in my hair extensions and wigs. When I have not worn them for weeks, if I pick them up I can see them scurry to try and burrow in the hair. Tonight I rinsed my head in petrol, because I couldn’t care less anymore about the risks of chemicals. When you read about treating mange in livestock they recommend to wash them in petrol, and that any of the stock that are grossly infested and show no improvement following petrol treatment should be culled. My dermatologist won’t even take a sample, she only wants to do a blood test to check my thyroid and check for syphilis or immune disorder. I asked her to take a sample of these things in my hair. She said no we would just treat whatever the tests showed. So many people from all over the world experiencing this, it needs a formal enquiry. Google, CDC, same thing they would sooner refer you to a psychologist than a dermatologist. If there are so many suffers that have made so many attempts to get some answers then why is the medical or professional community acting like you are the first person with these types of symptoms? I feel as though the response from these professionals is almost like an automated one that completely dismisses the possibility of it being a parasite infection.
Comment posted by Brighter Days Ahead of Huntsville, AL, USA on 9 January 2023 at 4:58 5415
YES
Update from my first comment nearly three weeks ago.
I have been using a 32 ounce bottle of OTC 3% Hydrogen Peroxide and 2 Cups of Borax per bath soak twice per day for the past 9 days, and occasionally applying the hydrogen peroxide directly to bothersome spots. I have also been laundering all clothes, bed linens and bath linens in Borax daily. It has been gradually getting rid of them.
Question posted by Patrica of Chicago , IL, USA on 2 January 2023 at 1:10 5414
Hello my name is Patricia and I have been dealing with these bad boys for almost three years now. I have been to a few dermatologist and explained to them that I felt something crawling, biting and severe itching. My scalp was bleeding because I scratched it so much. One told me that I had seborrheic dermatitis then the second said folliculitis, but I know that it is demodex mites. I have lost all my hair from my eyebrows and my eyelashes are very thin. I don't know what's next with these mites.
Comment posted by Brighter Days Ahead of Huntsville , Alabama , YSA on 28 December 2022 at 10:47 5410
NO
Hello Everyone. My symptoms started at the beginning of August 2022 with what appeared to be a rash under both breasts and some scalp sores. The first doctor said it was scabies and prescribed Permethrin. I still had issues. Then, the second doctor prescribed a steroid cream. I still had issues. Then, I went to a walk in clinic and obtained another tube of Permethrin. I still had issues. I went back to the second doctor who referred me to a dermatologist, who said I have nerve issues. I was prescribed a steroid cream, an antibiotic cream, and a pain med for the nerve pain . I’m still having issues. So, I shaved my hair to 1/8 inch all over so I could get a good look. I have sores all over my scalp accompanied by swelling and a 1 inch diameter red round circle at nape neck area of my scalp. My other symptoms include black scalp hairs twice the diameter of my normal hairs that appear to have little black balls at the hair tips. I don t have naturally black hair. There are transparent oddly shaped entities with a tail. Both the black and the clear entities turn bright red after feeding on my blood. I have personally watched them change color. Tiny sand like granules come off my scalp. I recently observed a granule attached to a clear entity. If I disturb my hair and scalp while not wearing a shirt, I get bites and sores that look like a rash on my breasts, abdominal area, and back. My scalp burns and is painful. They say you cannot feel mites crawling and biting but I occasionally feel movement and biting on my scalp. I’m autistic with a very heightened sense of touch. Another symptom is what feels like tiny particles falling from my scalp hair into my eye lashes and eyes, which get irritated and turn red. Also apparent after shaving my hair to 1/8 inch are small round bald spots all over my scalp. I have tried all kinds of things to kill them including super head lice treatments, nit combs which work great for getting some out, lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus essential oils, Neosporin 91 rubbing alcohol which strangely makes the scalp burning sensation temporarily subside, and epsom salt with lavender oil bath soaks. I have found nothing prescribed or at home remedies that will kill them. I don’t think that they are simply various varieties of demodex mites because they are present in both black and clear white both of which turn bright red after feeding on blood. I did however read on a forum that people have been contacting the CDC for assistance, which they apparently have not provided, because doctors and pest control can’t get rid of them. They are said to be two new species of mites. My entire life is being consumed with showering bathing, cleaning, laundry, and insomnia. Has anyone found anything that completely kills them? If not, we need to all be diligently searching for something that will eradicate them and pass on the treatment information.
Comment posted by Marydawn of La Habra, CA, USA on 1 September 2022 at 5:30 5380
NO
I have been trying to kill demodex mites in my hair and on scalp for 6 months now. One Dr said try t-gel shampoo another Dr prescribed an anti-fungus shampoo and another Dr prescribed doxycycline pills. I’ve also tried apple cider vinegar, borax, hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil, rubbing alcohol and even tried dyeing my hair. I see yet another Dr next month. In the meantime my next plan is ivermectin. My symptoms include grains of sand on my scalp and in the hair, with severe hair loss and intense itching. After showering there is sand in the tub. It’s on my clothes and furniture. I’m going crazy insane over trying to get rid of this and continually cleaning the house of this sand . I feel there’s no hope to be rid of this horror ever.
Comment posted by ma2glenn of Ottawa, ON, Canada on 14 March 2022 at 15:55 5344
Some comments: Demodex mites aren't visible without a microscope. Everyone most likely has some demodex mites. People with compromised immune systems may have increased numbers. Rosacea and demodex may be related. Demodex mites cannot cross species. What does cross species might be ringworm.
Comment posted by Susan of East Granby , Connecticut, USA on 14 November 2021 at 12:0 5319
YES
I’ve been suffering since September 2019 with a large bird nest over my kitchen window they crawled through the air conditioner in my window. I was overwhelmed by what seemed like hundreds of them crawling on my legs up to my knees then all at once they started to bite at the same time. It was a complete nightmare. Only one bug inspector knew what it was after seeing 3 other inspectors. I lived in hotels for over a year. My apartment was completely infested with them, clothing, under all the carpets. I also had to get rid of a car due to them in the car. They are so microscopic until they’ve had a blood meal, either humans or birds then they turn black, still the size of a ball point pen tip.
I’ve just begun to use MSM and have noticed a slight improvement. Also I spray hypochlorous acid on everything including my skin and clothing, purchased online. It smells like bleach. I also just started to drink food grade diatomaceous earth twice a day. I am also using an enzyme cleaner. I’ve just taken Ivermectin 3 weeks straight. I’ve heard about an injection called Stromectol and waiting to hear from my Dr if I can get this injection once a month for 3 months.
Only a few people have heard about these mites. Most doctors cannot help, but only one dermatologist understands and is trying to help me. It can drive you crazy, hot humid days, rainy days are the worst. I’m going to get the limes and lemon as suggested on this site. It’s costing so much money to get rid of these things. Best to all of you.
