Ailment: Mites (demodex mites)

Remedy: Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil, melaleuca alternifolia essential oil, properties, traditional healing uses, recipes, warnings.

Comment posted by expat in Germany of Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany on 2 April 2013 at 21:3       1066

YES
I believe that diet is a huge part of getting rid of the mites. If you give them a hostile environment, they can't survive. I avoid wheat and sugar, and eat raw garlic daily. I also recommend waking up in the middle of the night to reapply the tea-tree oil mixture. At least in the beginning. If you train yourself, you can feel when the mites are active (reproducing) on your skin. It's gross, but better to understand what's happening and take control. I think I probably had mites for many years before I realized it when I felt the crawling sensation one night.

Comment posted by Camille of Indio, CA, USA on 19 March 2013 at 9:23       1049

YES
I have not posted since the end of January (under Tea Tree Oil). I may have discovered a cure for demodex of the face, hair and eye lashes quite by accident. I had pretty much gotten control of my demodex issues with my hair/scalp and face but I was having to use the 50/50 tea tree oil with macadamia nut oil every week or my dry eyes and itching would return. My husband and I decided to go off of wheat starting February. We had read that wheat has been genetically altered and causes "wheat belly" and other health problems. We learned how bad wheat can be for some people. It was easy to go off of wheat. We substituted rice pasta, rice crust pizza, brown rice, almond, oat and coconut flours for my baking flours. After 2 weeks of being wheat free my demodex problem was completely gone. I have not used one tea tree product since mid February when my eye symptoms were completely gone. It is now the end of March and I still am mite free with no symptoms whatsoever. I lost 7 pounds by going off the wheat too. I feel fantastic. The wheat might have been a host for the mites to "feed" and take over! Now I do not have any problems at all! I hope this will help all of you who suffer from those dreaded demodex. To recap, I went off wheat products and now I have no mites in my hair, face, eyes, and I no longer have dry eyes. My eyelashes are full and long. My blurry vision is gone and I see clearly again. My eyebrows are full. My skin is normal. My hair is getting fuller and fuller with lots of new hairs growing in - especially around my hairline. My stomach is flat like when I was 20. What a HUGE difference living wheat-free has been for my husband and me. GOOD LUCK to you all! I hope you have the same results I have.

Question posted by Emma of Brisbane, QLD, Australia on 16 March 2013 at 12:57       1043

Hi, I have blepharitis. I started the tea tree oil treatment about a week ago. I was just wondering if it was normal to get a larger amount of white discharge coming out of the corners of my eyes after starting this treatment? Would be great if anybody knows.

Comment posted by Liouane of Glasgow, Larkhall ml92qb, Scotland on 2 March 2013 at 19:21       1021

YES
I have found this page after months of suffering the terrible itch and crawling sensation on my face. Also all the lumps and bumps on my head. I took ill and it was after that time that this all started. Have tried all different treatments and cost lots of money. Have now gone and bought all tea tree oils, shampoo etc after reading this. Also suffered with dry eye and sore eyes. Have been using tea tree oils for only a couple of days and it has already been a blessing. I can't thank you all enough and hope all our suffering stops. Thank you.

Comment posted by Kmassi of New York, NY, USA on 12 February 2013 at 6:47       958

Kendalle 02- Have you ever heard of Morgellons disease? You may indeed have demodex mites, but your symptoms sound like Morgellons. Especially since your doctors have called you 'crazy' which, you are not! Don't give up! Find a Dr. That will listen to you, and please do some research on Morgellons. Good luck sweetheart.

Comment posted by Gail of San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA on 10 February 2013 at 10:17       951

YES
To KCook of Fullerton: Based on my experience you can customize the frequency of your applications of tea tree oil mixture to your symptoms, which will evolve over time as you get the demodex mites under control. Demodex mites are ACTIVE at night because that's when they come out of your pores or follicles to mate. In the beginning I found that this was when my eyes hurt the most. When I'd get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom they were hurting so much that I'd just have to treat them immediately! As time has gone one I went to treating my eyes just before bed and then again in the morning. The main problem with doing it in the morning is having to keep your eyes closed for at least an hour since it works WAY better if you don't wipe it off. At this point I only need to do it just before bed. What I'm wondering is whether a time will come when I don't have to do it at all! Time will tell. There has been substantial gradual improvement over 12 weeks.

Comment posted by Gail of San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA on 10 February 2013 at 10:11       950

YES
To Lucy of Rochester: Thanks for sharing your story! Like you I've found the standard medical industry to be entirely unhelpful for anything that requires thinking outside the box. I didn't realize folliculitis and keratosis pilaris are caused by demodex mites! That makes total sense based on my experimentation with tea tree oil treatments. I've decided that in addition to treating my eyes with 50% tea tree oil/castor oil I need to start using exclusively a tea tree oil lotion on my body. I've found that a very soothing, pleasant, healing lotion is 25% tea tree, 25% castor oil and 50% coconut oil. I've been using this on my face and now I believe I should be using it everywhere. Maybe that would help you too. Another thing I've found helpful for folliculitis and keratosis pilaris is showers alternating very hot and cold water (gets your circulation going really powerfully), and gentle exfoliation with one of those soft mesh scrubbers along with a good lather of mild soap. Then follow the shower with a good tee tree oil moisturizer like I described. And never let these areas of skin become dried out and scaly! I apply lotion morning and night at least. I'm seeing very encouraging improvement. The hot water will aggravate the folliculitis and keratosis pilaris at first, but in the long run will improve it because the pores become unclogged.

Comment posted by Lucy of Rochester, NY, USA on 1 February 2013 at 19:22       932

YES
I have had skin irritations for about three years now. It started in my groin, and I was tested for every STD, including Herpes Simplex I and II. All tests came back negative. All symptoms were cyclic in nature and seemed to be worse during times of stress or before menstruation. It was maddening. I would also feel intense itching and a prickly sensation throughout my body, almost as though something was biting me. In April 2012, I had a raised bump on my left hip, it spiraled out of the main pustule and was hot to the touch as well as itchy. I didn't seek medical attention until I continued to experience pimple-like obstructions in and around my genitalia, buttocks and inner thighs. I tested positive for Staph, but negative for MRSA. I was prescribed oral medication, to be taken once a day for seven days. My symptoms came back after this period ended and I returned to the medical center. I was then prescribed Mupirocin Ointment, to be applied twice daily inside my nose, as I was told by my doctor that Staph lives and thrives within the nose. I found temporary relief, although my symptoms continued. I was then told to seek help through a dermatologist. I visited my primary doctor and he acted as though my symptoms were nothing to be concerned with. It seemed as though because I wasn't dying, despite the physical and psychological disturbances I was tormented by, he wasn't concerned with what I was coming to him with. I was told I might be dealing with folliculitis or keratosis pilaris, both of which are caused by demodex mites. Demodex mites are also known to be carriers of staph. I was also experiencing skin irritations on my arms, legs and chest. Random red bumps would appear in groups in these areas and they continue to appear, as though something is irritating my skin. I continue to feel itchy, as though something is biting at my skin, in random spots all over my body, specifically in areas where demodex mites are prone to: groin, chest, ears, face (t-zone, nose, eyebrows, eyelashes). Apparently these are all areas where sebaceous glands reside, and where demodex mites are prone to feed, as they are all oily and perfect breeding grounds for these disgusting and tenacious parasites. Since April 2012, I suffered from broken blood vessels on my left arm, left leg and face. Random raised bumps and pustules would form in and around these vessels. Some would come to a head, some would appear as reddish spots and would eventually fade, leaving a flaky patch. I decided to keep a diary of the symptoms I was experiencing. These symptoms would seem to appear from nowhere, developing overnight, and in numbers. Frustrated and desperate, I visited a dermatologist in December 2012, who told me I have a classic case of rosacea. While I expressed my concern about Staph rapidly raging throughout my body, as I was diagnosed with it, and found areas other than my face affected by whatever skin condition I might have, I was told there was no way such an affliction would cause havoc throughout my body. I wasn't convinced. I was prescribed Azelaic Acid, to apply to my face for five months. The derm was quite certain this was the quick fix to my problem, but I wasn't so sure. First of all, the medication was super pricey without insurance, costing $200+ for a small tube. Secondly, after researching the prescribed med, I wasn't convinced it was a miracle answer to my problems, especially considering my face wasn't the only location on my body which was affected by whatever is taking over my body. Sure, I have a genetic history of rosacea in my family, I'm fair-skinned and I've sun tanned, but haven't abused the sun. My use of cosmetics may have caused me to be predisposed to such a skin condition as rosacea, but I've never abused or over used make up, have never had to use foundation to mask skin issues. My consistent skincare regimens haven't included harsh ingredients which may have led to rosacea. For the most part, I've had fresh, dewy skin. I've had my bouts of pimples, but nothing that was devastating. Therefore, this sudden onset of skin issues and symptoms (itching and random pin-prick type sensations) leads me to believe an overpopulation of demodex mites are the cause of my chronic problems. Instead of using harsh, medically-prescribed ointments which are known to only be temporary relievers, I've been using a regimen of Tea Tree Oil and Almond Oil at night, after cleansing my face with Tisserand Anti-Bacterial Pure Vegetable Soap. While at first this soap was drying to my face,adding the Tea Tree Oil/Almond Oil seemed to improve the dryness. As Tea Tree Oil is known for its anti-bacterial properties, I've also found relief in the itching and inflammation demodex mites are known to cause. I've especially found it soothing to apply the Tea Tree Oil/Almond mix to my eyelids and eyelashes. I wake up with red, itchy, blood-shot, inflamed eyes. After applying the mixture, within minutes, my eyes are soothed and improved, Yet another reason to believe these mites are to blame for my symptoms. I've also experienced raised, red pimple-like bumps in my ears that turn into dry, flaky patches right around the time of the onset of symptoms on my face. I've been applying the Tea Tree Oil/Almond Oil solution to my ears and have found relief as well. I find it odd that while my dermatologist diagnosed me with rosacea, I've found that simply applying the Tea Tree Oil regimen to affected areas has improved my symptoms, and that rosacea may not be the root cause to my problems, but that demodex mites are to blame. Since the onset of my skin problems in 2009, I've also experienced severe razor burn in the groin, in my armpits and on my legs after I shave. I resorted to using bikini-line Nair and while it seemed as though that was the answer, I still continue to experience severe irritation. I've spot-treated my folliculitis-type irritations with Mupirocin, and it does put my symptoms at bay, but isn't a true cure to my problems. It's literally and figuratively irritating most dermatologists/doctors do NOT recognize other reasons for such afflictions as rosacea, folliculitis, keratosis pilaris, such as demodex mites. I'm not one to invest in the expense and future side effects modern medicinal ointments and prescriptions offer. I've found temporary relief in the above mentioned regimens, but am hoping for a true answer to my dermatological problems. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Comment posted by Gail of San Juan Capistrano, California, USA on 28 January 2013 at 17:33       926

YES
I find that I am able to tolerate 50/50 TTO/castor oil on a daily basis, but apparently that's rare. After washing and drying my face and hands I just glob it along the rims of my eyes with eyes shut, thoroughly wetting both top and bottom eyelashes and their roots. I use my little finger for this. It's just easier because I can feel what I'm doing. I keep my eyes SHUT for the application and for a minimum of an hour afterwards! I sometimes need to remove excess solution with a bit of toilet paper if it's stinging my eyelids, but I have not had anything worse than slight actual eyeball stinging from seeping and that always stops entirely within five minutes. I also put a thin coating on my nose, eyebrows, and all over my face. I normally do this at bedtime and then just go to sleep with it on, but otherwise I notice that I am able to open my eyes without any stinging after an hour, or of course sooner if I wipe it off, but it works much better if I leave it on all night and then wash my face in the morning. When I first started doing this the amount of crawling sensation on my face was truly creepy. I found that it worked well to immediately wipe the crawly areas firmly with fresh toilet paper tissue and then put more solution on and repeat til the crawling stopped. Within a week or so all crawling stopped except very rarely. I also treated my scalp during that first week but haven't had scalp itching since. It is definitely working, but I'm at 10 weeks now and still have some problem with my eyes. MUCH less than it was, though, more like dust than sand. Generally all day I'm symptom free, and only have the dusty sensation come up at night, hence I do the treatment at bedtime. I suspect that like Camille of Indio I will probably just have to continue this to some degree indefinitely. Hopefully not daily like I'm still doing at this point.

Comment posted by Camille of Indio, CA, USA on 25 January 2013 at 16:13       919

Hello Rosi, To answer your question about make up, when I first began the TTO treatments last fall, I did not use any makeup except for lipstick for 2 weeks. I discarded all of my old make up and cleaned all of my make up brushes with tea tree shampoo. Today I continue to get thicker, healthier and fuller hair. But I am having problems with my eyes. I use the TTO and macadamia nut oil 50/50 solution on my eyes twice a week. After a few weeks of this treatment my eyes will feel great. When I stop the eye scrub treatments about 2 weeks later the symptoms return. It is a big commitment to use the TTO/macadamia nut eye scrubs but I am going to have to make this a part of my routine. Everything else is fine now. No more red flaky skin on my face. It looks terrific. The only problem is with my eyes.

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