Can you feel Demodex mites crawling on scalp?

+1 vote
asked Jun 6, 2022 in Hair by wideopendoor (9,130 points)
Can you feel Demodex mites crawling on scalp?

1 Answer

0 votes
answered Jun 10, 2022 by femealeofinternets (19,590 points)
You can sometimes feel Demodex mites crawling on your scalp.

People who suffer from Demodex mites infestation may complain of eyelid and eyebrow itching (especially in the morning), madarosis, a burning sensation and a foreign body sensation that seems to originate beneath their lids.

Demodex blepharitis is observed equally in males and females and is age related.

Demodex is a genus of tiny mites that live in or near hair follicles of mammals.

Around 65 species of Demodex are known.

Two species live on humans: Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis, both frequently referred to as eyelash mites, alternatively face mites or skin mites.

Because the D. folliculorum aren't visible to the naked eye, you'll need to see a doctor to get a definitive diagnosis.

To diagnose these mites, your doctor will scrape a small sample of follicular tissues and oils from your face.

A skin biopsy shown under a microscope can determine the presence of these mites on the face.

To get rid of Demodex mites your doctor may recommend treatment with creams such as crotamiton or permethrin.

These are topical insecticides that can kill mites and so reduce their numbers.

The doctor may also prescribe topical or oral metronidazole, which is an antibiotic medication.

Most people have Demodex mites on their skin.

You don't need treatment unless the mites grow out of control and cause symptoms.

Treatment for a mite infestation usually involves a cream, gel, lotion or wash containing an acaricide.

An acaricide is a pesticide that kills ticks and mites.

98,443 questions

94,802 answers

1,270 comments

6,992,752 users

...