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Demodex Infestation: Scalp, Eyes, Etc.

Posted By Zillie (Paraville, Demodexshire) on 12/09/2012

Dear Earth Clinic, I am a 27 year old woman from the UK. After a very stressful time and illness back in July and August of this year - my scalp became very oily, extremely itchy and as if there were bites, lumps and pimples all over it.

I went to the doctor (not a specialist, just a general practitioner), and he said I had a bit of dandruff and gave a script for Nizoral. I used this for a couple of times, when my hair began to shed. The hair loss has continued and is diffuse - but especially on my temples and at the front of my hair. My hair line has receded about 1-2 centimetres.

I kept going back to the doctor, when the extreme itching and bite sensations continued - and what with the hair loss, I was convinced I had folliculitis. Some days my scalp was so lumpy, like fluid filled lumps, if not bites. This still is the case anyhow. But they told me, pretty much, that I was being hysterical. I saw 4 doctors who came to this conclusion and left me feeling distraught.

After staying at a friend's house, a week later she told me her hair was also itching and she had bites too. She has long hair like me. Her partner and mother also started to get the same symptoms on their scalp. At this point (as well as feeling absolutely awful for infecting them) I was certain that this was a parasite of some kind.

My friend checked through my hair and was pretty sure she could see lice eggs (nits) so we treated our hair with Lyclear that day. The next day I still had the itching and crawling sensations - but with added burning, which I still have. I did some looking around on the internet and thought it must be demodex mites. After this, my eyebrows , ears and face began to itch and my nose went very dry.

I went back to a doctor, a different one, and they eventually agreed to refer me to a dermatologist - but this appointment is not until January.

My friend also had no success with the lice treatment and told me her mum had found nits in her hair - they were quite certain of this. Hoping and praying that it wasn't these mites - I treated my hair this time with Hedrin. When I woke up in the morning - my upper lip was swollen and my mouth completely dry, with ulcers on my upper gums. I noticed throughout the day that my eyes were completely dry too, and they were red and felt gritty.

Next day, eyes still dry and now my eyelids hugely swollen. My nose was now swollen too and I have rosacea like, butterfly patch over my nose and cheeks. My glands under my chin and on my neck are swollen. I also have sinus pain and an awful stinging in my left nostril.

This was over three weeks ago that the facial swelling and dry eyes and mouth began. My gums and teeth are constant agony. My nose too, which is really swollen. It only goes down a bit when I'm sat at home with my window wide open. I find it hard to swallow most of the time - having to chase food down with lots of water. I have to use eyedrops constantly and have bought some artificial saliva gel and spray. I often get a low-grade fever in bed, waking up constantly and my skin burns on my neck and chest. My hair is still falling out too.

I found that they can infect oral sebaceous glands and certainly mucus glands: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3456144#

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19939774

Also - I had to give my cat up a few weeks ago as she devoloped mange. She is an indoor cat and must have got the infestation from me. She had dandruff like flakes on her skin and when I brushed above her tail with a flea comb - there were black things in the brush. I squashed them onto a white bit of paper and they left a smear of blood.

A doctor at the hospital did autoimmune diseases blood test and it was negative. But another doctor believes I could have Sjogren's Syndrome and this can sometimes only be tested through a saliva gland biopsy and schirmer test. I certainly have all the symptoms now anyway. But I think it must be these mites when I think of the chronology of it all. Please help me. I don't know what to do and I'm desperate. I am so upset and don't know how I can go on at times. Is there anything I can do????

Thank you so much in advance, L

Replied by Susan (San Francisco) on 02/03/2014

I had a mite infestation (self-diagnosed). I read that the life cycle of a demodex mite is around 3 weeks so I decided to concentrate on the eggs. I washed my hair and body and towel dried my hair and rinsed it with Borax saturated water (around 1/4) and Apple Cider Vinegar (around 3/4). You must leave the vinegar in the hair (it only smells as long as the hair is wet). Then I towel dried my body and rubbed the Borax and ACV on and waited until it dried. Then you can lotion your skin (I use Coconut Oil) and get dressed. I did this 2-3 times a day my first two weeks. I had a hard time tolerating the crawling sensation on my face but that disappeared after about 2-3 weeks. I use this Borax and ACV concotion on my hair and body every time I bathe (every 1-3 days). No more mites. The ACV is a carrier and the Borax washes the waxy protective coating off of the mite eggs. Good Luck!

Replied by Zel (US) on 08/02/2013

I have/had similar issues. I would recommend Extra Virigin Coconut Oil on your scalp with a shower cap. When you wash your hair, use water pressuer, such as under the kitchen sink etc.

Also, take Pure MSM (sulphur) powder internally mixed in your drinks. Take as much as u can handle per day.

Get rid of any fabric type things that u can until the problem is handled.

Replied by Karen (Manchester, Uk) on 01/09/2014

Dear Mustardseed, I have been suffering with all the exact same symptoms as you for at least 7 years now. I also recieved the exact same response from numerous doctors I visited. ie.. Local walk in health centre, My local GP, and after they told me I was imagining things and it just wasnt possible that any parasite could live in human eyes, nose, mouth , skin etc I ended up going to hospital on the verge of going insane and having a nervous breakdown, to be treated much the same as you by your accupuncture doc. The doctor that came to see me first in the cubicle stood on the opposite side of the room, at least 6 feet away and told me he couldnt see anything in my eyes, and I was imagining it all. At this point I went histeriical demanding to see some1 else and refusing to leave, which just isnt in my nature usually, I hate to cause a scene. The doctor told me he could maybe find the "tropical diseases doctor" for me and ask her to take a look at me. I said yes please find her now, , she came to see me and was a lovely woman and she managed to calm me down by showing a lot more concern and asking about my recent health before this itching, crawling thing started. I told her that I had had a very stressfull year so far actually, that started with me finding out I was pregnant at the beggining of March and on going for my 12 wk scan in May it was found that I had had a misscarriage the baby wasnt growing or alive. I got taken in for a D and C. after this things went from bad to worse with everything, my relationship, my work, our social life all for different reasons but very traumatic. It was now the end of August and id had this thing for couple of months , she explained to me very calmly and sensitively , that under such stress the body and mind can play enormous tricks on you and make you really edgey and especially when your tired , not sleeping properly because of stress your eyes also play tricks, I wasnt going insane I was highly stressed out very understandably considering the things that had happened to me so far that year. she was very sympathetic and concerned and went on to tell me that it was true there wasnt any parasites in the UK that live on humans in the eyes etc, , but of course there is a first time for everything, and she would keep an open mind and if this kept on and I could manage to catch any of these things crawling on me eg.. with sticky tape or in a container I could come back and she would gladly take a look. My partner had already stormed off and was pacing outside waiting to go, he told me I was crazy from the start of all this and I needed help, looked at me every day like I was mad, convinced my 3 sons I was losing my marbles and had no sympathy what so ever. I felt calmer after talking to the tropical diseases doctor because she at least offered to listen and acted concerned and also offered me an explanation as to why all this could be happening or seem to be happening and didnt call me insane. So I thanked her , shook her hand and left although I still wasnt 100%% convinced. After that day my partner wouldnt listen to me about it at all, the boys (my sons who were still very young, too young to even begin to understand plus I didnt understand myself, they thought it was quite funny that mum thought her hair was alive, and moved on its own and would catch hairs or black specks etc on sticky tape, , I would bath or shower for hours with bottles of teatree oil and combs , when I used tea tree I could feel things coming out of my skin and it stung , it hurt but I still couldnt see anything, I used to come out of the bathroom absolutley drained and sobbing , and then after hours of combing my hair and scrubbing and pain id feel a sudden movement on my head and id jump and scream and think nothing is working. I used to mop for hours making sure I got every speck of my white tiles in the kitchen , every day and every night so carefully and then quickly shove the mop bucket out of the door and slam it shut. one night after doing all this I accidently knocked the bucket over after just finishing getting every tiny dot up and I screamed and went histerical and ran because it was all back over the floor swimming , I was devastated. I used to be worse when every1 else was in bed and could feel things shooting about on my skin and would scream out , I remember my eldest son who was a teenager at the time coming into my room saying "mum whats wrong ??" I said nothing love, just go back to sleep but was sobbing unconrollably and shaking my head jumping around. I "was" starting to go crazy, I was petrified of this thing but I swore to myself I could never go to the hospital or doctors again because so many people where starting to think I was mad and to be told your imagining these things that are so real was even more traumatic. I searched on the web for anything about it and after so long I found only 1 site that sounded the same symptoms and even though it didnt really offer any kind of cure just helpful tips it was a kind of relief to think I wasnt alone in this thing, others were experiencing the same symptoms and the same response from family and medical people. It went on for months and months maybe years , I cant remember exactly how long now that id try every day to rid my house and body of this thing until eventually I somehow learned to be calm just like you, stop being scared of it, stop torturing myself thinking I was going to pass it on to others because there was nothing I could do to stop it because no-body believed me, I felt and still feel , , I cant help it but they will all believe when they have it and I feel for them, really. And like you I hope the doctors get it 1st , nasty I know but how nasty were they making my family and friends think I was mad and ruining my life and not even trying to help. I split from my partner of 10 years and my life has changed so much , but I dont obcess about it any more , I have the odd day when I get sucked in by it if it feels stronger than usual ie.. if I havent slept properly or am a little poorly thats when it can creep up and try to take over again, its always there. I just live with it now, I have a terrible memory these days , really really bad, bad concentration, bad circulation , my hands turn blue and stone cold, the doctor says its carpell tunnel syndrome, my muscles ache and limbs ache to the point my bones they feel almost broken sometimes. I started having breathing problems a couple of yrs ago suddenly when we had snow and a freezing winter, my daily walk which has never troubled me is now a mission and I get home sweating and gasping for breath. im on anti-depressants , have been for over 4 years now and the doctor says iits likely I will be on them for rest of my life. ive never mentioned the itchy crawly thing since to him tho and I never will. I catch things from my hair and under stong magnifying glass I can see they have a hook at front and 2 at the back, identical to dog ear mites , I get them from my hair, eyes , nose, mouth, skin , everywhere. now I have read on a site about morrgellons disease about a cure for this. There are hundreds of sites talking about this illness now not like when I 1st searched and there was just the 1, and I found something a couple of years ago, that sounded to good to be true, I thought to myself maybe this could help me get rid of this thing. I ordered it and iv got to say it is quite amazing stuff although didnt rid completely obviously, , did help greatly and I think if used regularly and more intensely it could maybe rid, , plus recently I was looking at other sites selling the same thing and found the 1 I mention above about morgellons disease and it offers a cure to all our symptoms using this stuff, ive not tried yet I think becaause im soo scared that it wont work and my hopes will be shattered for good, but am going to try it soon. The stuff im talking about is called Colloidal silver and was used for yrs and yrs for health , to cure illnesses and well being before anti-biotics came about. You may of heard of it before , you really need to go and read about this stuff and try it too, please let me know what you think. For now google Colloidal silver and read as much as poss about it before you order because some versions are better than others , just read up a little b4 you decide if your going to order. I did have the page/site offering the cure recipe etc bookmarked but my laptop completely broke down, this is my new laptop but im sure it wont be that hard to find again so ill do that very soon and post the link to you if you want to have a look, good luck and god bless to all going through this nightmare , , karen xxx

Replied by Healerpealer (South Africa) on 01/07/2014

Stop eating crap and take Diatomaceous Earth food grade swallow it in a glass of water with 2 teaspoons 3 times daily for a week. Sprinkle it on everything in your home beds clothes etc leave for a day or two vacuum. Repeat until gone. Don't be lazy research it. Do it with your doctors consent. This stuff is cheap as flour.

Replied by Susan (Texas) on 08/12/2022
Hi, I've heard of DE also. It was recommended to a friend for COPD, but she wouldn't try it.

Replied by Zelkyla (Nc) on 12/18/2013

MSM (sulfur) internally should help with your symptoms. Also, a mixture of peppermint and extra virgin coconut oil rubbed into the skin. Spend blocks of time rubbing sections of your skin. MMS (Miracle Mineral Solution) in a spray bottle cleared my face.

Replied by Rawfoodenergy (Eb, Sussex) on 12/10/2012

Sorry but this is harsh reply. Change everything you do. Change Diet, Negative thoughts, No Pets while getting better (parasites) Clean Water, Massive amounts of Probotics Daily, Colonics 2-3 times a week..... Some ideas

Replied by Wendy (Columbus, Oh/usa) on 12/10/2012

Do not visit your friends until you're over this thing! Otherwise, you'll be contaminating everyone else!

You need to clean and disinfect your home, bed linens, EVERYTHING really, REALLY well. And, every home you have visited, e. g. , your friend's home, also needs to be cleaned and disinfected.

There are plenty of suggestions here on EC on how to rid your home and your body of mites:

https://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/mite_infestation_questions.html#Question_3213

Just read through them and follow the suggestions to the letter!

Replied by Lizzie (Demodexville, Demodexshire, United Kingdom) on 12/11/2012

Thank you for your comments- Can anyone help me with a treatment and cleaning regimen. I am really confused and need just a shove in the right direction. I can't really stay confined to my home as I have to work. I have only myself to support me. I'm frightened. But I can treat my home. It is christmas nearly and I can't not visit family. Already given my cat up now. Unfortunately, my friend won't accept my theory on mites (yet).

Should I drink borax? Baking soda? Apple cider vinegar? Also thinking of a candida diet and detox. What sort of supplements should I take? What can I use on my face or for my eyes? Will essential oils like tea tree help? Which probiotics? Sorry for all the questions but I'm appealing to your greater knowledge.

I don't want to do more harm but I have faith in the information on here. I just need some help processing it. I need hope. Would be so grateful if you can help me in this way. Please help.

Replied by Lorraine (Stortford, United Kingdom) on 12/11/2012

Hi, I understand demodex mites cause acne type symptoms and can move on to the scalp. They are invisible to the naked eye and similar to mange, I believe. Lyclear is supposed to help but has to be repeated once or twice I think, as with scabies. Suphur based creams are meant to be helpful too such as Sulfa Derm. A solution of Borax and sulphur can be used as a final rinse when washing your hair but I don't know the dilutions. Also tea tree and apple cider vinegar, MMS or DMSO I've heard can be helpful. Have you taken a look at homeopathic remedies? My daughter has developed red sores on her face but doen't have greasy skin, blackheads or spots and all products I've suggested are also supposed to be helpful with bacterial infection so she's just about to start using sulphur soap and cream, and tea tree oil but she has also just started taking homeopathic mix 16 DRAWING which is suppose to draw anything putrid out of the body. There are other mixes to choose from too. Mix 35 WAR is for staph and strep infection and other things. There might be a specific one for mites. Hope this is helpful Lorraine

Replied by Lizzie (Demodexville, Demodexshire, United Kingdom) on 12/30/2012

Dear Ted, I wondered if you could possibly give me some advice. I made a post a few weeks ago regarding my demodex skin, eyes and mouth problems. Since then my problems have developed with swelling of my glands in my face and neck. I have joint and tissue pain and am very fatigued. The rosacea like symptoms, chills, fever and flushing have got worse. This is as well as my dry eyes, mouth, nose and swollen nasal and upper lip glands. I did read that you said demodex can get into the bloodstream and give you lupus.

My dermatologist does not believe me that I have demodex mites infestation and wants to send me to a psychiatrist for delusional parasitosis - and they will not even perform tests (skin scrapings etc.. ) to prove me wrong. Though I believe due to their inaction that it is now too late. Is there anything I could do to try and cure myself, internally, of these mites that are destroying me?

I know about borax and HC20 for external treatment - but do you have advice for my internal infection? I have been printing out medical journal articles for doctors as they have no knowledge of demodex mites at all. It is so hard and a constant battle. Very grateful in advance for your help. Lizzie

Replied by Scalphelplonghair (Cocoa Beach, Florida Usa) on 01/08/2013

This sounds exactly what I have. I'm still fighting them on my scalp but my face was so swollen and I realized scratching Nd picking (even though not itchy) made them fall off my scalp to my face and burrow in there causing swelling... I read somewhere that Salilyc acid works so I got some clearasil pads and held them down on them and wAllaaa totally not swollen at all anymore and they are gone. Soaked my head in that a few times too and many get out but my scalp is still infested.. I'm trying te borax h2 o now... But just wanted to let you know the 2% Salilyc acid worked wonders!!! Then get a wipe like a antibacterial wipe and keep wiping... Overnight my face was not swollen!! I hope Ted responds too!!!

Replied by Christine (Oswego, NY) on 03/03/2013

Hi Lizzie. I am sorry for butting into your conversation. I want to tell you to consider looking into Morgellons Symptoms and Morgellons Syndrome (Disease). Take a moment and view: Morgellons Fiber. You had listed quite a few other health issues and actually play a part in what people now have with Morgellons Syndrome and listed symptoms. Hope this is something that will help you. Stay positive and feel well. Christine.

Replied by Mustardseed (Fairfax, Va) on 09/09/2013

The symptoms you describe is the first time I've heard of someone else suffering the way I do. The torment for me began 7 years ago. My son, now 14 suffers as well but refuses to admit it because of the disgrace and humiliation brought upon me by the medical community and my own family. So, being worried about others is no longer a concern of mine. At first, I went to the doctor in what I concerned an emergency situation so as not to inflict others with what must be contagious. What I was met with astonished and confused me and made me question myself. It also angered me and I pushed-on. Ultimately seeing up to a dozen doctors of various types inspite of the medical professionals' arrogance and disrespect. At this point, I'm now fighting for my sanity.

So, if the doctors say its my nerves, I need a shrink or it's dandruff, allergies, hormones, who am I to argue. Concern for anyone else, out the window. At this point, I'm fighting for my sanity. So, I have become a split person. On the outside , for everyone to see, I have allergies, dandruff, whatever, nothing contagious. Sure, go ahead and think that. There's no other way. The doctors gave you a permission slip. Take it.

On the inside, I know what I know and I will not be made crazy. So, what do I do? I deal with it all alone. I don't talk about it anymore. I never mention it. I just deal with it. I don't get upset or hysterical when I feel movement. Its just one of those things I have to deal with. As long as I don't mention it, the world is happy and I'm "okay. " Moreover, with that stress gone, I start to feel better mentally and other areas of my health improve.

The trick is not to get crazy.

Now, as for what has helped the most: The beginning of my relief started when I learned not to be afraid of touching my hair. When I shampoo I take a section of my hair between my fingers and hand-over-hand slide from root, down and off the hair gently yet repetitively until what's attached is loosened and slides off. Hottest water is key. Usually, it just takes 6-10 slides before I can feel it breaking loose. I don't get "eeked! " or afraid. It won't hurt me. I'm the boss of me and I'm just going to deal with this. There's nothing new under the sun anyway. I just think of it, as they say "nothing" and do the normal cleaning (for me).

I just try to keep things clean and linens fresh using a dryer sometimes without washing.

It is cyclic and some days I wash my hair three times. If I can feel it and its bothering me, I wash it. However, I will never get it all out and I don't try to. I'm sensitive to obsessing and avoid it. It does me no good. I move on and deal.

I'm living with it. I can't possibly ever get it all out of my hair.

My eyes are usually bad every evening. If biting and stinging begins in my eyes, I will wash my hair. Just lean over tub or sink, use hot water and shampoo to soften and pull off the tips and around the edges of hair as much as I can without obsessing. It makes a drastic improvement to the aggitation-factor. After I finish with my hair, I use hot water (as hot as I can stand) and a little soap and vigorously (without hurting myself due to hysterical response), gently wash my face.

Always gently because I'm worth it. I do not let myself get hysterial anymore. I'm living with it because its "normal"

The reason this issue is on the low-down (in my opinion) is because even the doctors are afraid to say it outloud. The eye doctors were the only ones that I believe saw what I was talking about. But they didn't even have the nerve to say it. They treated the "infection" and talked about expensive medicine if it returned after antibiotic eye drops. Another one/another time just nervously laughed. The infectious disease doctor smugly said "I don't see anything I can give you an antibiotic for" The GP said, when I asked him to look in my hair. "I don't think that will help" and he turned away never looking. The GYN told me I should see a shrink in a really nasty tone. The Ear Nose and Throat doctor laughed at me because I didn't put two-and-two together and realize the white marks in the back of my throat were scar tissue from having my tonsils removed when I was five. Nevermind the symptoms that brought me there. They are apparantly of no bearing. The emergency room nurses huddled and snickered as they were looking on and didn't realize I was looking at them They also made some snide remark to my symptoms. The ambulance man was rude the second time he came over. This was in the beginning when I was living in an apartment with an ongoing water leak I for a couple months before being identified. At that time, I was having problems with swelling in my legs and burning on the bottom of my feet and pains in my chest and shortness of breath and sensations of movement all over my limbs and face and body. What jerks! Actually, those are my symptoms still.

My most recent experience a year ago was when the acupuncture professional would not come close to me when I went in to show him my eye. He stayed at the door obviously not wanting to come close. At one point, he started to venture to take a closer look but stayed at least 6 feet away. This is because the prior time I was there, I asked him to get the blood moving in my scalp. Omg. I felt non stop falling out of my head all over my face for how long I was lying there. I told him when he came to unstick me. He laughed politely. Maybe didn't understand me. But then a few months later, when I showed up to ask him to look at my eye, he wouldn't even come near me. hmm.

From it all, I lost my mind, lost my job and lost some friends. Lost my family as far as this issue is concerned. There is no one. It took a while to get my mind back. But for a time, I couldn't even describe my symptoms. I had symptoms like alzheimers and I was alone with my 7/8 year old son. Who likes to agree with everyone else that I'm crazy. Now that he's 14 he uses it against me and I just agree So be it. I know what I know.

My mind has made a pretty-good come back. Although I must keep my behavior in-check. Not allowing obsessing or hysteria; and I don't talk about it because, if I'm going to go out in the world (and I must), I cannot be contagious. I'm going out with the doctors permission slip. Let it be on them. Hell, let the whole world get it as far as I'm concerned!!!

The sadest thing for me is watching my son go after his hair as if he's trying to catch something and go after his face as if he's trying to catch something and wince from the pain when his eye bites him. He avoids sweating therefore going outside and getting exercise. He's lethargic and dizzy when standing up. I've taken him to the doctor on many occassions and they have not found anything wrong. They too questioned my mental state. So my son is living in a state of denial I'm not allowed to discuss with him his health or well-being and definitely not his hair. He won't hear it and gets angry.

So, the answer for me I believe, is in the state of my immune system. Because my inflamation is overall and severe, it is likely bringing me to my demise. I have excess stringy mucous that chokes me whether I'm eating or not. I exercise to cough it out but it is obscene. I have no insurance, can't afford any kind of health care especially not homeopathic and besides that, I think I'd rather die than see another doctor. Except when I get some money I will definitely go back to the acupuncture guy whether he likes it or not. I drink hot lemon water with molasses to clean my liver and I take a spoonful of a daily fiber cleans in my juice to keep things moving out.

The world is afraid to say out loud what some of us have innocently said in hope of receiving help and to save others. So, let the world get it and talk. The doctors being the worst. Too afraid to blaze a trail and go where few doctors have gone before, they are wimps and instead of admitting that they are afraid to say what they think, they turn to patient-bashing. They are jerks. I hope the doctors get it first.

Replied by Ruth Of The Earth (Central New York) on 09/11/2013

Hello!

I hear you! Been there, done that. Your conclusion that we should refrain from acting how we feel is dead on! The world does not want to know. Nor can we ask for help. How sad for everyone else when the time comes for them to acknowledge this. It would be great to find a sure cure by that time, but don't count on it! We are not out to spread the ilk, just survive at this point!

Keep your head up. Presevere. Read. Read. Read. Keep up with the web sites and try something new once in awhile. You are not alone. I wish I had the "cure all" for everyone! Just know we care. God have mercy and bless us all!

Replied by Susan In San Francisco (San Francisco) on 09/12/2013

I had what I finally decided were demodex mites and treated them with Apple Cider Vinegar (3/4) and Borax Water (1/4). The ACV acts as a carrier and the Borax washes off the waxy protective coating of the eggs. Wash your hair and body and rinse as usual. Towel dry your hair and body and then pour the ACV/Borax water over your hair (making sure to saturate your scalp) and rub it all over your body. You can wrap a towel around your hair and let the body air dry. Don't wipe off the ACV/Borax. It has to dry on the body (it doesn't smell after it dries). I would continue to itch but I ignored the adults (they only have a lifespan of 3 weeks or so anyway) and concentrated on the eggs. I would do this a couple of times a day and I stopped itching in less than a month. I do this every time I take a shower. I haven't had an itch from these things in a couple of years. Good Luck!

Replied by Trina (London,uk) on 12/19/2013

Hi, I have been going through the same thing for 5 1/2 years, I was diagnosed with rosacea , but I have never thought it was that, I can feel things crawling under my face and the itch is incredible, every doctor thinks I have lost my mind, I have turned to research as I cant leave my house for long, I have become allergic to everything.

I have just started 2 days ago on 3/4 olive oil and 1/4 tea tree oil, the first night I put it on my face and at midnight woke up to thousands of the demodex mites evacuating my face , it went on for hours , I treated myself the next morning , and again last night , I woke up at 11 pm and the itching crawling went on till 4am , I can not see the mites but I could feel them all running down my face to my chest and into my hair to get away from the tea tree. I have found a websit called whole spectrum that explains all about the demodex mites and how hard it is to get rid of them, I have sent off for there cream and pray to god it works . The life cycle of the mite is around 21 days so most people treat for a couple of days but that is not enought time , you can not kill the eggs so have to wait for them to hatch.

You nead to treat for at least 21 days , people with low immune systems have way to many mites , they take over the body, mine are mostly on my face, my life has been hell for 5 1/2 years, I pray to god for a miracle, god bless you all, Trina.

Replied by Om (Hope Bc Canada) on 12/21/2013

Hi Trina from London, UK

Trina, I have the same problem but MMS has done a marvellous job. When I used it three times in a row, it burned like scabies and I had to make fists so I would not scratch my face as it was also extremely itchy. They were in my eyes and since MMS is good for the eyes they did perish which brought up gritty stuff. That was when they died. You need to spray, let dry and repeat twice. It is the drying process which kills them. Wash with Borax and Dr. Bronner's lavender kastile liquid soap. Don't forget your scalp and include it in your treatment.

According to Ted's advice, make an essential oil lavender barrier so they can't run down your body. In between I use castor oil externally which seems to smother them.

I think my rosacea is gone. I read from testimonies that at least one woman had success, exterminating mites and rosacea through usage with MMS. I expect to keep up my regimen for some time. Borax is very potent indeed, except is drying to the skin even though it seems to improve the skin texture. So I use a moisturizer and sometimes use undiluted apple cider vinegar, too. Variety seems to work well.

Wish you success. Om

Replied by Tanya (Las Vegas, Nv) on 12/30/2013

I completely understand what u r going through I have gone threw the same symptoms as u.. For years.. It's not a everyday problem for me although if I'm under a lot of stress or take medications the unbearable symptoms start itching, rash, tiny bites, swelling of my face the feeling of something invisible slithering up my back or into my hair n wrapping around the roots of my hair to point of me screaming..

Replied by Om (Hope Bc Canada) on 01/10/2014

Karen, from Manchester, UK. My heart goes out to you. I have put out a post, read that. If it is a consulation for you, I have been thrown out of a spiritual community for doing animal welfare even though I am clean, attractive, intelligent, etc., etc., it all won't help, people have their ideas. So, I am untouchable! Hey I like being "outside" of it. So are some of my long suffering colleagues.

Also remember: this all is a chance for spiritual growth and 'THIS TOO SHALL PASS'. You will get rid of them. After all, your mind is pure, your Self is pure - who cares about ignorasmusses?? Love, Om

Replied by Mary (Saskatchewan, Canada) on 03/11/2014

Hi Susan from San Francisco: I am so glad for you got rid of this nightmare. I am going through it myself. I am wondering a few things. Firstly, how much borax went into the 1/4 cup water, 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar? Also did you use the good organic vinegar? Or just the grocery store stuff? Did you leave the ACV water borax on your skin or did you rinse it off. It looks like you did not rinse. Did it hurt.

Thanks, Mary

Replied by Mortgageman (Delray Beach, Fl) on 04/04/2015

I have researched EVERYTHING available in print, on Web, and anecdotal. First, GOOD NEWS.

So many sources confirm that Tea Tree Oil, in 50% concentration, us used to successfully ERADICATE, yes as in completely banish Demodex Folluculum and Demodex Brevis. It's an ambitious regimen, but... When you're heavily colonized, there probably is no greater priority, right?

More enlightened eye doctors are applying Tea Tree Oil (TTO) in-office once a week, with the patient doing a home eyelid scrub of 5% TTO lip wipes (Cliradex). This, done for a month, covers the entire life cycle of this tiny monster. Of course, follow-through is required, with aggressive boiling of linens and constant (daily) change of pillow cases.

I personally use the only Tea Tree Oil that I found in the house, which is pure, 100% TTO. It kicked that crap out of my mites within a week. I slightly wet the Q-tip with the oil, and brush my lid margins, and the bases of the lashes. TTO, especially in this concentration, can be irritating, and must be kept out of contact with the eyes.

Once I could endure to keep the stinging TTO (also called Mallaleuca oil) for 10 minutes, I knew progress was being made.

The condition that brought all of this Hades to my attention is Chronic Blepharitis. The eye Dr.prescribed antibiotic drops every flare up. Helps the secondary bacterial infection in the lids, but didn't address the source.

I am determined to be one of those who eradicates these little turds. I'll ease off the frequency and concentration of TTO, but I'll keep treating for 6 months, because I want to be one of the rare people in his 50's without significant colonization.

I'm pissed at the arrogance of the medical 'professionals.' I'm not sure whether they are truly ignorant to the pathology of Demodex mites, or if they are trying to suppress public panic, en masse...

The mites' life cycle is centered around the pores, specifically the hair follicle and glands around lid margins. They migrate out of the follicles during dark hours to mate on the surface of our faces. It is now widely understood that at the end of their 27 day life cycles they liquify in the pore, causing Rosacea, acne, Blepharitis, etc.

So it is important to prevent a relocation, as in from the eyelashes to the cheeks and chin. Therefore, the face and scalp must be treated in addition to your lashes, which is their base of operations (and egg laying).

TTO shampoo, scratched or combed aggressively through the scalp, is good. Take special care around the sideburn area and the hairline, especially around the front. Personally, I use the lather from TTO shampoo on my face, as well. It tends to cause a reddened, sunburn look. I am told that this is as much due to a 'die-off' phase, when the little corpses rot, as it is a direct irritation from the TTO, and to stay to the cause during this awkward phase.

From my hair and between my eyebrows (including the brows), into the eye sockets and the nose creases, inside nostrils, and my chin, I don't want to give any leniency to Demodex Foloculum or Brevis anywhere on my face.

Now, what are these little white postules here and there on my feet and ankles?

Replied by amanda (Washington) on 08/02/2022

I'm struggling with this too, I had to shave my head a few weeks ago. I'm not cured yet but I am on my way. So start with vetdna.com go under tab pest control, then tab what's biting me. Order the 3 test swabs. Get your samples, I pulled eyelashes and hair out with the root. Then have them test them you get 7 tests for 75$. Any additional tests are 20$. They hold the sample for 30 days so you can rule out and test things for that 30 days before starting over with new samples. I came back positive for demodex and dust mites. This will cost a couple hundred dollars so be prepared. Next order collidal silver it's safe to use on eyes ears nose ect. With no burning and no pain. Next shower with Dr Bonners hemp castile soap in lavender or peppermint. Then buy magnesium flakes and immediatly bathe in luke warm or cool water after the shower, it's a drawing agent you need to stay in the bath for a minimum of 35mins but no more than 45 mins then leave it on your skin do not rinse off. Twelve hours later bathe in borax and hydrogen peroxide. Do this until you get the results back from the lab. When you have lab results you can take them to the Dr and get antibiotics doxycycline is a decent one. And a topical gel like for a female bacterial infection. And the big one for me is a hospital grade pre surgery wash. I put it all over except eyes, ears nose and genitals let it sit for 10 mins then rinse off well in shower. Then use a mixture of castor oil and Vaseline to moisturize smother and destroy eggs as they come out of your skin. Wash everything in hot water soak your bedding towels and clothes for 30 mins in borax, Pinesol, or castile soap. Dry on timed dry cycle for 60 mins, do that two times. Bag your clothes ect. Get a matress incasement cover all furniture in plastic. Get a steamer and steam everything. Change bedding daily. This is a war, and so for your loosing, when you fight back they will too. So if they are under attack they drop their eggs and then die, which means it gets worse before it gets better. Hopefully this will help you get relief temporary at least so you can sleep. Oh suppliments NAC, neem leaf and lysine as well as any immune boosters you can find. Eliminate as much sugar and yeast as you can from your diet.. Also look at other remedies listed here you might find a better one for you then what I've been doing. I've tried almost everything and had success only to learn it only worked one or two times before it had no effect on them again. The things I do are the ones that work consistently for me. I know how you feel and I am sorry. I wish you luck.

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