Demodicosis in Different Age Groups and Alternative Treatment Options: A Review

February 2023 in “ Journal of Clinical Medicine ”

Izabela Chudzicka-Strugała, Iwona Cybulska, Grzegorz Brudecki, Wael Elamin, Barbara Zwoździak

Demodex mite rosacea demodicosis gravis dry eye syndrome blepharitis parasitological tests essential oils

Studysummary This review discusses treatments for demodicosis in adults and children and provides no new clinical results; the authors emphasize the need for careful diagnosis and therapy selection.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The review examined the prevalence and treatment of Demodex mites, which were common in adults and the elderly, and increasingly recognized in children. These mites were linked to skin and eye conditions like rosacea and blepharitis, and their diagnosis was challenging due to often asymptomatic presence. Treatment required careful selection to minimize side effects, especially in young patients. Alternative treatments, including essential oils like tea tree oil, showed promise. The review highlighted the need for ongoing research into effective treatments for demodicosis across different age groups, emphasizing the mites' role in conditions like androgenetic alopecia and their interaction with the immune system.

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Research cited in this study

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research Innate Type 2 Immunity Controls Hair Follicle Commensalism by Demodex Mites

24 citations , August 2022 in “Immunity”

This study found that control of Demodex mite colonization in mice required skin ILC2s and IL-13, highlighting their role in maintaining HF integrity and limiting mite overgrowth.

research Ubiquity and Diversity of Human-Associated Demodex Mites

83 citations , August 2014 in “PLoS ONE”

This study suggests that Demodex mites might universally inhabit adult humans, with a phylogenetic analysis indicating potential undiscovered lineages of the D. brevis species based on geographic differences.

research Demodex Mites

81 citations , February 2014 in “Clinics in dermatology”

This review discusses the potential role of Demodex mites in various human skin conditions, including acneiform eruptions and folliculitis, but reports no new research findings.

research Demodicosis and Rosacea: Epidemiology and Significance in Daily Dermatologic Practice

172 citations , December 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, demodicoses were found to be relatively common among immunocompetent patients, with a notable overlap with papulopustular rosacea.

research The Hair Follicle Mites (Demodex Spp.): Could They Be Vectors of Pathogenic Microorganisms?

46 citations , January 1988 in “PubMed”

This study found that Demodex mites may transport Microsporum canis spores on human skin, suggesting a potential role in microbial movement despite typically being considered harmless.