Hair follicle mites, also known as demodex mites, are tiny mites that live in the hair follicles and oil glands of humans. While they are normal inhabitants of human skin, an overgrowth can lead to skin conditions like rosacea and demodicosis. Getting rid of hair follicle mites involves both killing the mites and preventing reinfestation. This can be done through topical and oral treatments, deep cleansing routines, and lifestyle changes.
What are hair follicle mites?
Hair follicle mites, or demodex, are microscopic mites that live inside the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of humans. There are two species of demodex mites that inhabit human skin:
- Demodex folliculorum – These mites live in the hair follicles and are usually found in areas with many sebaceous glands, like the face, chest, and back.
- Demodex brevis – These mites live deep inside the sebaceous glands and are found mostly on the face.
Demodex mites are a normal part of the skin’s ecosystem. They feed on skin cells and oils inside the follicles. The mites emerge at night to mate and lay eggs before retreating into the follicles during the day. An average person has thousands of demodex mites on their skin at any given time.
While demodex mites naturally occur on healthy skin, some people have an overgrowth of mites. This can happen when the skin’s defenses are compromised or balance of microbes is disrupted. An overgrowth leads to skin conditions like:
- Rosacea – chronic redness and inflammation of facial skin
- Blepharitis – inflammation of the eyelids
- Demodicosis – itchy rash and scaly skin
Getting rid of excess hair follicle mites can help treat and prevent these conditions.
How do you know you have a hair follicle mite infestation?
Signs that you may have an overgrowth of hair follicle mites include:
- Redness, flushing, and irritation of facial skin, especially around the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead
- Small red bumps or pus-filled pimples on face
- Itchy skin and sensation of crawling on face
- Burning or stinging sensation on facial skin
- Crusting eyelashes or styes on eyelids
- Scaly skin and rashes around eyes, ears, chest, and back
- Excess oiliness or dryness of skin
These symptoms tend to be worse at night and flare up during times of stress or immune deficiency. Demodex mites can also worsen skin issues like acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
To confirm a hair follicle mite infestation, your dermatologist can do a skin scraping and examine it under a microscope. This will allow them to see adult mites, eggs, and fecal matter.
How to Get Rid of Hair Follicle Mites
Getting rid of excess hair follicle mites involves killing off the mites, preventing reinfestation, and addressing any skin conditions caused by the mites. This comprehensive approach can help eliminate mites and improve related skin problems.
1. Use Prescription Medications
Prescription medications that kill mites are often the first line of treatment. Options include:
- Ivermectin – This oral medication paralyzes and kills demodex mites. It is taken as a single oral dose initially, then may be continued daily or weekly.
- Metronidazole – An antibiotic taken orally that also has anti-mite and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Crotamiton cream/lotion – A topical scabicidal cream that kills mites.
- Tea tree oil – An essential oil that can be diluted and applied to the skin to kill mites when used regularly.
- Sulfur creams – Topical sulfur creams and washes help eliminate mites and eggs.
- Permethrin – A topical cream that kills demodex mites.
Oral ivermectin is often the first-line treatment, sometimes along with topical permethrin or metronidazole. Your dermatologist will prescribe the right medication regimen tailored to your infestation and symptoms.
2. Perform Deep Facial Cleansing
Since demodex mites live deep in hair follicles, regular cleansing can help physically wash away and kill mites. Try these deep cleansing techniques:
- Use a face wash containing ingredients like salicylic acid, sulfur, or tea tree oil.
- Do a clay mask once or twice a week – the clay draws out impurities and oils from the follicles.
- Gently scrub with a soft brush or cleansing pad to dislodge mites.
- Extract blackheads and blocked follicles prone to mites.
- Steam your face to open up follicles.
- Use an antibacterial cleanser to address bacterial overgrowth.
Avoid harsh scrubs or excessive cleansing, as this can worsen skin irritation. Deep yet gentle cleansing paired with medicated treatments gives the best results.
3. Apply Topical Prescriptions
Topical prescription creams can be used along with oral meds to kill mites and reduce inflammation. Options include:
- Ivermectin cream – Applied to face to kill demodex mites.
- Metronidazole gel – Reduces mite-related rosacea.
- Azelaic acid gel – Clears acne and kills mites.
- Brimonidine gel – Helps reduce facial redness.
- Pimecrolimus or tacrolimus – Anti-inflammatory creams to reduce skin irritation.
Using topical treatments ensures the medication gets to the mites directly inside the follicles. Continue using them as advised by your dermatologist along with any oral medications.
4. Address Underlying Skin Conditions
Hair follicle mites often take advantage of underlying skin conditions to overpopulate. Treating these conditions helps get rid of mites long-term. Your dermatologist may recommend:
- Antibiotics for acne – kills bacteria associated with mites.
- Steroid creams for eczema and psoriasis – reduces skin inflammation.
- Isotretinoin for severe acne – reduces oil production.
- Antihistamines for allergies – control allergy-related scratching and skin injury.
Correcting any imbalance in the skin can help restore its natural defenses against mites.
5. Maintain Healthy Skin Habits
Good hygiene and lifestyle habits support mite treatment and prevent recurring infestation. Try these tips:
- Wash face twice daily with mild cleanser.
- Avoid oil-based cosmetics and creams.
- Use oil-free, non-comedogenic makeup and sunscreen.
- Change pillowcases regularly.
- Avoid touching or scratching your face.
- Treat conditions causing skin injury like allergies.
- Moisturize to heal skin barrier.
- Take care of overall health and immunity.
- Reduce stress through yoga, meditation, etc.
- Get 7-8 hours of sleep nightly.
Following healthy skin practices prevents recurrence of mites and helps heal the damage caused by them.
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Hair Follicle Mites
Certain home remedies may help treat a mild hair follicle mite infestation when combined with medical treatment. However, consult your dermatologist before trying these remedies:
- Tea tree oil – Dilute and apply to the skin as a homeopathic demodex treatment.
- Aloe vera gel – Soothes inflamed skin and may have antimicrobial properties.
- Honey – Has antibacterial properties to fight secondary skin infections.
- Turmeric – Has anti-inflammatory benefits for skin.
- Apple cider vinegar – Contains acids that can kill mites and balance skin pH.
- Coconut oil – Nourishes skin and may have antimicrobial effects.
- Probiotics – May counterbalance microbial imbalance on skin.
Note that the scientific evidence on these natural remedies is limited. Use home treatments to supplement medical treatments, not replace them.
When to See a Doctor
You should see a dermatologist if you have persistent signs of a hair follicle mite infestation, such as treatment-resistant rosacea, demodicosis, or blepharitis. Self-treatment is not recommended.
Getting an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plan from a dermatologist gives the best results. Prescription medications are required to effectively kill hair follicle mites and prevent recurrence.
See your dermatologist right away if you have symptoms like:
- Severe facial redness, flushing, and irritation
- Solid red bumps with pus on face
- Crusted or inflamed eyelids
- Extensive scaling or rash
- Skin thickening or discoloration
Prompt treatment helps resolve severe cases, prevents complications like vision loss from blepharitis, and improves quality of life.
Risk Factors for Hair Follicle Mite Infestations
Certain factors can increase your risk of having an overgrowth of demodex mites, including:
- Overproduction of skin oils, like in adolescence
- Skin conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea
- Bacterial imbalance on the skin
- Weakened immune system
- Older age
- Use of oil-based cosmetics
- Poor facial hygiene
- Exposure to irritants like pollution
- Stress
- Hormonal changes
- Genetic predisposition
Being aware of these risk factors can help you take preventive steps against mite overgrowth.
| Risk Factor | Preventive Measures |
|---|---|
| Oily skin | Use oil-free skincare products; avoid heavy creams |
| Skin conditions | Treat underlying conditions like acne; maintain skin barrier |
| Weakened immunity | Reduce stress; eat a balanced diet; take supplements if deficient |
| Poor hygiene | Wash face twice daily; change pillowcases frequently |
| Irritants | Use gentle skincare products; avoid pollution when possible |
| Hormonal changes | Oral/topical treatments as per doctor during flare-ups |
Prevention of Hair Follicle Mites
You can help prevent excessive buildup of hair follicle mites by:
- Washing face twice daily with a gentle cleanser.
- Using oil-free, non-comedogenic makeup and sunscreen.
- Avoiding heavy lotions and creams.
- Treating any underlying skin conditions like acne.
- Not sharing personal items like pillows and towels.
- Protecting skin from sunburns and irritation.
- Keeping facial hair trimmed.
- Replacing makeup frequently.
- Cleaning makeup brushes regularly.
- Avoiding touching or rubbing your face.
- Using hypoallergenic detergent on bedding.
- Seeing a dermatologist annually.
Developing healthy skincare habits and having any persistent skin problems checked out can prevent mite overgrowth.
Conclusion
Getting rid of hair follicle mites involves a multi-pronged approach – killing off existing mites with prescription medications, preventing reinfestation by deep cleansing and healthy skin habits, and treating any underlying conditions disturbing the skin’s microbial balance. While initially stubborn, mite infestations can be successfully treated and controlled with the right combination of medical and at-home treatments.
Seeing a dermatologist is crucial, as they can prescribe the medications needed to eliminate mites and diagnose any related skin diseases. Home remedies may provide some added benefit when combined with prescription treatment. With a consistent, comprehensive treatment plan, you can successfully eliminate excess hair follicle mites and achieve clear, healthy skin once again.