Fantastic Demodex – How to Find Them. And How to Treat Them.

Wydanie 1/2020
str. 3 – 9

Autor: Mariusz Rowiński

Centrum Mikrochirurgii Oka LASER w Warszawie
Kierownik: prof. dr. hab. n. med. Jerzy Szaflik

Summary: Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis are the most common parasite found in the human skin and hair folicles, and can be a potential factor in different ethiological disorders of the eyes and skin.
The eyelash sampling and counting method makes it easier and more accurate to diagnose Demodex infestation.

Treatment of diseases caused by Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis is difficult and time-consuming. Some improvements can be achieved after topical application of yellow mercury ointment, sulphuric ointment, camphor oil, crotamiton, cholinesterase inhibitors, sulfacetamide.
Tea tree oil shows promising potential to treat Demodex blepharitis by reducing Demodex counts with additional antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory actions.