How to treat a facial mite? - briefly
Effective management involves applying topical agents—e.g., 1 % ivermectin cream or 5 % tea‑tree oil—twice daily alongside gentle cleansing to lower mite populations. Oral ivermectin can be added for severe infestations under professional supervision.
How to treat a facial mite? - in detail
Facial mites, primarily Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis, inhabit hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Overpopulation can provoke itching, redness, papules, and rosacea‑like eruptions. Accurate diagnosis relies on microscopic examination of skin scrapings, eyelash epilation, or confocal imaging to confirm mite density exceeding normal thresholds.
Effective management combines pharmacologic agents, hygiene measures, and environmental control. Recommended interventions include:
- Topical acaricides: 1% ivermectin cream applied once daily for two weeks, then reduced to maintenance frequency; metronidazole gel 0.75% twice daily as an anti‑inflammatory adjunct.
- Oral therapy: Ivermectin 200 µg/kg body weight administered as a single dose, repeated after one week if mite load remains high; doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for four to six weeks to reduce inflammation and secondary bacterial colonization.
- Skin cleansing: Gentle, non‑comedogenic cleanser used twice daily; avoidance of heavy oils and occlusive cosmetics that feed the mites.
- Eye‑care protocol: Warm compresses for five minutes, followed by lid scrubs with diluted tea tree oil (0.1%) or commercial lid hygiene solutions, performed twice daily.
- Environmental decontamination: Weekly laundering of pillowcases, towels, and facecloths in hot water (>60 °C); replacement of makeup brushes and sponges every two months; use of microfiber covers for mattresses.
Monitoring involves reassessment after four weeks, with repeat microscopy to verify reduction of mite counts below pathogenic levels. Persistent cases may require escalation to combination therapy or consultation with a dermatologist for alternative agents such as benzyl benzoate or sulfur ointments.