What kills subcutaneous mites on the face? - briefly
Topical acaricidal agents such as 5 % ivermectin cream, 1 % metronidazole gel, or tea‑tree oil preparations eliminate facial subcutaneous mites. Oral ivermectin is employed for persistent or resistant infestations.
What kills subcutaneous mites on the face? - in detail
Subcutaneous facial mites, primarily «Demodex folliculorum» and «Demodex brevis», reside within hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Their over‑population can provoke inflammation, papular eruptions, and rosacea‑like symptoms. Effective eradication relies on agents that penetrate the follicular canal, reduce mite density, and control secondary bacterial colonisation.
Topical therapies
- Ivermectin 1 % cream: binds glutamate‑gated chloride channels, causing paralysis and death of mites; applied once daily for 4–6 weeks, then maintenance twice weekly.
- Metronidazole 0.75 % gel: exhibits anti‑inflammatory and acaricidal activity; applied twice daily for 8 weeks.
- Tea‑tree oil 5 % lotion: terpinen‑4‑ol disrupts mite cell membranes; applied once daily, limited to 4 weeks to avoid irritation.
- Benzoyl peroxide 5 % gel: oxidises mite proteins and reduces bacterial load; applied once daily for 6 weeks.
Oral treatments
- Ivermectin 200 µg/kg body weight, single dose; repeat after 2 weeks if needed. Systemic absorption reaches follicular tissue, ensuring complete mite kill.
- Doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 4–6 weeks: anti‑inflammatory and anti‑bacterial, indirectly lowers mite proliferation by limiting bacterial food sources.
- Tetracycline 500 mg four times daily for 2 weeks: similar mechanism to doxycycline, useful when doxycycline contraindicated.
Adjunctive measures
- Daily eyelid and facial cleansing with non‑oil‑based cleanser; removes excess sebum that feeds mites.
- Warm compresses 5 minutes twice daily; open follicles, facilitating medication penetration.
- Avoidance of heavy cosmetics and occlusive creams; reduces habitat suitability.
Safety considerations
- Ivermectin may cause mild gastrointestinal upset; contraindicated in pregnancy.
- Tea‑tree oil can provoke contact dermatitis; perform patch test.
- Long‑term tetracycline use risks photosensitivity and dysbiosis; limit duration.
Combination regimens, such as topical ivermectin with oral doxycycline, achieve rapid reduction in mite counts and symptom relief. Monitoring after 8 weeks confirms treatment success; persistent lesions warrant repeat course or escalation to higher‑dose oral ivermectin.