Demodex mites and rosacea seem to be a popular pairing. If you are interested in eliminating demodex mites to see if your rosacea symptoms improve, just how can you kill them ? Demodex mites are tiny, and live naturally in everyone’s skin. They are quite difficult to kill.
Read on if you’d like to know more.
First of all, why would you want to eliminate them ?
There may be some new evidence that proteins from a bacteria that can be isolated from demodex mites cause an immune reaction in rosacea sufferers. I’m still not a believer in the involvement of these critters in rosacea. Just in case more evidence is found in the future, though, demodex mites are worth further understanding.
Demodex mites have a life cycle of 14-18 days.
Killing Demodex Invitro (in the test tube)
We know from the paper In vitro and in vivo killing of ocular Demodex by tea tree oil, that various oils and solutions can kill demodex mites quite quickly.
| Solution | Demodex Kill Time |
| 100% alcohol | 4 minutes |
| 50% tea tree oil | 15 minutes |
| 100% tea tree oil | 4 minutes |
| 100% carraway oil | 4 minutes |
| 100% dill weed oil | 14 minutes |
Note that carraway oil and dill weed oil are toxic to the eye. Studies have also confirmed that ether, xylol, benzene, Danish (sulfur-containing) ointment can kill demodex in a few minutes.
Ivermectin
Ivermectin is used in dermatology against some parasitic infestations in humans. The drug is used in the treatment of patients with different forms of scabies, human body lice, head lice, demodecicosis, et. al. Published literature includes a case study of one patient who was treated with topical permethrin and oral Ivermectin. In another case report of one patient, the papules and pustules of rosacea were difficult to treat until oral ivermectin was included in the treatment regime.
Several rosacea sufferers on the rosacea-support email group report success in treating their rosacea with Ivermectin, but the benefits were only short lived.
Ivermectin (Stromectol, Mectizan, Ivomec, Oramec, Cardomec) has been patented as a treatment for rosacea.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil is sourced from the Melaluca tree which is native to eastern Australia. Tea Tree Oil has been shown to kill demodex mites in as little as 4 minutes. External application of undiluted tea tree oil and/or at inappropriate high doses has been associated with toxicity, including death, in cats and other animals.
There is so much interest in the properties of tea tree oil that a research group has been created within the School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences at The University of Western Australia.
In a recent study, TTO was used to eliminate demodex mites living in the eyelashes of ocular rosacea sufferers. Study participants were given weekly lid scrubs with 50% tea tree oil and a daily lid scrub with a tea tree shampoo. After six weeks all 6 participants showed improvement in conjuctival irritation and inflammation.
TTO is not soluble in water, but is soluble in alcohol, but sadly that would be unsuitable for use around the eye. Tea Tree Oil can be diluted 50% in Macadamia nut oil for use around the eyes. Lid scrubs with 50% Tea Tree Oil did produce irritation in the participants but the effect was found to be minimised if care was used to avoid spilling it into the eye.
Full strength tea tree oil should never be used anywhere on the face.
Kwellada/Elimite (Permethrin)
Back in 2000, Annette Anderson advocated using Permethrin 5% on the face to eliminate the mites. Permethrin was originally used to treat scabies. She warned that getting it in your eyes burns terribly and that the instructions mention that you should not use it on your face. A few members of rosacea-support had bad reactions to using permethrin on their face, so use Permethrin with extreme care. In the U.S., 5% Permethrin (Elimite Cream) is only available by prescription.
If you are considering Permethrin in any form it would be wise to consider Dr. Linda Sy’s advice to “solicit the cooperation and supervision of their respective dermatologists, get a KOH skin scraping to establish the presence of florid demodex population … Participants try the Permethrin on a small area of face first, to determine if any immediate severe problem exists”.
Seabuckthorn Oil
Despite claims on various internet sites, I have not been able to find any published evidence that Seabuckthorn oil kills demodex mites. If you know of some evidence, please post in the comments below.
A natural approach
For those interested in a more natural approach to treating rosacea including using Olive Leaf Extract and Tea Tree Oil see Rachelle’s Alternative Treatments for Demodex Mites.
Over to You
Have you tried any treatments to eliminate demodex mites ? Did you have a bad reaction them ? any suceess ? Feel free to leave a comment below.
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28 comments ↓
My current thinking is that B. Oleronius, the Demodex parasitic bacteria, may possibly represent the initial inflammation that leads to the phases of rosacea.
One day the body develops antibodies to that antigen (the Oleronius bacteria proteins), and pretty soon after your skin develops signs and symptoms of rosacea. The
B. Oleroneus may cause the initial inflammation (immune response), which, over time, causes capillary changes that naturally occur under constant inflammatory stress (namely, increasing in size, increasing in numbers, and increasing in sensitivity). Then the “Gallo Phase” might enter. The skin is set up to react to everything, and is continuing to react to Oleroneus, so perhaps you see continually activated cathelicidins, for example.
I especially migrate back to this theory because it satisfies the question as to why rosacea is mostly limited to the face. Consider the fact that it has been known for quite some time that acne is caused by a bacteria. Furthermore, if we had general capillary weakness, wouldn’t we see issues elsewhere? The Oleroneus bacteria carrying mite may love the face because the skin there is different than on the rest of the body, especially the flush zone with it’s warmth, endless sebaceous glands, and rich capillary supply.
What about the Borax, Peroxide, and water mixture. Borax is found in many over-the-counter lotions and cleansers. I do believe it is used to kill demodex in animals, and I recall reading that some have used this mixture topically for rosacea with good results. Perhaps it could be added to the list?
Cheers!
Artist
Hi Artist,
I haven’ been able to find a reference to information about the effectiveness of Borax. I wonder if anyone knows of a good study or trustworthy site that can show that borax and peroxide can kill demodex.
thanks,
davidp.
I have suffered for last 10 years with rosacea (age now 84). Air conditioning , hot cars, theatres, dining halls etc; would trigger off an attack. The nose first and then spread to scarlet on the cheeks with some small acne. I am at the moment 90% free of of rosacea thanks to a doctor who sent me to a SPECIALIST in this field. The followingis only available in this country on PRESCRITION and needs on going 3 MONTHLY supervision. The drug I take is known as “AROPAX”(paroxetine) 20mg in the morning. It is a an Anti-Depressant and does conflict seriously with other MEDICATION that a patients may be on, so your doctor will have to know your MEDICAL HISTORY before prescribing. For me, now after 18 months I am FREE. Davidp.
Hi…
Before i was pretty skeptical about these mites being the cause of the redness and inflammation because i figured that the answer could not simply be that easy. However, recently i had a very interesting experience at a local swimming pool. Once i entered the pool, i noticed that it was quite chlorinated, pretty much to the point where you could smell it. When i got out i was amazed. My face was completely clear. No redness, nothing. My skin was quite dry and this lasted about 4 or 5 hourse. It was enough to raise my suspicions. I did some research on chlorine when i got home and found that it is a very strong anti-fungal, anti-yeast, cleanser type deal. I figured that this must have had some sort of effect on the demodex population on my face, whether it washed them off, starved them, or just simply killed them, i dont know. Anyone with a similar experience???
I have had the same exact experience with swimming in a chlorinated pool.
Yes I believe demodex may play apart in rosacea. Apart from medication mentioned earlier. I have a morning and evening routine as follows: A wash with Extra Gentle Cleanser (Neutrogena) (www.neutrogena.com) followed by a application of (Savlon Cream) (chlorhexidine 1mg/g. Cetrimide 5mg/g.) The cream is non greasy and leaves a smooth texture to the skin. It can be tinted with a liquid makeup. Ok. for Girls and Guys. I believe this cream plays a big part in keeping my face free of that burning feeling thats followed by an angry flush. David (Pitanjara)
I need help with demodex!!!a doctor did the tree tea-macadamia nut 50-50 eyelid scrub and my corneas were both scratched and I could not see!!! No one seems to know or be able to really help! Please email me. I am frantic…thank you Suzanne
Hi Suzanne,
Sounds like you are in a bad way. Is there any way that you can get to see an opthalmologist with short notice ?
Did you notice the TTO leaking into you eyes during the scrubs ?
davidp.
I have had rosacea for about 10 years with mostly mild redness. BUT, 4 months ago I broke out with a full blown case of pimples, papules and pustules, cysts, roughness of skin, and extreme redness… I looked hideous. Dermatologist prescribed doxycycline (100mg 2x/day) and metrogel, and said I would have to use it for months or maybe years. I didn’t like the idea of taking strong antibiotics long term so did a lot of research to find the cause, not just treat it temporarily.
I came to believe that demodex mites were the underlying cause. I started on a borax/peroxide treatment I found on Earthclinic website. (See below). It took a long time to work, but after 2 months, it improved greatly. Like most treatments, it got worse before it got better - lots of pus filled pimples erupted and drying out of skin initially. As my skin got smoother, I actually confirmed that I had these mites. I could see them when I examined my face with a strong magnified mirror (15x) by a window with good indirect sunlight. I could just see their heads slightly erupted on the skin. I took a good fine pair of slanted tweezers and could easily pull them out. They look just like the image posted above. I could only see them in the magnified mirror. Everyday I would pull out dozens of them. I suppose they came out when they got poisoned by the borax. It was gross, but I had to do it.
I am on my third month of treatment and my skin is clear and smooth and I only have just some redness left caused by the capillary veins. A few of these mites still show up about every 3 days now, but mostly just on my chin and not nearly as many. I plan to continue this treatment for a while longer. I highly recommend this treatment. I did not have any side effects from the topical or ingested borax.
I also used the oil cleansing method to exfoliate my skin during the bad drying/scabbing period. theoilcleansingmethod.com. It was very gentle and worked quite well on my sensitive skin. And I used only Cetaphil to wash my face, and Cetaphil lotion for moisture. I also added borax to my laundry loads to kill any mites that might be on my sheets and towels.
When I went back to the dermatologist after 2 months, she thought my skin looked so, so much better. I told her I didn’t use the prescriptions and told her about the mites and my homemade treatment. She was suspicious and I offered to show her these mites so she can see them under a microscope but she refused to even look! I can’t believe that most doctors refuse to believe or even investigate the possibility of demodex cause/solution for rosacea.
This is the borax/peroxide/alkalize remedy I used as recommended by Ted at Earthclinic.com:
Ted from Bangkok, Thailand: Firstly a Rosacea can either be a demodectic mites, this is the one I encountered, and or it can be a form of mycoplasma or fungus like organism. The second one is harder to get rid of. In both cases it responds to borax and hydrogen peroxide remedy. Therefore, I had to revised my remedy to deal better the second condition, where usually the borax remedies require (the updated one) 1/8 or 1/4 teaspoon of borax, plus at least 30 drops of hydrogen peroxide 3% in one liter of drinking water. Alkalization is needed still, usually the simplest one, not necessarily the most effective, is 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water taken once in the morning and once in the evening. However, a more effective one I have found is the use of carbicarb remedy, which requires 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon of sodium carbonate (washing soda, both are usually Arm & Hammer’s brand). in 1/2 glass of water taken twice a day. These are the minimum dose, usually for alkalizing that adds to the effectiveness of the remedy, but 10 drops of H2O2 to alkalizing remedy further adds to their effectiveness also.
Use externally: The method of killing them is external application of 1% hydrogen peroxide with borax saturated solution to the face, unrinsed. It tends to cause drying. So you can apply appropriate lotions to prevent drying, such as jojoba oil, aloe vera or lavender oil.”
* Excerpt from:
http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/rosacea_questions.html
Hi Kate,
could you please email me if earthclinic borax/peroxide=really worked for you without side effects?
And if jojoba oil and others are not actually feeding the mites??I have bad experience with extra virgin olive oil on face as it feels like marching ants and wierd itchy, even though my GP doctor just by looking at me said that- the shiny one next to each other tiny egg-like appearence-on my cheeks is just dry skin and not mites…
I am suffering with Rosacea since 2003, although lately after 15mnths of antibiotics course it worsen rapidly and from little white pimples became bigger blister white pustules which travels around the face and neck with uneven redness, spider web likes routes between them and dry hard bumpy skin. I also suffer from dandruffs and similar things around eyelashes and eyebrows as whole my face is dry-I just wash with hard UK water thats all i use, no creams, cleansing etc. now.
However, will appreciate any kind of info of how to cure Rosacea.
many thanks
fren
please email me on: frrenchie@yahoo.fr
I’ve had the same experience as Red in swimming pools. Many times.
Also, I have always noticed that getting dust on my face is the WORST aggravator of rosacea. I was always really careful of getting dust on my face, or touching my face when I might have dust on my hands. People think I’m neurotic, but I know it has a really bad effect on me. I used to tell my bf not to touch my face with his fingers unless he’d just washed his hands. He thought I was crazy! But now I think it may be related to the mites? Are these the same ones that live in dust?
Hi Davidp,
thanks for stating what is killing the DEMODEX mites (different from bed or home-dust mites, right?), it’s a great help. I would also like to know if anyone think that Seabuckthorn Oil kills DEMODEX mites on face as my skin is very sensitive and I am a bit worried to use the TeaTree oil.
What about NEEM OIL-anyone used it to kill DEMODEX?
Please let us all know
many thanks and good luck
fren
Hi Fren,
I have not been able to find any evidence that Seabuckthorn Oil has any effect on demodex mites. You are well advised to be careful with tea tree oil on your face as it can be very harsh.
Is an oral treatment like Ivermectin a possibility ?
The link between rosacea and demodex is still very preliminary, so please don’t think it is a given that this will guarantee a benefit.
davidp.
Just in regards to neem oil, this paper reviewed here did not mention this as either being effective or not in killing demodex mites.
last year I had mites under skin everywhere couldn`t even touch my own face without spreading them greater i ended up trying over 30 poisoness solutions of doctor not 1 worked..I asked my doctor 2 give me ivermectin lied and got 4 times the amount needed..I tried the required amount.didn`t work left week & half then had another strong dose. this worked a treatment 6 mnths on i kept gettin symtems back however they lie dormant for mnths before visable and my doc wont help.I thought it was scabies last year, I was working with engineering and now again and now I feel em coming back..Only I`ts not dermatites I have cream does nothing any 1 with any comments what are these mites sounds like scabies but i not convinced I been great for 9months now symptoms starting up again
neem oil is a great releaver for anyone with itchy burning or inflamed skin. It soothing properties are the best Ive seen,However it DOES NOT CURE or kill parrasites
I would like to buy ORGANIC Tea Tree 100% Pure Australian Oil (100ml+),
culled from the leaves of a tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), Pharmaceutical Grade of less than 5% cineole and over 35% terpinen-4-ol
which qualifies for “Pharmaceutical Grade”, as established by the Australian Tea Tree Oil Industry Association
and ORGANIC TTO PRODUCTS to Contain the Natural Benefits of Tea Tree Oil (can contain other organic ingredients like Aloe Vera, etc.) but having difficulty to find it free from SLS/SLES, Parabens, phthalates and artificial fragrances etc. or it does not state: PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE and its percentage- I need at least 50% TTO in all products: facial non- soap cleanser, shower gel, shampoo, lotion, cream, deodorant, toothpaste (e.g. 50% tea tree oil with Macadamia nut oil, applied with cotton tip applicators, after one drop of tetracaine, then 20% and 10% tea tree oil ointment for dry inflamed eyelids on Demodex Folliculorum/ Brevis. TTO Products on face- mild pustular ROSACEA).
Anyone there could help (UK London based, it is needed by this Sunday 12/10/2008), please?
Many thanks for any suggestions
Hi All, I wanted to share my real experience with you. For myself I had type 2 rosacea (with pustules) here and there. Very reactive skin. Anyway I tried the z cream, and it significantly brought me into remission, however my problem came back. I believe, I could have stayed on treatment longer, but did not(might have been the problem) Anyway, I have noticed since I bought a certain cream that keeps my skin less oily and protects my capilleries(it is an excellent cream to prevent oily skin) which I had a terrible problem with which mites thrive on, my theory is as long as I use the cream and use less make up, keep my skin from getting oily,//// keeps them away. I seldom flare now, only the odd time under stress, drinking alcohol, however my rosacea has greatly improved. I firmly believe in the demodex and really believe in keeping my skin at bay from these critters taking over again as they caused me alot of grief and THANK GOD for that z cream, which potentially was the proof of my underlying problem, which I was really sceptical as anyone would be. good luck and dont give up!!! I never did.
tamara
Hi Tamara and Everyone,
Well, I was diagnosed with much higher than usual numbers of demodex since my last post. I finally found a good derm and she asked me if she could take some skin samples, without my even suggesting it!
Tamara, I’m confused — is there a second cream that you find helpful, besides ZZ cream? Can you please share the name with us?
Thanks!
Gabriella
gabriella….something else to get rid of the critters…there is borax solution on earth clinic….email me gabriella, I will help you
Tamara, I’m not sure how to email you. Are you the same Tamara on the Yahoo Group — I will try to email you that way.
Thanks!
Gabriella
Hi Everyone, I just want to say that since I found this website, all of you have gave me more hope than I could possibly imagine. I have had Rosacea since 2005 which came out of nowhere during my first pregnancy. It seemed to be going away after I had my son, then I got pregnant again and it was all over my face with pustules and severe redness. I feared taking anything because I did not want to harm my child so I waited until I stopped nursing my second son. I was on Doxycyclin for about 7 months and applied Metrogel twice a day. My Rosacea seemed abou 50% better and I decided at that point taking antibiotics any longer would cause other problems. It has been about 10 months now since I stopped the antibiotics and my face has not had any major flare ups. I still continue to use the Metrogel once a day and use Murad Redness Sensitivity products, cleanser, lotion, etc. My cheeks are still red and I have breakouts of pustules every couple of days. I really do need to get this under control and I am tired of the Metrogel. I do believe however that the Metrogel has kept the problem from worsening. I want to get laser surgery on my cheeks but don’t believe it would be a good idea until I stop these breakouts. Could someone please help me figure out what I should do next? I am confused which product to start with and I do not want to risk having a major flare up and have to start over again. I am kind of stuck on Metrogel and want to use something more natural. Thanks everyone and good luck to all of you. I know I have struggled socially..still do because some stranger has to ask why my face is so red.
Anyway, let me know what you think. Thanks!
Jen
Hi everyone,
Reading all these reviews does not give me hope for none of you really said that some product help to get rid of demotex(mites).
My demodex really spread on my legs and arms and it itch badly.
I also scratch it until it bleeds and then I have scars, awful.
I just order sea buckthorn oil to try and praying it will help.
It fills like something is crawling under my skin and then skin peels off.
I had it since I was a little girl and only had it on my face. Now it is everywhere.
I’m 25 now and devastated, confused hopeless.
If anyone got rid of this demodex completely, Please let me know.
thank you.
Hi! Julie, Are you sure your skin problems are caused by dermodex mite? A Skin Specialist could soon advise you . Just a skin scraping and a 400% magnification examination would detect them. Then you would know for sure. DavidC.
Hi All,
I have been diagnosed to have Demodex. I am 38 years old. Please suggest what to do… I am so depressed… Is her any way to get rid of this mites for ever???
Please help.
Thank you.
Khato,
I was diagnosed a month ago and prescribed Rosac Cream 2 x a day. It is quite harsh on the skin though, so I have been alternating with ZZ Cream (from China, but you can find it online). My skin has already improved quite a bit in only one month. Today I am going to the derm for a follow up appt.
As far as getting rid of them permanently, I have my doubts. From everything I’ve read, it takes a few months to get rid of most and then with continued maintenance (some cream every few days), you can keep them away.
Good luck to you!
Gabriella
Yes, it is demodex mite for when I was sixteen I had skin test.
But as usual they would prescribe some useless creams that do not help.
You know I was thinking to quit eating chocolate and I’m talking junk all these processed cookies and fake candy bars.
I want to start eating good and real staff like organic dark chocolate more organic fruits and veggie; I heard dark chocolate is good for the body.
I read somewhere that processed sugar really messes your metabolism.
Ever since I was a child I ate that junk and I’m not over weight at all I’m 5′3 and 119 pounds.
I was thinking, If my body can’t fight those mites I got to help it.
I was diagnosed years ago with rosacea at a sick visit to my primary dr. I was there for another problem and wasn’t at all bothered when he labeled my red face as rosacea. At that time I never had any pustules or papules, and the flushing was minimal. I actually thought it gave me a healthy glow. About 4 months ago, I noticed 2 bumps on my cheeks and thought it was from too much sun exposure while on vaca in Puerto Rico. I started touching, and aggravating them with creams and lotions. Every day I would wake up to more bumps. Then I noticed the pustules. Soon I realized I had full blown rosacea. My skin became disfigured and I was headed toward a major depression. I decided to buckle down and do some research. At about the same time theses symptoms became worse I noticed significant hair loss and my eyelids were twitching all the time. After researching demodex, I called my derm dr. I told him my theory but he was reluctant, so I told him I would end up purchasing elimite online, so he buckled down and handed over a few prescriptions to deal with the demodex. I applied the elimite to one side of my face and not the other. When I woke up the next morning all the bumps on that side moved to the other side of my face. I was convinced that those nanoinsects found a better breeding ground on the med free side. So now I concluded that I had demodex, but felt more comfortable treating with tea tree oil than the drug. After one total face application I noticed a big difference. It has been one week of daily facial application of tea tree oil and I am rosacea free….. YES ROSACEA FREE! iT IS THAT EASY! I praise tea tree oil for saving my face!
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