Autoimmune Diseases and Demodex mites

How Autoimmune Diseases Can Cause High Population of Demodex Mites

In today’s blog post, we will be talking about the link between autoimmune diseases and Demodex mites, and how the immune system responses to Demodicosis infestation on the human skin.

What are Demodex mites?

Firstly, let’s touch base on the basic facts of Demodex mites. Demodex mite is a microscopic parasite found in or near the sebaceous glands. The two specifies typically found on human skin are known as Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis. Demodex infestations are usually harmless and do not show or cause symptoms to arise. However, if there is a high density of Demodex present on the skin, and if there is a case of an immune imbalance, they can be pathogenic and cause symptoms like acne, rosacea, and blepharitis to persist.

What is an autoimmune disease?

The immune system plays a role in protecting the human body from germs like bacteria and viruses by releasing proteins called antibodies to attack foreign cells.
However, there are conditions in which the immune system can mistake parts of your body (such as your joints or skin) as foreign objects and instead attacks your own body and its healthy cells. This condition is known as an autoimmune disease.

How Demodex mites are related to an autoimmune disease

For people with an autoimmune disease, they face more Demodex infestation and more skin and ocular inflammatory responses. Enhanced correlation between Demodex mites and autoimmune issues are fully observable in patients with rosacea and those with ocular disorders.
In these patients the Demodex triggers the immune response or the person’s underlying medical issues somehow encourage a greater population of Demodex mites

In a study [1], the presence of mites was determined by microscopic inspection of secretion from sebum glands. The immune response was evaluated in the peripheral blood by identifying membrane markers of different immune cells using monoclonal antibodies.

Demodex mites have the capacity to secrete bioactive molecules that affect the immune reactivity of sebocytes. Increasing mite numbers influenced interleukin-8 secretion by these cells [2].

Results of immunohistochemical [3] staining have shown that helper T lymphocytes predominate in the dermal infiltrate of demodicosis suggesting a possible role of cell-mediated immune response and delayed hypersensitivity. There also is evidence for a humoral immune response component with increased macrophages and Langerhans cells in the presence of infestation with Demodex.
People who suffer from an autoimmune disease face more Demodex mite infestation and more inflammatory responses of the skin and hair follicles. These mites trigger the immune response or any of one’s medical conditions and encourage an increase in Demodex population.

How about those with weakened immune system?

Those with a weakened immune system (such as from HIV or cancer) as well as those with a potential genetic predisposition, may be more predisposed to higher levels of demodex and a resulting rash.

How Ungex can help eliminate Demodex mites?

Our aim is to help those suffering from symptoms linked to high densities of Demodex mites by offering treatments that are appropriate and safe on all skin and hair types – including the most sensitive ones. Ungex products and care plan are to be used in conjunction with each other to help improve symptoms caused or irritated by Demodex such as rosacea, acne, blepharitis, hair loss, dandruff, and many more.

References:

• [1]. Akilov, Oleg & Mumcuoglu, Kosta. (2004). Immune response in demodicosis. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV. 18. 440-4. 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2004.00964.x.
• [2]. Br J Dermatol. 2018 Aug;179(2):420-430. doi: 10.1111/bjd.16540. Epub 2018 Jun 1.
• [3]. Sanfilippo, Angela M., and Joseph C. English. “Resistant scalp folliculitis secondary to Demodex infestation.” CUTIS-NEW YORK- 76.5 (2005): 321.