What Is Demodex Blepharitis?
We all have some bacteria on our skin. Some people, however, have more bacteria or mites – specifically Demodex mites – at the base of their eyelashes. This can cause eyelid swelling and dandruff-like flakes called blepharitis, like what you see in the picture.
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids that usually involves the part where the eyelashes grow. It occurs when tiny oil glands located near the base of the eyelashes become clogged, leading to irritated, red eyes and eyelids.
Several diseases or conditions can cause blepharitis, and it is often referred to as a chronic condition that can be difficult to treat. People who suffer from blepharitis tend to feel insecure and experience a lot of discomfort. However, it is important to note that it doesn’t cause permanent damage to your eyesight and is not contagious.
Types of Blepharitis
There are generally two types of blepharitis:
Causes of Blepharitis
So what is the leading cause of blepharitis? The exact cause of blepharitis isn’t clear. It is often associated with factors like:
- Seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff of the scalp and eyebrows
- A bacterial infection
- Clogged or malfunctioning oil glands in your eyelids
- Rosacea, a skin condition characterized by facial redness
- Allergies, like allergic reactions to eye medications, contact lens solutions or eye makeup
- Eyelash mites or lice like Demodex mites
What Is the Best Blepharitis Treatment?
There are some blepharitis home remedies and treatments you can try at home:
Warm compresses, eyelid scrubs, skin and eyelid hygiene
But if your blepharitis is because of Demodex mites, traditional remedies usually don’t provide a complete and lasting remedy. In this case, the solution is to eradicate Demodex mites from your eyelashes.
Blepharitis that is connected to Demodex mites is referred to as “Demodex blepharitis,” and Ungex will introduce its innovative treatment to eliminate Demodex mites, and as a result, it helps Demodex blepharitis improve.
Take Online Demodex Quiz
Test Demodex mite populations online with this handy questionnaire.
This quiz is exclusively created by Ungex, the mite professionals to help determine if Demodex mites are playing a role in the health of your skin.
Take this online test to estimate your demodex mite population density.
What Are Demodex Mites?
Demodex mites are microscopic parasites that live under hair follicles and in oil glands. These mites feed on the dead skin cells, oils that build up there, amino acids, vitamins and other substances.
They mostly live on the face, including the eyelids and eyelashes, and are linked to many issues such as hair loss, rosacea, acne and crawling sensation. Demodex mite overgrowth can lead to “Demodex blepharitis” as well.
The Relation Between Blepharitis and Demodex Mites
Blepharitis is often associated with an overgrowth of bacteria that live along the margins of the eyelids and at the base of the eyelashes.
Over time, these bacteria multiply and create a structure called a “biofilm.” This biofilm becomes a toxic environment similar to the plaque that forms on your teeth. Parasitic eyelash mites, known as Demodex mites, feed on biofilm, which in turn leads to an overgrowth of these mites and worsens eyelid inflammation.
These parasites can physically block the sebaceous glands, follicles, and skin pores, causing inflammation. They also secrete inflammatory substances, leading to swelling and allergies and exacerbate the inflammatory condition by pushing the immune system to react.
Bacteria in the eyelid biofilm also produce substances called “exotoxins” that cause inflammation of oil-secreting glands in the eyelids called meibomian glands. This causes a condition called “meibomian gland dysfunction,” which triggers (and worsens) dry eye discomfort and Demodex Blepharitis.
How to Treat Demodex Blepharitis?
In cases of blepharitis caused by Demodex mites, no treatment can work as effective and easy as anti-Demodex solutions.
You can not wipe out Demodex mites by simple rinsing or even frequent cleaning with soaps. They penetrate deep into the skin and lay eggs there. These parasites anchor to the hair roots with their long tails so tightly that it is not easy to detach them without employing the appropriate measures.
Demodex mites hate sunlight. They leave their shelter at night and come to the surface to mate and find nourishment. That is why you should apply Ungex anti-Demodex products at night. These products create a thin and invisible layer on the skin, which remains active until the morning. The parasites on the surface come in contact with this anti-Demodex layer and get exterminated.
Prolonged use of these products gradually eliminates all generations of Demodex mites so that there are no significant adult mites to mate and lay eggs and no more eggs to hatch into new larvae.
