What does a tick look like under a person’s skin: photos, symptoms and treatment

Human skin is a favorable place where various bacteria, fungi and parasites can settle, one of which is a subcutaneous tick. In small amounts, these pathogenic microorganisms are present in everyone, performing the functions of normalizing the level of acidity in the epidermis. However, with a violation of the immune system in humans, a sharp multiplication of parasites occurs, which affects the negative state of the skin.

What is a subcutaneous tick

Demodex It is a conditionally pathogenic parasite that constantly lives in the inner layers of the epidermis, in the sebaceous glands, inside the base of the hair follicles. The main diet of a subcutaneous tick in humans: particles of dead skin and fats.

On a note!

For a long time, parasites do not cause trouble while the immune system is in a stable state. But when it is weakened, the skin tick begins to penetrate deeper inside, which is expressed by negative symptoms for a sick person, associated with damage to the epidermis on the face, hands, head and other parts of the body.

Due to the small size of 0.1-0.4 mm, this parasite is not visible to the naked eye. To understand what a tick looks like under a person’s skin, you should look at his photo taken under a microscope. Outwardly, he looks like a creature, the front of which resembles common tickand the back is a worm. That is why its name "Demodex" is translated from Latin as "worm".

Such parasites can come to the surface of the skin and move along it at a speed of 8-16 cm / h, which they usually do at night due to photophobia.

Specialists determine 2 types of subcutaneous ticks, depending on the size and habitat:

• Short (Demodex brevis), eating sebum. Settles on the face, neck and shoulders, in rare cases, the appearance of a subcutaneous tick on the back and other parts of the human body.
• Long or Demodex folliculorum (Demodex folliculorum) - localized on the hair follicles: eyelashes, hair and eyebrows.

Both varieties can move on the surface of the skin in search of nutrition, preferring oily areas, they do not settle on dry ones. They are not able to penetrate into the internal organs of a person.

A disease in which epidermis is damaged by subcutaneous ticks is called demodicosis. Inflammatory processes in such a disease are caused not by the very existence of parasites, but by the release of their waste products, which provoke allergic reactions in the form of epidermal lesions. Also, a subcutaneous tick is called acne.

Important!

Demodex can easily enough transferred from one person to another, infection occurs through the contacts of the skin or hair.

Where does the subcutaneous tick come from?

Since this parasite is conditionally pathogenic, a small amount of it is present in the upper layers of the epidermis and hair follicles of people constantly.Painful manifestations are usually fixed against the background of failures in the patient's body, due to which there is an active reproduction

Negative symptoms in the presence of a subcutaneous tick in a person usually appear under the influence of the following reasons:

• a failure in the endocrine system, which affects the increase in the production of sebum, pore enlargement, which acts favorably for the reproduction of ticks;
• changes in the hormonal background, which leads to a violation of the pH and activation of the sebaceous glands - usually observed in women during periods associated with menstruation, pregnancy or menopause;
• decreased human immunity due to stress, depression, emotional shock, which leads to increased production of hormones responsible for overall well-being;
• improper nutrition, including a large amount of fatty, floury foods, coffee, spices, leads to changes in the skin, especially on the face;
• frequent visits to the solarium lead to trauma to the epidermis, through the damage of which microorganisms penetrate;
• the use of low-quality cosmetic preparations can lead to clogging of pores, which creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of a tick in the skin of the face and body;
• other factors: poor ecology, prolonged colds, temperature changes, etc.

On a note!

Most often, demodex affects children in their teens, in which hormonal changes in the body occur during this period. Also, the disease can occur in women during pregnancy and in the elderly.

Symptoms of a subcutaneous tick

The main signs of demodicosis in humans:

• the appearance of a rash on the face, which begins with redness, and then turns into acne, papules and ulcers, as seen in the photo of a tick on a person;
• redness and shine on the skin, which do not pass for a long time, a manifestation of tuberosity;
• with demodicosis of the eyelids, irritation begins around the eyes, the skin itches, lacrimation and small seals appear, scales, eyelashes stick together and even fall out;
• on the affected areas there is a feeling of dryness and itching, which intensify in the evening, when the parasites are activated;
• the appearance of a vascular network, the removal of which will require additional treatment after the removal of the subcutaneous tick;
• with a lesion of the nose, an increase in its size occurs, a red-cyanotic shade appears;
• in the advanced stage of the disease, the skin changes color to tan or gray, the face looks like a mask, seals and purulent bloody crusts appear.

Important!

In the absence of mite therapy on the skin of the eyelids, patients often have persistent barley, which is converted to halazion, a chronic disease that occurs when the sebaceous glands are blocked in the eyes and fluid accumulates. Also eye tick often causes blepharitis or blepharoconjunctivitis. A prolonged course of the disease causes visual impairment due to damage to the cornea.

All unpleasant symptoms not only worsen the appearance of a sick person, but also make him a threat to transmission of infection to other family members. Therefore, it is imperative to observe personal hygiene, using all household items individually.

Stages of the disease and diagnosis

Demodecosis in humans, according to the severity and development of the disease, takes place in 4 stages: erimatous, pustular, papular, combined form of the disease.

If there are negative symptoms and a suspicion of such a disease, in order to know for sure that the tick under the skin is the cause of inflammatory or pustular processes, you should seek help from specialists.

To clarify the diagnosis, the attending dermatologist examines the patient and some demodecosis tests:

• study of the secret from the sebaceous glands, scrapings from skin tissues;
• analysis of the contents of acne;
• examination of the fluid that is released from the eyes when the eyelids are affected;
• analysis of eyelashes and follicles of hair on the head, where mass accumulation of parasites is possible;
• general examination and questioning of the patient for chronic and hormonal diseases, which are the root cause of increased activity of parasites.

On a note!

When sending for tests several days before the procedure, it is strictly forbidden to use any cosmetics, ointments, tonics and creams, since they will affect the clinical indicators.

In accordance with the studies, the specialist makes a diagnosis and selects the necessary course of therapy.

Demodecosis Treatment

For the treatment of subcutaneous ticks, the use of complex methods is necessary:

• to get rid of the reason for their active reproduction: to restore the hormonal background, support the immune system, cope with high emotionality and stress;
• eliminate the external symptoms of the disease.

Integrated demodicosis therapy includes the following activities:

• Improving the diet: the rejection of spicy, salty, smoked and fried foods, coffee, alcoholic beverages;
• dieting: the use of dairy products, vegetables and fruits, low-fat varieties of meat and fish;
• maintaining clean skin, including facial hygiene, the absence of cosmetics that clog pores, washing with a cold soapy solution several times a day;
• medicines: antihistamines;
• the use of ointments.

Antiparasitic therapy is carried out in stages, usually it is delayed due to the impossibility of penetration of drugs through the outer cover into the tick and the parallel treatment of concomitant diseases. After the 1st course, repeated analyzes are done, and then the 2nd course is prescribed according to another scheme.

Ointments for the treatment of demodicosis

The attending physician recommends the use of special ointments composed of active ingredients that contribute to the destruction of the subcutaneous tick, reduce the production of fat and close pores.

Medical facilities: Metronidazole or its analogues (Ornidazole, Trichopolum, etc.) is an antiparasitic and antimicrobial drug.

Therapeutic ointments:

• Ichthyol - contains petrolatum and ichthyol resin, it belongs to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs, draws out pus and heals damage.
• Permethrin - its active component penetrates the chitinous shell of ticks and paralyzes them.
• Sulfuric - is the most popular for getting rid of subcutaneous parasites, has drying, antimicrobial properties, causes the death of parasites, restores and heals injuries and wounds. Its main advantage is the permission to use in children, starting from 2 months of age.
• Yam - therapeutic ointment containing birch tar, salicylic and carbolic acids, lanolin and petrolatum. Effectively destroys the subcutaneous tick, accelerates the healing of ulcers and ulcers. According to patients and doctors, this remedy is effective in demodicosis.
• Benzyl benzoate - contains stearic, citric and benzoic acids, which penetrate the shell of parasites and kill them, is available in the form of an emulsion and ointment.
• Delex-acne gel - a medicine with sulfur to remove acne.
• Demalan is a special cream for the eyelids and face that contains 17 active ingredients: metronidazole, glycans, chamomile extract, etc. It relieves inflammation, reduces allergy, affects metabolic and reparative processes in skin tissues, reduces itching and swelling. Before applying Demalan, it is recommended to clean the skin from crusts twice with tincture of calendula or eucalyptus twice (interval 15 minutes).

On a note!

When diagnosing demodicosis in a child, the doctor prescribes more sparing drugs. Ointments with tar or sulfur, Mayfule cream, Demodex stop spray, etc. are recommended.

Folk methods

In addition to the use of pharmaceuticals, it is recommended 2 times a day to use a medicine for a subcutaneous tick in the form of a talker, which is prepared at home.

Recipes of the therapeutic talker:

1. Main ingredients: 100 ml of salicylic alcohol, 4 tablets of Levomycetin and 4 - Trichopolum, which must be crushed to a powder state. Pour the prepared mixture into a glass bottle and use as a tonic for application to the affected areas in the morning and evening. After treatment, a nourishing cream is applied to the chatterbox to avoid overdrying the skin.
2. Shredded 2 tablets of Trichopolum mixed with 1 tbsp. l of castor oil. It is recommended to apply in the evening on the affected areas, do not rinse and leave until the morning.

Herbal remedies for the treatment of demodicosis in humans:

• The infusion of celandine is made from 250 g of crushed fresh roots and 200 ml of vegetable oil, which are set for infusion in a sunny or warm place for 2 weeks. Then strain and pour into glass containers sealed with dark paper so that light does not penetrate, it is better to store in the refrigerator. Before processing, a little infusion should be mixed with sour cream and applied to the affected area, you can bury it in the nose, ears, eyes, etc.
• A 6% solution of apple cider vinegar is also used to treat demodicosis, however, when applying it in the eyes, one should be careful not to get into the visual organs.
• To clean the affected areas and rinse hair, you can use folk remedies- decoctions of calendula and chamomile, to which grated tar soap is added in a proportion of 15 g per 1 liter of liquid.

Although treatment can take a long time, you should not despair. Timely contacting a specialist and conducting complex treatment will help to successfully defeat subcutaneous ticks and cure demodecosis in humans.