Announcement

**Randolph** · 18-Jan-2010, 03:51

I already have a list compiled at home and I'll be posting it soon, but I've not added anything mentioned in these links to that list.

Also, note that demodex is found or can be found on your face, as well (there is a theory that they are the cause or one possible cause of rosacea), and it seems reasonable to me to assume that you'd have to kill the ones on your face as well, so that they wouldn't recolonize your the foliciles of your lashes.

Here are the links:

http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=966266 - a guy here says he has something that kills demodex and says four natural ingridients will do the job (he says distilled water is one of them ???!). Have been meaning to contact him, but having no time I never got around to it. The guys on that forum also talk about some kind of a zapper that can kill them

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15492433?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez. Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.P ubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=4&log$=relatedarticles& logdbfrom=pubmed

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9743939?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.P ubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pu bmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=2&log$=relatedarticles&l ogdbfrom=pubmed

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9...ubmed_RVDocSum

http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20090214676

http://fd4445545.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=17242107

http://fd4445545.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...t=AbstractPlus

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18561612?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez. Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.P ubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=2&log$=relatedreviews&l ogdbfrom=pubmed

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...ubmed_RVDocSum

http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/showt...emodex#post827

http://www.docguide.com/news/content...h_Box=All%20DG

http://www.osnsupersite.com/searchRe...te=Srch_OSN-SS

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...ee.html?cat=68

More coming up later...

If you want to get into researching demodex and going through these links or are currently doing research on your own, please post to let me know so we can coordinate our efforts.

**calcan** · 18-Jan-2010, 08:10

Thanks for doing the research. I visited the website of Chinese cures - have you tried the eye ointment that's listed there?

**bernmee** · 18-Jan-2010, 12:38

What is refractory blepharitis as oppose to just blepharitis?

Does the regular blepharitis person have refractory blepharitis?

Tea tree oil is well know to kill just about anything, citter, germ or yeast infection...and is commonly used for killing public lice and hair lice. Usually though it does have to be applied for a couple of hours, that is left on as you go about your business, but maybe if you were to use it every day it woudl have the same effect.

As for a 50% solution, that would worry me. The usual is a 10% solution. This stuff can really really really do some damage if used incorrectly.

Another good one to look at is neem oil, it is solid at room temp. but can be warmed gently and then mixed in with an eye cream. Here is a link for this. While I am not an expert and don't claim to be many cosmetic items already contain 'natural' oils, along with many other unnatural things.... you should be very careful with putting anything that is anyway strong near your eyes!

http://www.botanical.com/products/le...file/neem.html

Thats my thoughts,

B

**odydnas** · 18-Jan-2010, 15:50

I remember reading that 10% TTO isn't going to do the trick...so Sterilid wouldn't be enough. It's supposed to be weekly treatments of 50% TTO and daily treatments of 10% TTO. And the 50% treatment should be done in a doctor's office because it would not be good to get into the eyes.

**Randolph** · 19-Jan-2010, 10:48

Hey everyone, as I said, I'm very busy, and in particular now, things are very hectic, so if I don't report back at any point for a few days don't think I disappeared or gave up. I will be posting the list I've compiled and the rest of the links by Thursday at the latest.

bernmee, thanks for the neem oil suggestion.

Thanks for doing the research. I visited the website of Chinese cures - have you tried the eye ointment that's listed there?

Npoe, haven't tried anything yet.

The plan is to go through all these links I've posted (and the ones I will be posting) and compile a list of stuff that can kill demodex (I already have a big one, as I said), and then go about finding out which of those creams and oils etc. is the safest to apply to the lids.

The thing is, I no longer have any time on my hands at all and all this research I've done is just sitting there going to waste, which kills me, not only because the answer that will finally get me out of dry eye HELL is there somewhere, but also because I've spent months and soooo many tedious, eyeburning hours in front of the monitor working at this thing.

My hope is that there's someone out there who's, like me, doing some research and we could coordinate our efforts and pool our knowledge or maybe someone with a degree in chemistry who could tell me whether there's any way to know how safe these chemicals are (because God only knows how I'll figure that out) or if you're just someone who thinks they might have demodex and wants to start doing research, post here so we can organize ourselves.

It's a pretty big project, putting the list together is not that hard, it's just tedious plodding work going through all those links and writing things down, but it's figuring out how safe these things are that's going to be a problem, so if there's anyone else doing this out there we should organize ourselves and keep a mutual list.

I remember at some point towards the time when I stopped my research stumbling upon a forum where people talked about some cream that can do the trick (this is probably the thing calcan mentioned) and I remember thinking that that might be it, a safe way. Hopefuly that is, indeed, what calcan brought up, because this could be a quick solution. If anyone stumbles onto this, I think it's the forum of the company that sells this cream, please post.

**Guest** · 19-Jan-2010, 11:08

If it's any help, here's what I've tried with tea tree oil (TTO): In all cases, I would close my eyes tightly the entire time I had the stuff on my lids... after 1 minute, I would wash it off.

1) 1 part 100% TTO mixed with 4 parts olive oil: No matter how tightly I tried to squeeze my eyes shut while applying it, or washing it off, it would leak into my eyes and BURN...

2) TTO from The Body Shop: this stuff is 15% TTO... it didn't leak into my eyes as badly as mixture #1, but still leaked in a bit, so I quit

3) 1 part 100% TTO with 4 parts Cetaphil skin cleanser: same results as mixture #2

4) TheraLid cleanser: this contains TTO in an unspecified concentration. It causes no irritation for me.

**Randolph** · 21-Jan-2010, 11:23

I'm having trouble finding the rest of my links, I've found only one more, but there's lots more stored somewhere but I'm so disorganized and don't have time right now to find them.

This is probably mentioned in the article in the first link I posted, but in case it isn't, demodex spend their day in the folliciles of your lashes, and go out onto your lashes at night to mate, so, probably it's better to apply any kind of treatment at night.

http://rosacea-support.org/demodex-mites-treatment

I'm sorry for the list being so chaotic I just don't have the time to organize it. Here it is:

http://www.keratosispilaris.org/trea...akthrough.html
----------------------------------------------
I also heard that castor oil will kill the demodex mites, and even though I wasn't diagnosed with that, I thought it wouldn't hurt.

http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/showt...odex#post42260
-------------------------
life span 19-24 days
-------------------------------
� Benzyl benzoate 10%-12%
� Permethrin 1%, 5%
� Crotamiton 10%
� Metronidazole 0.75%, 1.0%, 10%
� Lindene (gamma benzene hexachloride)
� Sublimed sulphur
� Danish ointment
� Benzoyl peroxide 5% - 10%
--------------------------------
� Tetracyclines
� Oral retinoids
-------------------------------
Demodex folliculorum and topical treatment:
acaricidal action evaluated
by standdarized skin surface biopsy
F. Forton, et al, Br J Dermatol 1998; 138: 461-6
Topical treatments tested:
� Metronidazole 2% twice daily
� Permethrin 1% for 10 min, every 2 days
� Sublimed sulphur 10%, once every 2 days
� Lindane 1%, once every 2 days
� Crotamiton 10% once daily
� Benzyl benzoate 10% twice daily
...............................
The most potent topical treatment is
benzoyl peroxide 5-10% (62 pts)
� Other beneficial treatments: benzyl
benzoate 10%-12% (12pts),
crotamiton 10% + permethrin 5% (15
pts), topical metronidazole 10% (1pt)
-------------------------------
All were treated with benzoyl peroxide 5%
-----------------------------
Good response to 1% permethrin cream
---------------------
0.5% selenium sulfide cream can be used. Others such as 4% pilocarpine gel or an ointment of 10% sulfur and 5% balsam
--------------------
Studies have also confirmed that ether, xylol, benzene, Danish (sulfur-containing) ointment can kill demodex in a few minutes.
----------------------------------------------------------
jasna.lipozencic@zg.tel.hr --> did research on demodex
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selenium sulphide cream, sulphur, HCH cream (kwell), gentamicin (sulfate), Others such as 4% pilocarpine gel or an ointment of 10% sulfur and 5% balsam are also said to be effective.
----------------------
ivermectin http://rosacea-support.org/demodex-m...tive-treatment
----------------------
perhaps the ingredient is boric acid?

mites in general do not like acid. for example, crows have a mite-repellant technique where they go and stir up a bullant nest, allow the ants to bite their feathers (not the body) .. the hydrochloric acid in the bullant bite will destroy arachoid mites (of which demodex are a sub-family).

imho, the issue with the eyes is not to blast demodex mites out of there, it is more about making the eyes �least attractive to demodex� .. and just as importantly, �least attractive to infected demodex�.

anything which the bacteria inside the stomach of the demodex does not like should be seen as a �good thing� and by virtue of connection, a strong anti-demodex treatment.

therefore, even if ocusoft�s promo claim is slightly hype-worthy, i am actually going to buy the product.

David, you mention tea-tree oil in passing - i must repectfully say to you .. well, i say hi! :-) and also, i mus say that tea tree oil is one of the most dangerous substances .. it works on the oestrogen .. it can turn the testosterone of young boys into oestrogen, in one medical study. that sounds very far fetched, however that is what they claimed. said there were similar issues with lavender oil.

people say tea tree oil is good � well, don�t believe everything you read. yes, it can help lessen rosacea symptoms for a time, but it is so extremely toxic to the human system that governments need to regulate it.

by Jasper
-------------------------------
sea buckthorn oil
-------------------------
For an even better treatment try:
1.) Apply �teatreeoil� strait. (E-Bay)
2.) After about an hour apply �Sno-Seal� (They use it
for leather products. It contains beeswax and other
ingredients.) (E-Bay or area stores)
3.) After about an hour apply �OCuSOFT PLUS� foam
(especially at night). (Drug stores)
I have found that by doing this throughout the day Rosecea Demonex Mites will eventually become less and less upon me. I have tried many products and found this to be the ONLY thing that really does work. I recently had a flareup and found this to be the cat�s ass. But it is not a cure, and never will be.
--------------------------
Vasline
--------------
Hello. I found what kills demonez roseca mites!!!Metrogel did not work. China Z-cream worked some,but not enough. Also, all sorts of other methods hardly worked at all. Now I know what works!!! �Snowseal,� a product used for leather works to kill demonex mites. It is bee�s wax based with some petroleum products mixed with it. It does work. Also, I found that a product called �Bestyet� works better to kill the bacteria associated with Roseca just under the skin. It is 10% cedar oil and a penetratant to soak into the skin. After the mites are gone try to use a product called �OCuSOFT� to help keep them away. All of these products are very inexpensive.
----------------------------------
Zhong Zhou Ointment
--------------------------
If you suspect demodex then, remedies are:
A. Kleenfree (non-toxic enzymic bed bug spray)(treats lice, too)
B. Borax/Peroxide (a treatment for dog mange)
C. Tea-tree oil (discussed on this website)
D. Premethrin Creme discussed by RoseD above.
E. Lice shampoo (note: this one sometimes has side-effects of turning faces red for a week).
-----------------------------
chlorine kills demodex? Borax kills them as well (BUT INDUCES ROSACEA REACTIONS?!?!?)Too much borax can turn blood vessels red, and potentially cause damage?
-------------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------
partial blindess has resulted from tea tree oil use near the eyes, and can also effect sexuality changes in men, believe it or not. there are big warnings about this recent experimental substance known as TTO. it has not been in widespread use for more than twenty five years.

�Dr. Safran said Dr. Tseng�s identification of tea tree oil to treat the Demodex is novel� - oh, dear. Novel. How about �incredibly dangerous, and not only but also, it is immunising bacteria on other parts of the body and potentially leading to staph infections and auto-immune dysfunction.�

er, i guess he wouldnt have said that, seeing as how some encouraging results have been seen in test tubes with a demodex mite and tea tree oil.

sure, it is also possible to put a mite in White King Bleach, and observe strong anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic effects.

the concern about TTO is that it�s negative and unwanted side effects can actually work via the olfactory nerve - sense of smell - and also, it is extremely aggressive toward skin cells, and will seep through many layers, very quickly.
---------------------------------------------
This is a good question. Tea tree oil is not soluble in water, so it is not so easy to dilute it. It is soluble in alcohol, but I wouldn�t want to put alcohol near my eye.

you could ask for the tea tree oil in- office treatment with Professor Buckley, that certainly kills the mites. The main thing in this is persistance with treatment!!! keep up the tea tree shampoo scrubs, do them twice a day, and make sure that you massage the lids for a full 3-5 mins each time. The brevis demodex invade the glands around your eyes, so before you do the shampoo scrubs, spend a few mins massaging the glands to uproot the nasty critters The cylindrical dandruf houses mites, so to remove that also removes mites.

all you need to do is to buy some tea tree oil shampoo, it needs to be at least 2% tea tree oil. Dilute it 50% with water and gently rub the solution along your closed eyelids for 3-5 mins, then rinse with water and dry. Do this twice a day, and be patient, your syptoms shoud start to improve. If you want the in-office procedure, you need an opth to perform it.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT IF YOU'RE CONSIDERING THIS, I WOULD URGE YOU TO DO IT ONLY UNDER A DOCTOR'S SUPERVISION.

Here are the instructions for domestic (home) lid scrub's as prescribed by the Dr. Tseng's office:

1. Squeeze .5 ml of Tea Tree Shampoo at both middle fingers, mix with water to generate the shampoo foaming (I also wet the eyes first to assist in foaming).

2. Close the eyes and massage the Tea Tree shampoo on both eyelids and lashes with a medium pressure for 3 to 5 minutes.

3. Rinse with a lot of clean water

4. Dry the lids with towel

5. Apply the procedure twice daily for one month and then apply it daily.
----------------------------------------
* The latest popular treatment regimen includes the use of 50% tea tree oil with Macadamia nut oil, applied with cotton tip applicators, after one drop of tetracaine.7
o Aggressively debride the lashes and the lash roots first with scrubs. Try to get the oil into the lash roots and along the lashes to kill any eggs. Treat the eyebrows as well. Three applications, 10 minutes apart, per visit are recommended; treatment is completed with compounded 20% tea tree ointment. Repeat for 3 visits, each one week apart.
o Home regimen includes the following:
+ Use tea tree shampoo on hair and eye lashes every day.
+ Use tea tree soap or face wash every day.
+ Buy new makeup and discard old makeup; do not use makeup for 1 week.
+ Clean sheets and buy new pillows.
+ Check spouse; if both have this problem, both need to be treated.
+ Check pets.
+ For the first few weeks, use the ointment at night after tea tree shampoo scrubs. If inflammation is present, combination steroid-antibiotic ointments may be applied for one week. This is then replaced with a pure antibiotic ointment or with compounded 10% tea tree ointment.

Consultations

Weekly follow-up visits for 4 weeks may be necessary in severe cases to monitor the effects of in-office and at-home treatment regimen.
Medication

Various treatments have been used to control Demodex mites. Most treatments involve spreading an ointment at the base of the eyelashes at night to trap mites as they emerge from their burrow and/or move from one follicle to another.
Antibiotics

Empiric antimicrobial therapy must be comprehensive and should cover all likely pathogens in the context of this clinical setting.

Erythromycin ointment (E-Mycin)

Belongs to the macrolide group of antibiotics. Basic and readily forms a salt when combined with an acid. Inhibits protein synthesis without affecting nucleic acid synthesis.
Used for the treatment of ocular infections involving the lids, conjunctiva, and/or cornea caused by organisms susceptible to it.

------------------------------------
I�ve been mixing the tea tree oil with macadamia nut oil - safran

**Randolph** · 22-Jan-2010, 11:34

I remember reading that the degree to which people are sensitive to demodex varies (I think I read this in an article quoting Dr. Tseng, maybe the one I posted the link to first) so someone might have heavy infestation with little consequences so this can be a factor in the result of studies

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...m&ordinalpos=5

Recent studies demonstrate a high frequence of chronic blepharitis when Demodex are abundant.

Several molecules can be used to treat this infestation. Parasiticide as oral ivermectine may be useful when the infestation is important.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17376393?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez. Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_SingleItemSupl.P ubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=1&log$=relatedarticles& logdbfrom=pubmed

After treatment, the Demodex count was reduced from 6.8 +/- 2.8 to 1 +/- 0.9 (standard deviation; P = .001). All patients showed dramatic resolution of ocular irritation, conjunctival inflammation, and all inflammatory, but not scarred, corneal signs; three patients showed improved vision.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16619830?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez. Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_SingleItemSupl.P ubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=5&log$=relatedreviews&l ogdbfrom=pubmed

Demodex is an etiological factor in chronic blepharitis.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17251800?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez. Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_SingleItemSupl.P ubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=1&log$=relatedarticles& logdbfrom=pubmed

Demodex potentially causes ocular surface inflammation, meibomian gland dysfunction, and lash abnormalities.

There are others showing that demodex can cause DES, and probably others that show that it doesn't. But the fact is, some people's DES is caused by demodex.

-----

Some other stuff I found

After the treatment of 32 cases with 4% pilocarpin HCl gel, we achieved a total cure in 12 eyes (37.5%), partial improvement in 13 eyes (40.6%), (making a total of 25 eyes, 78.1%). The treatment was unsuccessful in 7 eyes (21.9%). In patients with Demodex spp. cleansing with baby shampoo and treating by pilocarpin gel may be used in treatment.

The use of yellow mercurial ointment, sulphur ointment, camphorated oil, crotamiton, choline esterase inhibitors, sulfacetamide, steroids, antibiotics, as well as antimycotic drugs offers some improvement. A good response has been observed after oral application of ivermectin along with topical application of cream permethrin. However, the best results were obtained after 2% metronidazole gel or ointment treatment.

Announcement

Calling all demodex sufferers (and those who suspect they are)

Calling all demodex sufferers (and those who suspect they are)

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