How To Remove Mites On Your Eyelashes

Demodex, a species of microscopic mite that naturally occurs, is what causes mites on eyelash. When there is an infestation, these mites may be to blame for an itchy sensation on the eyelid.

The majority of the time, eyelash mites are not harmful and may even benefit human skin. However, if there are too many of them, they may result in eye inflammation and infection that must be treated right once to prevent damage to your vision.

Causes of Eyelash Mites

Demodex mites consume dead skin, thus those who have rosacea or are susceptible to dandruff are more likely to have infestations of eyelash mites. Even though the mites are naturally present, some circumstances can lead to an increase in their number on your skin.

The following conditions have been connected to outbreaks of eyelash mites:

• Dermatitis
• Rosacea
• Alopecia
• Inflammatory acne
• Weakened immune system
• Skin infections
• HIV

Because they increase the amount of dandruff on the skin, which the mites feed on, many of the aforementioned conditions can result in infestations of eyelash mites. For instance, the National Rosacea Society discovered that individuals with rosacea have 18 times more Demodex mites on their skin than individuals without rosacea. Although rosacea does not directly increase the number of eyelash mites, it does foster an environment that is favorable to these mites.

Removing Mites from Eyelashes

Keep your eyelids clear of crusts so that mites and their eggs do not have a place to live and grow if you have blepharitis brought on by eyelash mites.

The following at-home remedies for eyelash mites are suggested for mild to moderate cases:

• Warm compresses should be used to break up eyelid crust.
• Scrub your eyelid gently to get rid of any crust.
• To wash your eyes, use water and baby shampoo.
• Cleanse your face and eyes thoroughly two to three times every day.

Medical intervention may be required in cases of severe eyelash mite infestations or when a bacterial infection is present. Among the medical remedies for blepharitis are:

• Steroid eye drops
• Antibiotic eyelid creams

As one of the best self-care techniques for treating eyelash mites, the American Optometric Association (AOA) suggests warm eyelid soaks. Additional self-care measures to lessen eyelash mite symptoms include:

• If dry eye is an issue, use artificial tears or lubricating ointments.
• On the scalp, apply anti-dandruff shampoo.
• As soon as the mite infestation is under control, stop wearing eye makeup. Old makeup that was applied around the eyes during the infestation should be thrown away.
• Until your treatment is finished, refrain from wearing contacts.

Since many cases of eyelash mites return, maintaining good eye care is essential for averting breakouts in the future. According to AOA, blepharitis seldom completely goes away, therefore it is critical to remain diligent in seeing early signs and managing them.

Treatment Timeline

Infestations of eyelash mites should disappear within a few days to a week with the use of at-home and professional treatment options. However, it can be more difficult to treat chronic cases. After a few days, symptoms may go away only to come back a few weeks later.