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- For those of you who are not familiar with Demodex, it is a microscopic
mite that is found living in the hair follicles or sebaceous glands of most humans and
animals. Sometimes Demodex is also called "Face Mite", since it is usually
associated with blackheads, acne and other skin discorders. Demodex are harmless and they
do not transmit diseases.
- Up until recently, a majority of the research conducted on Demodex were
focused on animals. There have been very few studies about Demodex's effects on humans.
- In 1995, the Faculty of Agriculture (Miyazaki University, Japan) documented
a case report on the treatment of demodicosis in the golden hamster. The study was
conducted on a 1.6 year-old male hamster presented with alopecia on its back. The
hamster's physical condition is below average. Moderate swelling of the skin was observed.
Demodex were identified during the examination of the animal's skin tissue. However, the
researchers did not conclude whether Demodex was the cause of alopecia in the hamster. It
was possible that the mites simply infested an area of the hamster that happened to be
bald. The initial treatment given to the hamster was a combination of 1% selenium
sulfide shampoo and a topical application of 0.013% amitraz. This combination therapy
turned out to be unsuccessful. The researchers then proceeded to treat the hamster with
repeated use of 0.017% coumaphos which turned out to be effective in achieving a complete
cure of the alopecia on the hamster. No adverse side effects were reported in this case
study.
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