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Suggest Treatment For Symptoms Of Hair Follicle Mite Infestation

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Posted on Fri, 24 Apr 2015
Question: I don't know if I have dust mites crawling over me or lice. they don't bite they mainly move over my scalp and face into my eyes and nose. this happens on occasion especially during summer. they seem to leave behind stuff that looks like a small grain of sand on my skin. I know I will get this when my forehead and face gets itchy. I feel that when I scratch my skin I may be releasing these mites or their eggs. a couple of days later I feel them crawling over me especially at night. I don't have any other reactions to them as runny nose or asthma. I need to know what they are so I can treat and eradicate correctly. have you got any suggestions?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Heera Lal Poonia (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
it can be delusion. Please visit a psychiatrist.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX, welcome to HCM and thanks for choosing us.

I share your concerns as you have been facing such symptoms which trouble a person very much. Symptoms you have mentioned indicate delusional parasitosis, where you don't have real parasites or insects on your body but you feel them. Insects always bite if they are on your body so it confirms that there are no real insects. Other name of this condition is morgellons disease. Morever the grain like things you see are dead skin or scratched skin due to itching. This is what you get when you itch your scalp or skin. So problem you have is all in mind, there's no physical problem. You need to visit a psychiatrist urgently to under go examination and treatment. Don't hesitate in taking treatment. This condition is completely curable, but don't delay treatment.

However such symptoms are also observed in diabetic neuropathy, mercury poisoning, alcohol withdrawal, nicotine withdrawal, herpetic neuropathy. If you have any of these condition meet a physician before visiting psychiatrist.

I hope this reply will help you. Please write to HCM or me for follow up queries. This time please mention complete details like your work, diseases, medicines, duration of symptoms, any investigations done. It will help a doctor in giving you better and complete advise. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Heera Lal Poonia (20 hours later)
INCORRECT DIAGNOSIS.
Since sending you this information, I have done more research and found more detailed information about different types of mites.
There is a mite called the Hair Follicle Mite. This mite lays its eggs in the hair follicle on the scalp, face, nose and eyelashes.
The feeling of movement on the skin is the mites hatching out through the hair follicle and onto the skin.
Your diagnosis, although it may be correct in some cases, is certainly not in mine.
These mites do not bite but only feed on dead skin etc
Get your information right before you start telling people they should be seeing a psychiatrist.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Heera Lal Poonia (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
do a test on thread like material you have seen for eggs and mites.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX, welcome again. I appreciate your straightforward comment and follow up question. Very thanks for that. The hair follicle mite you have mentioned can be a possibility if you have some chronic disease which is reducing your immunity, if you are on chemotherapy, if you are on immunosuppressant medicines. Because lice or mites infestations are not common in a healthy person who looks after his health and hygiene well. Morever you have tried disinfectants, you should have got relief. Thread like substance which you are seeing can be tested for mites and eggs. If it is positive, single time application of anti mites solution will cure you.

If this finding is negative, please go for other tests to come to a diagnosis. There are several possibilities I have mentioned in earlier reply. However diagnosis given by HCM are based on probability. These are not final diagnosis.

Please write to us for follow up queries.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Heera Lal Poonia

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 506 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Symptoms Of Hair Follicle Mite Infestation

Brief Answer: it can be delusion. Please visit a psychiatrist. Detailed Answer: Dear XXXX, welcome to HCM and thanks for choosing us. I share your concerns as you have been facing such symptoms which trouble a person very much. Symptoms you have mentioned indicate delusional parasitosis, where you don't have real parasites or insects on your body but you feel them. Insects always bite if they are on your body so it confirms that there are no real insects. Other name of this condition is morgellons disease. Morever the grain like things you see are dead skin or scratched skin due to itching. This is what you get when you itch your scalp or skin. So problem you have is all in mind, there's no physical problem. You need to visit a psychiatrist urgently to under go examination and treatment. Don't hesitate in taking treatment. This condition is completely curable, but don't delay treatment. However such symptoms are also observed in diabetic neuropathy, mercury poisoning, alcohol withdrawal, nicotine withdrawal, herpetic neuropathy. If you have any of these condition meet a physician before visiting psychiatrist. I hope this reply will help you. Please write to HCM or me for follow up queries. This time please mention complete details like your work, diseases, medicines, duration of symptoms, any investigations done. It will help a doctor in giving you better and complete advise. Thanks.