Ear mites in humans - description, symptoms, treatment

Ear mite infestation. Types of ear mites and causes of infection. What danger do they pose to human health? Manifestation of symptoms during infection. Effective comprehensive treatment. The use of medications and the use of folk remedies.

Parasites such as ticks are quite dangerous for people and animals. In addition to the fact that they cause a huge amount of inconvenience, parasites are known as carriers of dangerous diseases. There are a large number of species of ticks, many of which are dangerous to humans.

These types include ear mites, which are rare in humans, but lead to serious diseases such as acariasis and otoacariasis. It is worth saying that this species includes 3 subspecies, each of which has its own characteristics.

What you need to know

The first thing you should understand is the types of ear parasites, as already mentioned, there are three of them. The first is Demodex, this parasite can live in the human sebaceous glands, as well as hair and ears. The second is arags, an inhabitant of abandoned buildings, attics, caves, where a person can become infected with it. The third is ixodid, this parasite can be infected in Africa and Asia, but it is not found here. You can see what they look like in the photo.

Danger and consequences

No disease goes away without consequences for the body. Start acting as early as possible - this way there is less risk that the health of your beloved pet will be harmed. Ear mites in cats and dogs are dangerous if only because of their nervousness - the unbearable itching will make even the calmest cat irritable and aggressive.

In addition, pus may appear in the ear and spread further, as well as inflammation of the meninges. In cats, it occurs due to a rupture of the eardrum due to disease. Partial or complete hearing loss is often observed.

Hearing loss is just one of the consequences of advanced otodecosis. Contact a specialist!

Infection in humans

In our country, infection with ear mites is rare. A fairly large percentage of patients who present with this problem have visited exotic countries where the infection occurred. But unfortunately, there is also that percentage of patients whose infection occurred in our country.

The first reason why infection can occur is fruits and vegetables. No matter how strange it may sound, we can acquire ixodid parasites along with useful products. To prevent contamination, be sure to wash food.

If we talk about Demodex mites, then it is worth clarifying one point. Almost every one of us is a carrier of these microscopic mites. Recently, studies were conducted that showed that 95% of people already have these parasites. They do not pose a danger to humans unless favorable conditions for reproduction are created, which leads to complex consequences. And favorable conditions in this case are stressful situations, psychosomatic diseases, decreased immunity, etc.

Regarding aragsaceae, they become infected quite easily. These inhabitants of attics and farms, falling on a person, the female individual makes its way into the auricle, where it lays eggs.

Description of species

Aragsovy. It can be classified as a fairly large species, since an adult can reach a size of 30 mm. They choose residential and outbuildings as their homes and settle in hard-to-reach places. The shape of the body is oval. Their diet consists entirely of blood. An adult can survive without a food source for 14 years, but the larva can survive for only 2 years.

Ixodes. Quite small parasites, measuring 2-5 mm. They have a chitinous coating, the color of the body changes as it is saturated; in a hungry state it is brown or black, and when it is saturated with blood it becomes light yellow. In addition, when fed, it increases significantly in size, which can reach 3 centimeters. Their habitat is natural conditions, meadows, forests.

Demodex. This is a microscopic parasite, the size of which is 0.15-0.3 mm. It is simply impossible to see them without a magnifying device. As mentioned earlier, it is an inhabitant of almost every person.

It is also worth familiarizing yourself with some of the features of each type:

Ixodidae. This species can attack animals, birds and people. The danger is that he can infect his victim with borreliosis and encephalitis, which are complex diseases. They do not parasitize on humans, they attack him only because of hunger, and when satisfied, they leave the body.
Demodex. They can stay on a person for a long time and not show themselves at all, only when immunity and protective functions decrease, they begin to actively multiply, which leads to complications.
Aragsaceae. Most often they come onto the human body with dust particles; they are the hardiest species.

Ixodid tick

The body shape of arachnids of this species is oblong with a slight narrowing in the head area. Compared to other individuals of this subclass, the size of these insects is quite large, so they can be seen with the naked eye.

Ixodid ticks are the cause of otoacariasis. Their presence in the ear canal is indicated by itching, pain, and the sensation of the presence of a foreign body. Once parasites enter the body of a person or animal, they are able to multiply.

Infection with ixodid ticks in our country is a very rare phenomenon. Usually tourists bring them with them after a holiday in Thailand, India or Chile. Fighting parasites of this species is not particularly difficult. Usually the affected areas are treated with hydrogen peroxide or saline solution. However, treatment must be carried out under medical supervision.

Causes of infection, danger to humans

There can actually be a lot of reasons for infection and, unfortunately, it is not always possible to protect yourself; the most common ones include:

Unwashed fruits and vegetables;
Drinking water from sources;
Visiting caves;
Staying in unsanitary conditions;
Dirty ponds;
Failure to comply with hygiene rules when traveling to exotic countries;
Weakened immunity.

These parasites can bring big problems to humans, including:

The appearance of demodicosis;
Infection with infectious diseases;
Infection with microbes that cause serious consequences;
Infection with fungal spores.

It is very important to immediately consult a doctor if any symptoms occur and begin treatment. Without proper treatment, the disease progresses to severe stages of development, which leads to irreversible consequences.

Why are ear mites dangerous?

Demodicosis mites produce toxic waste products. As a result, acne, rosacea and other dermatological diseases occur. Infection can lead to eye damage - blepharoconjunctivitis, loss of vision and hearing. In addition to their parasitic lifestyle, ticks are carriers of many bacterial infections:

endemic typhus;
borreliosis;
hemorrhagic fever;
piroplasmosis;
tick-borne typhus;
ehrlichiosis;
encephalitis.

Ear mites are dangerous to humans because they can lead to a number of complications. Infection with a bacterial infection is fraught with external otitis. If left untreated, chronic inflammation of the ear tissues is possible. In some cases, a hematoma forms. Blood clots are removed using a syringe, and absorbable compresses are applied to the affected area.

Symptoms

The problem of detecting this parasite is complicated by the fact that, for example, Demodex mites cannot be detected; you can only respond to symptoms, which are often not attributed to parasite infection. But it is difficult to identify ixodids, for the reason that they inflict absolutely painless bites.

Symptoms directly depend on which mite has settled in the ear; in addition, they can manifest themselves differently in each person:

Ixodes. Irritated, red areas on the skin, swelling, and severe itching appear.
Demodex. Symptoms appear on the face, redness, irritation, acne, ulcers. The more demodicosis develops, the more severe the symptoms. Quite often, the condition becomes more complicated due to germs and bacteria entering the wounds, which leads to complications. A person suffers from severe itching, the auricle itches unbearably, and hearing may be impaired.
Aragsovy. All symptoms are associated with changes in the skin and severe itching.

How contagious

Otodectosis is a contagious disease, as already mentioned. In most cases, even 5 minutes of interaction with an infected animal is enough for your pet to become infected from someone. But a person need not be afraid of ear mites - our body temperature is not suitable for the parasite to reproduce.

The only danger is pseudoscabies (rash) caused by bites from frequent contact. Drops will not help here, so you should simply use gloves when treating infected areas of your cat. We must not forget that a person can suffer otodectosis (through clothes, shoes).

Correct treatment

It is worth clarifying one important point: only a doctor can diagnose the disease after examining the patient and conducting research. Only after this can individual treatment be prescribed.

To get rid of these parasites, complex treatment is carried out, most often it consists of:

Rinsing the ear canal using saline solution or hydrogen peroxide, this allows you to get rid of parasites in the ears.
Antiparasitic drugs.
Antihistamines.
Balanced diet.

During the treatment period, it is necessary to avoid fatty and fried foods, reduce the intake of salt and spices to a minimum, avoid processed and smoked foods, and eliminate alcohol. Also during this period you cannot visit the sauna, bathhouse, undergo cosmetic procedures or use decorative cosmetics. Quite often, patients are prescribed physiotherapy.

Medicines

Drug treatment directly depends on what kind of tick a person is infected with. For example, to combat arags, an alcohol solution and sodium chloride are used, which makes it possible to expel it out of the auricle. Oil is also used, which works in a similar way.

In the treatment of demodicosis, drugs containing sulfur and hyaluronic acid are used. These drugs include Blefarogel. This allows not only to destroy parasites, but also to restore skin cells, which in this case are very damaged.

The main treatment includes the use of ointments that have a complex effect. First of all, they prevent the development and reproduction of parasites, which is a prerequisite for effective treatment. They also promote healing, relieve inflammation, prevent concomitant infections, and relieve itching. Such drugs include Benzyl benzoate, Yam Ointment, Rozamet, sulfuric, zinc and ointment, Metrogyl. The medicine helps to cope with mites and relieves inflammation.

Treatment also includes the use of vitamins, antihistamines and, in some cases, antibiotics.

Traditional methods

Remember that traditional methods may not be effective for severe infestations. In addition, before using them, be sure to consult a doctor so as not to cause complications, when the situation may worsen significantly. Although folk remedies are considered safe, you should always remember that they are not used on healthy skin, so no one knows how it and the body as a whole will react, remember this and use it with caution.

The most popular methods include:

Lemon and salt. In this case, acid and salt are used, which, when applied to wounds and scratching, cause even greater irritation and pain, which can only worsen the situation. Therefore, it is prohibited to apply to such areas. You need to prepare a mixture from these components; to do this, squeeze out lemon juice and add salt to it, you need to take equal parts. Next, the mixture is applied to cotton wool and applied to the affected area for 10 minutes, after which the skin is washed with water.

Garlic. From this useful product you need to prepare a paste, for example, pass it through a press or garlic press. Next, as in the previous version, we make a compress for 10 minutes, then simply remove the remaining product with cotton wool.

Calendula. This plant has an anti-inflammatory effect. Used as a tincture. Most often used as drops in the ear, 1 drop daily.

Sagebrush. Wormwood has been used in the fight against various parasites for many years, and all for the reason that it is a truly effective folk remedy. We will need to prepare a decoction, for this we need to take a saucepan and pour 2 tbsp into it. herbs and pour 1 liter. boiling water Next, put on the fire, bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and leave for 3 hours, after which we take gauze, folded in several layers and filter the broth.

Tar soap. Perhaps one of the most famous remedies that everyone knows about. It has indeed found wide application in the fight against pests and parasites, where it successfully shows good results. In this option, a soap solution is used; to do this, grate a little soap and drop water to obtain a solution. After that, a piece of cotton wool is soaked in the solution and placed in the ear for 15 minutes.

Medicines to combat ear mites

The most popular anti-ear mite medications for humans are Trichopolum and Ornidozol-Vero tablets. They are used in combination with ointments and vitamin complexes.

Trichopolum. The active ingredient is metronidazole. The drug has a broad spectrum of action and fights various bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The cost of a package of 20 tablets is from 80 rubles. Can be used even if a tick has entered the ear of a child over 3 years old.
Ornidozole. Available according to prescription. The average cost is 60 rubles. The drug is active against many viruses, bacteria, as well as various types of parasites. Allowed for children in accordance with the dosage.

Ointments, creams, gels, emulsions, and mash will help relieve inflammation and speed up the healing of ear mite wounds.

Medicines to combat ear mites

High efficiency was noted in:

Ordermil.
Vishnevsky ointment.
Aversictin ointment.
Zinc ointment.

Important!
There is no general algorithm for using ointments for ear mites, so before use, be sure to read the instructions for use and get advice from a specialist.

It is recommended to use any usual remedy as antihistamines:

Suprastin.
Fenistil.
Zyrtec.
Zodak.
Citirizine.
Loratodine.

Take in accordance with the instructions for use, depending on the age of the patient.

Review
Ear mites became my personal tragedy. For a long time I didn’t even know about its existence. From time to time my ear itched, it felt like someone was crawling. But I couldn’t even imagine that a parasite could crawl so high. I trusted the treatment only to a specialist. He prescribed a whole range of medications. Trichopolum tablets for the parasite, as well as a laser and told me to take a multivitamin complex. It was possible to get rid of the disease only after 3 weeks.
Marina, Omsk

Review
I didn’t even know that the parasite could even get into the ear. We discovered it while relaxing at the dacha, almost immediately after the bite. It was very itchy in this place. The treatment was prescribed by a doctor in the emergency department. The usual Vishnevsky ointment helped. She did a great job of drawing out all the nasty stuff after the bite. And the doctor removed the ear mite itself with some small vacuum-type deposit. Fast and painless.
Read also: Business plan for raising chickens and organizing a poultry farm
Marianna, Orel

Preventive measures

Otodectosis can be prevented even without using drops - it is enough to follow preventive measures. Since the disease is quite contagious, it is better to prevent your pet from coming into contact with other animals. During a walk, you should keep the cat on a leash or choose a clearing without tailed cats, and also prevent self-walking. Sometimes even a couple of minutes is enough for ear parasites to settle on delicate skin.

What else the owner can do is to more closely monitor the immunity of domestic cats. Review your diet and try adding more nutrients to it. You can also give a separate complex of vitamins and minerals for animals. Remember to regularly inspect and clean your ears.

Prevention of ear mites includes treating all four-legged animals in the house if the parasite is detected in only one pet. For example, you have 3 cats and a dog, which means everyone needs to take drops, otherwise you will endlessly remove the parasite from each one in turn.

Regular washing of the bed and washing the carrier can also reduce the likelihood of infection. Also, try not to allow your indoor cat to have access to your outdoor shoes or clothing - ticks can come into the house with your belongings.

To protect against ticks and other parasites, it is permissible to use drops - applied to the withers. They are safe for the tailed one (he will not lick them), but very effective. The drops will be especially useful for cats that often go outside and come into contact with other animals.

If you notice dark spots in your cat's ears, quickly remove them with a cotton swab dipped in water or peroxide. If there are wounds, scratches, or an unpleasant odor, we recommend taking your pet to a veterinarian. These symptoms indicate the presence of otodectosis or ear mites.