I wound up with an all-out infestation because it took me 7 years, 5 useless dermatologists, and 2 ill-equipped primary care physicians to figure it out. I got rid of the MFers with 3 things: (1) Ivermectin, (2) Permethrin SFR, and (3) sulfur paste (all of which I found at the local feed store for animals). After a ton of research I believe these are hard keratin plugs. This looks like follicular plugs and demodex tails associated with type 2 rosacea. It's called proacea. Now back to the pee; from what I understand human urine has about 5% uriac acid, more or less. I say that to say this: DONT BOTHER MESSING WITH THEM. 1, 3 Identification of these mites dates . Some people of had this problem for a year or two, some people of had it for 25 years. One only consumes the epithelial cells in the follicle, while the other consumes glandular cells in the adjacent sebaceous gland. It may surprise you that sebaceous filaments are actually a normal function of skin. The Manuka Oil makes them perfect for picking!! Within 6-8 hours of your first dose of Ivermectin, you'll see the mites pushing out of your pores IN DROVES. I am a fairly intelligent and educated, I'm not a drinker or a drug user. For me, it was a tapeworm that I got from a catand it has been a living hell(although I will say that it was worth it because I turned to Jesus Christ for help and drew closer to HimI wouldn't change that for anything in the worldnot even scar free skin) I hope this helps somebody. Symptoms of D. folliculorum mites may include dryness, itching, acne-like blemishes, and redness. I found a liquid form on amazon for 20 bucks and use it three times a day. This thursday, but I do wish I could find a magic natural remedy to cure what ever this is that has plagued me. Im 27 and this literally happened out of nowhere to me. I initially recommended using tea tree oil but I found it is very harsh for your skin. (DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK. By staying hydrated helps the body push the plugs out and using a drying agent helps to shrink them down and keeping the scab low and somewhat moist allows it bit by bit to push the plugs out. 100% Tea Tree Oil which can be bought on Amazon for $7.00 3. Rinse , tone with raw organic apple cider vinegar. I have had to use more extreme remedies (because the candida infection, which followed malassezia infection - from antibiotics when I had my appendix out - was so entrenched). My face is getting better every day and the best part .even though it still hurts is that the tea tree and the peeling skin helps get rid of the scarring from previous breakouts! - Thank you. Permethren is not really toxic to humans, and its odorless once it dries (PLEASE READ THE PACKAGING THOROUGLY). "Patients almost universally describe this explosive development of pustules like whiteheads on their face. FINALLY found a doctor to listen to me. My dermatologist has told me this is demodex infestation. I suffered from these keratin plugs for years and found out only recently how to solve it with urea, I wrote a post about it. A PAS or silver methenamine stain will reveal spherical to oval yeast-like organisms, 24 m in diameter. I would describe it as massive swollen lumps deep in my face, yellow ooz and eventually yellowish stringy skin, hardened skin, the small round white plugs that sometimes I could get outsometimes I couldn't. My lymph nodes were swollen around my neck and jaw for a couple days. Dont bother pulling them out. I'm male thirty one and in my sixth month of dealing with this issue. If you need someone to talk to or someone just to listen, I will. Demodicidosis of the scalp can cause dryness, follicular scaling, superficial vesicles, and pustules. I suffered with this for years. EdenMT 9 months ago I have this with acne that started with a birth control definitely being part of it but not all. I put up with quite a bit of discomfort and pain just to get the satisfaction of pulling out these stretchy white plugs. Within 6-8 hours of your first dose of Ivermectin, you'll see the mites pushing out of your pores IN DROVES. (Several doctors said the same thingThey had never seen anything like it beforemade me feel so goodthat was after I had been going to doctors and dermatologists for two years begging for their help, all the while it was spreading and getting worse.) It's a slow but effective way to treat this. Its a little tricky to apply, so I suggest wearing gloves. You may experience any of the following: If the condition affects your eyes, you may experience: Demodex mites can spread from human to human. I truly am going crazy. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. I would recommend using 100% directly on the breakout (after removing the scab) so that it gets them good. When you take antibiotics without counteracting with probiotics, they kill off all the good bacteria along with the bad bacteria. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Anyone else think this could be Demodex? The adult mites are NOTHING NICE. I was astonished. But you may be able to help prevent infestation by keeping your skin clean. I will get to the bottom of this, I will not let this win, I will get better. The first segment has eight legs and a mouth. Over the years I have "treated" myself by carefully extracting the plugs and applying polysporin or mupirocin until the plugs stopped coming up and the wound finally started to heal. They eat. That being said, the plugs that are now coming to the surface are the Mother ships of each sore. I also have these white stretchy plugs. However, if it is demodex sulfure will prob only help with any puss from squeezing and irritation--It won't kill them gone! Our expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Cleveland Clinic. Take control of your life and find freedom from skin picking through professional therapy and evidence-based behavioral techniques. In humans, demodex is found on facial skin, especially the forehead, cheeks, sides of the nose, eyelashes and external ear canals. In my late 40s, while showering, I was itchy and found the heads of a couple small bumps on my back just below my right shoulder blade. When the pregnant female comes out, it looks kind of like a regular pimple. Help! I have both that and regular acne, but it mainly manifests as bumps on my forehead that are pretty easily treated with selenium sulfide shampoo. I've been paying closer attention to them now. After about 4 to 6 months of attempting to extract all of the congestion, I seen improvement. Even if they still had plugs in them. From what I gathered it seemed to be a rosaceatype of flare. I wish you all luck!!! Ive been going on the theory that this is related to fungal acne. This infested deer exhibited hair loss and thickening of the skin on the head, neck, and shoulders. Take control of your life and find freedom from skin picking through professional therapy and evidence-based behavioral techniques. I eventually stopped taking antibiotics when they prescribed them because I knew it was not an infection. Watching my face blemish, weep, scar and pit up over the years has had a slow, deep, devastating effect on me. They dry up about 45 minutes after being pulled out of my skin. But will be shortly. Could I have had a low grade stash infection for this long? acquired perforating collagenous. I think I saw this being discussed in another topic, have a look for one called "whats underneath your scab" and I think the other was something like "does anyone know what im talking about because I have no idea" x. Demodicosis can also be triggered by local suppression of the immune system, like when itch-relieving hydrocortisone cream is used on the face. Then re-apply, on top of the first application, and wear for another 3 days. Hi thanks, question? My face had red areas everywhere the little buggers were lying in wait. I suspect a mild form of linear scleroderma; there is what looks like a long white scar creeping up my shoulder blade ahead of the bumps, and I think the bumps might be collagen deposits. They look like lil white black heads but aren't and they itch and you feel the need to scratch and pick. One dermatologist accused me of making the sores myself and suggested I take an anti-depressant. Dilute it in a spray bottle and spray EVERYTHING in your house, including mattresses, couches, carpets, etc. The question is can EVERYONE of you swear on your MOTHER'S life you're not on dope? Scalp sores, and athletics foot (sever) most of my nails have fallen off. This removes the extra oil and dead skin cells the mites eat. This thing ravaged my face my head the back of my neck my chest my shoulders. I've had this problem for aprox 15 years. At least it's something I can offer for you. I took ivermectin orally and I didn't notice any side effects.You might even try some albendazole too. This grosses meOut And theyre on my own body. I recently lost health insurance and cannot afford to go back to the dermatologist and honestly I've been so jaded with healthcare professionals that I cringe at the idea of having to talk with them about this again! I thought i had a cyst on my chin but once it started draining it turned way worse. She prescribed a round of antibiotics and I was on my way. The "pimple" won't heal until I pull out the plugwhich can be a challenge. Nice to know I am not the only one with this problem I have thick scabs and attached to the scab are thease white plugs one got so big I had to have a plasic surgeon cut it out biopsy came back a basal cell cronoma but even after the surgery it come back I've tried everything I have the sores all over my legs am no dr takes me seriously I have major medical problems tho so this skin issue sucks but it could be worse I've researched and researched and can't find anything but read lots of stories of people with the same problem it is nice to know I'm not alone. FINALLY found a doctor to listen to me. The objective is to keep the adult mites from mating and laying new eggs. When it does happen, demodicosis usually comes on fast. You cannot kill the adult Demodex with creams because they move down into your pores beyond the reach of topical miticides. Recently I found information on Pityrosporum (Malassezia) folliculitis, describing something similar: I had to mix the paste with baby oil to get it to spread. Symptoms. I've been to a couple of dermatologist with no help. These bumps are harmless, don't require treatment and usually go away on their own. So I've been dealing with this for over 20 years. Ok I've tried this and I'm posting a copy of what I posted to another site since I couldn't copy and paste what I typed. I'm 76 living on the Oregon coast and had severe acne as a teenager with residual scarring. It is very very likely that you will get worse before you get better. These clogged pores are more common in children and teenagers. These plugs are white and of a semi hard consistency. Wouldn't you know I found those little plugs. Outcome: EXCELLENT! Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis (collectively referred to as Demodex) are the most common permanent ectoparasites in man, occurring in 10 percent of skin biopsies and 12 percent of follicles. I developed one on my rt, cheek, 3 on my chin, one on my frontal jaw line, 2 on my forehead and 2on my nose. Still producing a lot of discharge. Wash ALL CLOTHING and LINENS in hot water. I bought vetrimec paste which is good for oral use and also topically because it's kind of like a cream. I also take herbal supplements that are supposed to be good for general health as wellapple cider vinegar, garlic, msm, vitamins-probioticsAlso, the earth clinic website has tons of information and alternative remedies. I have attached picturesof them on my hand after I get them out, sorry for the super close ups! Keratin plugs are white or skin-colored bumps that develop on the skin. The American Acne Association does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Looks like you have an overgrowth. Woke up with it a little crusty again but the area doesn't feel warm anymore. I am looking for posts of people with these symptoms and posting my answer in hopes it can help some of you. If you lift up the plasticky scab, you can see the adult mites attached to the underside of it. It was one of those things that many here have described. To describe the dermoscopic features of papulopustular rosacea and to investigate the differential dermoscopic features between patients with and without concomitant Demodex infestation. These cannot be squeezed out like a regular blackhead or whitehead they seem to be stuck in there and the only way to get them out is with a pair of tweezers or to really dig them out with an implement. Just be sure to not reuse anything! At 76 I don't feel self-conscious often but it's nice to have a goto coverup. The fungus plays havoc with the follicles and process of keratin production in skin. They are itchy and I am dying to pull them out! I desperately suffer from the same condition. Hi: When I can the wound heals; If it heals over an unremoved core the core pops up again down the road. How do you know if you have demodex mites? If you have a white tongue (and skin problems and possibly gut problems, headaches etc. I'm not saying that everyone who is dealing with white plugs in their skin that multiply has a tapeworm larva skin infectionsome people might just have keratosis pilaris, some might have demodex that can be cleared up with ivermectin, it might be a yeast for some peoplebut for me, it was none of those thingsand it wasn't discoid lupus eithersomething else that the dermatologist insisted that it was (even though the biopsy was negative for it). I knew I wasn't. has anyone else noticed this? Two dermatologists again prescribed anti-itch topicals, recommended I leave them alone. other than this issue, yet they still treat me as if i am a crazy wacko. I also explained how they don't heal unless I get all those things out. You need the good bacteria to keep your body's yeast/fungus levels in check. If serial sections are examined, disruption of the follicular epithelium is sometimes found, with basophilic granular debris, keratinous material, neutrophils, and other inflammatory cells in the perifollicular dermis . If you suspect you have an infestation of Demodex mites thats causing symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider or a dermatologist. One question, is it a possibility that this could be caused by pets in the household? The term comes from the Latin word exfoliare, meaning "to strip leaves." You can exfoliate once or twice a week with a commercial scalp exfoliant, or you can make your own by combining: 2 tablespoons of dry oatmeal 1 tablespoon of brown sugar When I try to pop them they grow bigger and scab. Because it only kills the mid-stage mites (not eggs or adults), youll need to take Ivermectin once a week, for 4-6 weeks. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1939789, http://plasticsurgerykey.com/mycoses-and-algal-infections-2/#st0070. What I see are actually follicular plugs that are caused from Demodex bacterial build up in the hair follicles and pores. The tweezers just seems to take the head of them off more often than not hence the digging which I absolutely hate but it seems to be the only way to get them out and once they are out the sore will heal. Rub equal parts tea tree oil and macadamia nut oil on your eyelashes every night for about six weeks, making sure not to get any oil in your eyes. They aren't usually as big as a rice grain, but can get that big. Not rounded. how long does it take to get in control. Goodluck. Ivermectin and/or sulfur should help. Intrafollicular deposits of mucin are sometimes present. These were usually not painful but would become extremely festered to what appeared to be a white head. Do you think that might be fungal? Doctors basically thought i was Crazy. Then take the ivermectin tube and squirt the paste on top of the yogurt coating (kind of towards the tip of the spoon) Then take the second spoon and get a spoonful of yogurt and glob it on top of the ivermectin and cover the ivermectin completely with the yogurt. A few days ago I googled staph infections and saw pics with the exact same plugs. Considering that I've had this for almost 4 years, and that it hasn't been a full 4 months since taking the medicineI'm pretty happy with the results so far. That lasted only one day and never opened. In reply to Hi, I appreciate your info. Just saying. Healthy Focus is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to healthyfocus.org. There is a place here in florida with infectious specialists and Im calling on monday morning to get an appointment. The main thing is that it spread, under my skinI don't know why doctors were telling me that I was doing it to myself, they could feel the deep hard cysts/nodules under my skinhow was I creating those myselfand why would I do that. I am currently taking acutane to "cure" these. Went through this for the last three years but I finally figured it out. However, they don't go away til every last plug (or demodex) is gone. If you have candida - white tongue, tiredness, headaches, feeling of disorientation, and usually skin problems, you should also take oral nystatin - sold as oral nilstat in Australia (no prescription required in Australia, but you have to as the pharmacist for it). I find mixing an anti-fungal azole cream (clotrimazole, micanazole,etc) with a cream containing lidocaine boosts the anti-fungal effect. I have loads of photos of them, and they are bursting with sebum, but soon dry up when they have been pulled out. It didn't taste as awful but I don't know if it would be good to use topically. You will not get them out without putting a deep hole in your skin. Nu Stock (a vet quality product with a sulfer base) which can be bought on Amazon for $12.00 2. If you want to know more about your condition, we suggest you read the following article written by a mental health professional on Picking Scabs, In reply to Hi, this makes me want to by Katpippy. Same as described above: attached, in clusters, fair amount of blood once extracted, but only briefly. My chin is already looking way better. Thank You from the bottom if my heart. I SIMPLY USED THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF PASTE FOR MY WEIGHT. Youre supposed to wear it, kind of like calamine lotion, for 3 days straight. Ivermectin works best on an empty stomach and it never gave me any problems. As I mentioned in earlier posts, I believe these plugs are glands that supply the skin with oil. I even had an elevated IGg because my system was so irritated by them. These organisms are sometimes budding. We all have them. A few foreign-body giant cells may also be present when rupture of the follicle has occurred. Note that I am not a medical doctor and I can only provide advice based on my personal experience and my very extensive reading of the relevant literature. Also I heard that sulfure treatments help too! That causes an itchy, irritating condition called demodicosis. The dermatologist just want to sell you their expensive crap and Have been so cocky and lazy to figure it out. You cannot kill adult Demodex with ingested miticides because they have a hard outer shell that protects them from absorbing the chemicals. Had a biopsy donethey said there was nothing there and that I must be doing this to myself. I went to the pharmacy to see if there was any other product I could buy since it seemed that the blue stuff wasn't. I am happy to share any knowlege I gain from this if it helps someone who is suffering. But Demodex can multiply too quickly in people who are immunocompromised or have other skin conditions. Make sure the product lists niacinamide its gets rid of excess sebum and keratin plugs. 14 days later all up my arm these huge lumps appeared (along the lymph tract) and these huge lumpy nodules turned into open skin ulcers. Many of the photos I have are identical to morgellon pics so I am going to ask if it is possibly the same condition. I will follow up if this works. Hi, this makes me want to look for some lol! They are also a different shape than they were. The best topical treatment for candida is nystatin cream (sold as mycostatin, OTC in Australia). sometimes one larger one and sometimes MANY small ones. That lasted only one day and never opened. Aprox. Hormone replacement therapy caused me to start breaking out and the white plugs and sores that last for months appeared. Dont bother pulling them out. Check out morgellons Sporotrichosis and sski or super saturated potassium iodide. Researched reputable pharmacies and ordered the medicine myself. Put them in the dryer on high heat. I even lightly sprayed the Permethrin solution on the dried laundry, and the replaced bed sheets. That plug is the adult stage of the mite. I've seen them on my fingertips when putting the oil on my face. One other note, since I am a pet owner, I have also considered the possibility of an overpopulation of demodex.which feed on yeast(a fungus) then the demodex spread the funguskind of a viscous cycleI don't know if that is part of my problem, but it seems likely. Sucralose side effects: All You Need To Know. Seek immediate help instead with these resources. Zinc Oxide which I will buy locally. Its a little tricky to apply, so I suggest wearing gloves. Oddly enough the product that worked the best was from the Dollar Tree in the form of Athletes Foot cream (1% clotrimazole) because it also has aloe which helped remove the "biofilm" that made the yeast hard to treat. Fast Forward 10 years to current: Not able to resist the temptation to squeeze, I would attempt to pop these things.