...i found the solution...it was demodex and i was completely! cured after 4 weeks of lid scrubs with tea tree oil...just to let you know.. :-)
I've had Blepharitis for years. I've always hated my red eyelids in pictures, now I have something to try, which might also relieve my occasional dry eye symptoms (for which I've been taking 2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily for years). I quickly found confirmation:
CONCLUSION: Demodex potentially causes ocular surface inflammation, meibomian gland dysfunction, and lash abnormalities. Lid scrub with TTO can effectively eradicate ocular Demodex and result in subjective and objective improvements. This preliminary positive result warrants future prospective investigation of Demodex pathogenicity. - nih
Demodex mites cause ocular surface inflammation, MGD and lash abnormalities. - revoptom
What are Demodex? Here they are:
Demodex is a genus of tiny parasitic mites that live in or near hair follicles of mammals. About 65 species of Demodex mites are known; they are among the smallest of arthropods. Two species living on humans have been identified: Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis, both frequently referred to as eyelash mites. Demodex canis lives on the domestic dog. Infestation with Demodex mites is common and usually does not cause any symptoms, although occasionally some skin diseases can be caused by the mites. ...
The adult mites are only between 0.3 mm and 0.4 mm long, with D. brevis slightly shorter than D. folliculorum.[1] They have a semi-transparent elongated body that consists of two fused segments. Eight short segmented legs are attached to the first body segment. The body is covered with scales for anchoring itself in the hair follicle, and the mite has pin-like mouth-parts for eating skin-cells, hormones and oils (sebum) which accumulate in the hair follicles. The mite's digestive system is so efficient and results in so little waste that there is no excretory orifice. The mites can leave the hair follicles and slowly walk around on the skin, at a speed of about 8–16 cm/hour, especially at night; they try to avoid light.[1]
Female Demodex folliculorum are somewhat shorter and rounder than males. The total lifespan of a Demodex mite is several weeks. ...
The six-legged larvae hatch after 3-4 days, and it takes about seven days for the larvae to develop into adults. The dead mites decompose inside the hair follicles or sebaceous glands.Older people are much more likely to carry the mites; estimates range as high as a 96-98% infestation rate in aged people. The lower rate of children may be due to the fact that children produce much less sebum. It is quite easy to look for one's own demodex mites, by carefully removing an eyelash or eyebrow hair and placing it under a microscope.
The mites are transferred between hosts through contact of hair, eyebrows and of the sebaceous glands on the nose. Different species of animals host different species of demodex; and demodex is not contagious between different species.
In the vast majority of cases, the mites go unobserved, without any adverse symptoms, but in certain cases (usually related to a suppressed immune system, caused by stress or illness) mite populations can dramatically increase, resulting in a condition known as demodicosis, characterised by itching, inflammation and other skin disorders. Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids) can also be caused by Demodex mites. - wiki
Yuck. Let's kill em. Awesome! I could have normal non itchy eyes again! I'm very excited about this.
16 comments:
[...] Dry eyes fixable with Tea Tree Oil eyelid scrubs? « Xenophilia … [...]
Very interesting article!
Hello my name is Alan and i was just curious as to how to do a tea tree oil scrub. and how to keep the oil from getting in to the eye it's self? Can anyone shed some light on this for me?
thanks, Alan
I've written to Matt to ask for more details about how he did this. Tea tree oil does sting and you should not get it in your eyes, so I'm not sure, but I'll share the answer here when he writes back. I've been using "Desert Essence - Thoroughly Clean Face Wash with organic Tea Tree Oil and Awapuhi". It includes many different oils. I put it on with my eyes closed in the shower and leave it on for a minute each morning before rinsing. When I open my eyes even a little, it stings. The % of tea tree oil is not listed on the bottle.
I found thus article I am gonna try it, I've been suffering from red eye and swollen lids for a very long time now:
http://xenophilius.wordpress.com/2009/01/03/dry-eyes-one-solution-tea-tree-oil-eyelid-scrubs/
God bless
Sterilid Eyelid Cleanser contains tea tree oil.
I purchased some tea tree oil. How do I do an eyelid scrub with the tea tree oil?
One of the most interesting things on your site is all the comments and we have enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts and comments. Most people who have a site do not get near the traffic that you do; I guess it is because they do not have the personal contact that you have.
Alan,
On one of my figure tips (ususally the middle or index finger)I place a drop of Castor Oil and then one drop of 100% Tree Tea Oil and mix them together with my fingers. I then rup the mixutre into my eyelashes, eyebrows, and checks. I place full strength TTO on my eyebrows and inside my nose also. The mites seem to catch on fast to the TTO being placed on the eyelashes and will migrate to other areas. I have been using this technique for 5 days now (twice a day) and have responsed very well to it. One caustion never place the TTO along on your eyelids because it does burn. Castor Oil, even when it gets in the eyes does not irritate them.
I even takes baths with the TTO. I drop 20 drops of TTO in my water.
Funny side note: When you place the mixture on your eye lids you can actually feel the little creaturs wiggle and even jump unto your nose or attempt to make it to your lashes. Thus, make sure to place the mixture on nose and eyebrows.
Another little trick I learned: The mites like to be in the dark. Thus, I place myself in complete darkness for a while and then with a little off light to to make the mixture I place the Castor Oil and TTO mixture on my eyes. Wow. you really feel them scramble after that!
On one of my figure tips (ususally the middle or index finger)I place a drop of Castor Oil and then one drop of 100% Tree Tea Oil and mix them together with my fingers. I then rup the mixutre into my eyelashes, eyebrows, and checks. I place full strength TTO on my eyebrows and inside my nose also. The mites seem to catch on fast to the TTO being placed on the eyelashes and will migrate to other areas. I have been using this technique for 5 days now (twice a day) and have responsed very well to it. One caustion never place the TTO along on your eyelids because it does burn. Castor Oil, even when it gets in the eyes does not irritate them.
I even takes baths with the TTO. I drop 20 drops of TTO in my water.
Funny side note: When you place the mixture on your eye lids you can actually feel the little creaturs wiggle and even jump unto your nose or attempt to make it to your lashes. Thus, make sure to place the mixture on nose and eyebrows.
Another little trick I learned: The mites like to be in the dark. Thus, I place myself in complete darkness for a while and then with a little off light to to make the mixture I place the Castor Oil and TTO mixture on my eyes. Wow. you really feel them scramble after that!
Xeno,
Regarding Tree Tea Oil
On one of my figure tips (ususally the middle or index finger)I place a drop of Castor Oil and then one drop of 100% Tree Tea Oil and mix them together with my fingers. I then rup the mixutre into my eyelashes, eyebrows, and checks. I place full strength TTO on my eyebrows and inside my nose also. The mites seem to catch on fast to the TTO being placed on the eyelashes and will migrate to other areas. I have been using this technique for 5 days now (twice a day) and have responsed very well to it. One caustion never place the TTO along on your eyelids because it does burn. Castor Oil, even when it gets in the eyes does not irritate them.
I even takes baths with the TTO. I drop 20 drops of TTO in my water.
Funny side note: When you place the mixture on your eye lids you can actually feel the little creaturs wiggle and even jump unto your nose or attempt to make it to your lashes. Thus, make sure to place the mixture on nose and eyebrows.
Another little trick I learned: The mites like to be in the dark. Thus, I place myself in complete darkness for a while and then with a little off light to to make the mixture I place the Castor Oil and TTO mixture on my eyes. Wow. you really feel them scramble after that!
I strongly advice against using pure (100%) tea tree oil on your eye lashes. This will certainly get some of the stuff into your eyes and this really burns like hell....and harm your eyes. You will have to dillute tea tree oil with another basic oil (e.g. castor oil) down to a percentage of (way) less than 50%. Tea Tree oil does not dissolve in water.
I have been struggling with extreme eye discomfort for at least two years now. Very red eyes, burning, feeling of something in the eye and it has been almost intolerable in the last year. I have gone to the doctors and told my eyeballs are fine. I have gone to the eye specialist and told to use artificial tears. I have used visine, two types of artifical tears, hot compresses, omega 3 pills, and home remedies for pink eye. My eyes felt like they were being scratched everytime I looked around or blinked. I stumbled onto demodex as a possible cause for my eye discomfort and onto TTO as a possible remedy.
After one eyescrub with TTO I have to say that the result has been nothing short of miraculous. The feeling of relief has been almost immediate. I have not been able to blink without discomfort for so long that to finally have freedom of burning and pain is overwhelming.
I have done two eye scrubs on the first night and one on the second as I just haven't been able to believe the relief I am feeling.
I purchased almond oil and TTO. I use a q tip and put several drops into the palm of my hand. I then dip the other end of the q tip into the TTO and mix it in my palm. With my eyes closed I use a new q tip and wipe the end of a dipped q tip back and forth over my eye 6 or 7 times. I also do my eyebrows. I leave my eyes closed and after approx 5 minutes I put a clean washcloth under lukewarm water and hold it to my eyes gently removing the TTO/almond oil application. I rinse the cloth and wipe gently several times. Hot water on the cloth intensifies the burning of the TTO mixture so stick to luke warm. When my eyes are eventually opened it does burn considerably as it seems impossible to avoid getting some into the eyes. It does subside however and the relief is worth all of it.
I intend to do this once a week. I have washed all of the bed sheets and discarded all makeup and purchased new.
I cannot believe this. I want to shout this to the world however I fear people will think I am crazy.
So grateful for the relief.
Merry Christmas. :)
Absolutely worth a try!
I would also like to add that I gently wipe the face cloth over my forehead, nose, and cheek area as I am sure that the small amount of TTO is helpful to the facial area if demodex is a problem for me in the first place.
Awesome Kim! Thanks for sharing this. I got into the habit of taking flax oil daily for years, which is good overall and also kept my eyes feeling better, but the tea tree oil shampoo I found may have really done the trick. I haven't been really bothered by dry eyes in a long time. I'm glad I avoided the eye drops. The eye doctor I talked to years ago was certain I would get worse and worse and would eventually have a torn cornea and I'd go blind. That eye surgeon who diagnosed me said "no one has ever been cured of dry eye syndrome". I told her I'd be the first, then. There are different causes, but some people find real lasting relief without drugs. Just get rid of the demodex, right? I may go back for another test to see if I've actually improved my tearing. This type of sharing is why the Internet must remain open!
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