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A quiet epidemic is creeping across skin, homes, and entire healthcare systems — and almost no one is talking about it. More accurately, they’re talking around it: blaming eczema, mislabeling rashes, overprescribing steroids and anti-fungals, and dismissing persistent symptoms as psychosomatic. But what if what’s really behind these stubborn skin conditions isn’t eczema, fungal infections, or 'just dry skin'?
What if it’s mites…specifically Demodex and scabies.
Demodex spp., follicle mites, are two different microorganisms that live in the hair follicles (D. folliculorum) and in the glands of the follicles on oily areas of the body (D. brevis). They are a normal aspect of a healthy skin barrier, but an overgrowth can produce signs and symptoms that mimic acne, eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, allergic reactions and heat rash.
Sarcoptes scabiei, the human itch mite, burrows deep into the skin making tiny red dots or tunnels that appear on the surface as thin, sometimes silvery, lines or red scratches. Scabies mites and eggs are microscopic and almost impossible to see with the naked eye, but scabies mites leave tell tale trails and an intense itch, more so at night and early on in exposure. An infestation can cause immune responses and allergic reactions that not only mimic common skin conditions but also many autoimmune, mental health and neurological disorders.
More and more people are developing skin conditions that do not resolve with standard care. When creams, steroids, antifungals, and antihistamines fail — something else is likely at play.
Scabies and Demodex mites are ectoparasites (parasites living outside the body) and are often confused with eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, fungal infections, or even insect bites.
Misdiagnosis, misuse of medications and a lack of education in identifying, treating and preventing mites have left mite infestations unchecked, untreated and wildly misunderstood.
By the time scabies is considered or Demodex is discovered, the infestation may have already spread within a household, school or facility. In other cases, it’s never diagnosed — leading people to suffer for months or years while cycling through ineffective treatments. When mites are finally diagnosed — whether scabies, Demodex, or environmental species — a person may have already endured months (or years) of suffering, isolation, and inappropriate treatments. Recovery takes longer. Resistance to treatment is more likely. And trust in the medical system is severely eroded.
In recent years, news headlines have reported mysterious skin outbreaks in schools, nursing homes, and public institutions. Many are labeled “scabies-like,” “treatment resistant,” or “unspecified dermatitis.” These headlines barely scratch the surface of what is increasingly becoming a global issue.
Example headlines:
• “Scabies cases on the rise in UK and Europe, experts warn of treatment shortages.” — The Guardian
• “Mysterious rash outbreak in U.S. elementary school leads to mass treatment, but tests come back negative.” — NBC News
Mite infestations often mimic chronic inflammatory skin conditions.
Classic scabies or Demodex cases may appear as:
• Rosacea & Eczema: Red, itchy, flaky patches
• Psoriasis: Thickened plaques or silvery scales
• Seborrheic dermatitis: Greasy, yellow crusts on scalp or face
• Folliculitis: Pustules or inflamed hair follicles
• Contact dermatitis: Rash triggered by 'mystery allergens'
So-called 'invisible scabies' cases — where there are no obvious burrows or rashes — may present primarily with sensations of crawling, stinging, or biting. These are frequently dismissed as psychosomatic or labeled delusional parasitosis.
However, growing research suggests that neuroinflammatory responses triggered by these microscopic mites, their waste products, or biofilm interactions could explain these symptoms as well as other signs and symptoms related to the most common health conditions.
It’s not in your head. It IS under your skin.
And it could be doing more long term harm than you know.
Endoparasites live inside the body: in the gut, blood, liver, or even brain. These include worms, protozoa, and certain fungi.
Ectoparasites, like scabies and Demodex, live on or just beneath the skin.
While they seem separate, they’re often deeply interconnected.
You can treat the skin repeatedly, but if the internal terrain remains imbalanced, ectoparasites return.
It also works the other way.
External parasites, when left untreated, can introduce bacteria, biofilm, and inflammation that burden the internal immune system. They can trigger histamine cascades, nervous system stress, and even autoimmune flares.
In order to kill mites we need to target their preferred environment; clean the terrain, clear the waste and breakup the biofilm.
Biofilm is one of the most underestimated obstacles in mite and parasite recovery. It’s not a bug. It’s not a germ. It’s a sticky, protective matrix that shields microbes—including mites—from your immune system, treatments, and sometimes even lab detection. Biofilms are better known as age spots or liver spots.
Biofilm is made of polysaccharides, proteins, and DNA fragments. Think of it like a microscopic bunker: bacteria, fungi, parasites, and mites can live inside it, reproduce, and remain hidden for extended periods.
Breaking down biofilm is a critical phase in any successful skin repairing protocol.
Few things are more frustrating than doing everything “right”—and still watching your symptoms return. In the world of mite and parasite treatment, resistance is a rising and underreported epidemic.
Resistance occurs when mites (or other parasites) survive exposure to a treatment and pass that survival advantage on to their offspring. Over time, the population adapts. Treatments that once worked now do little—or make things worse. Rising cases worldwide, overuse of accessible medications and underuse of appropriate medications have created a resistance similar to that of antibiotics.
However, not all treatment failures are resistance.
It could also be:
- **Biofilm** protecting mites from absorption
- **Immune response** mimicking an active infestation after the mites are gone
- **Reinfection** from untreated household members or items
Understanding the distinction is key. Resistance means you’ll need to rotate, combine, or escalate treatment. Reinfection means you need to expand your treatment to your environment and household. Biofilm means you may need to open up that layer first.
Relief from mites is possible with a little knowledge of how mites thrive and a multilayered approach to eradicating them.
