Inflammation of the facial nerve is an unpleasant ailment that does not go away painlessly. The main complaints of patients are sharp attacks of pain in the face, in the upper and lower jaws.
This inflammation is considered one of the most common among facial pains. Most often, the disease proceeds without a trace, but if treatment is neglected, paralysis may occur.
The disease most often occurs in women over 50 years of age; men are treated with this disease much less frequently. People with a genetic predisposition, such as a narrow bone canal, are also at risk. Due to this anatomical feature, there is an increased risk of pinching due to impaired blood supply and various inflammations.
About the Demodex mite
There are two species of these mites found on humans: Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis.
Demodex mites can also live on various types of animals, in particular on dogs, which also suffer from demodicosis. But a person cannot become infected from an animal, since those ticks belong to other species and cannot live on humans. Demodex mites are considered opportunistic. This means that they can live on the skin of a healthy person - their presence does not always lead to the development of the disease. Different studies indicate different prevalence of Demodex. In any case, at least 50% of people are carriers of these mites; some researchers put the figure at 97%. It is believed that among children and young people there are fewer carriers of Demodex mites, the number of carriers increases with age, and almost all older people are affected by this mite.
Demodex lives in the sebaceous glands and hair follicles, preferring the face to other parts of the body. Larger mites, Demodex folliculorum, most often target the hair follicles of the eyelashes and eyebrows. Demodex brevis prefers to settle in the sebaceous glands of the wings of the nose, nasolabial folds, and chin. However, mites can also be found on other areas of the skin, including the cheeks, neck, chest and back.
Demodex mites are not visible to the naked eye. An individual of Demodex folliculorum can reach a size of 0.5 mm; Demodex brevis is even smaller - no more than 0.15 mm. Demodex does not like light and is most active at night. The most comfortable temperature for it is 30-40 °C, so the tick becomes active in the spring and summer.
What is the facial nerve?
The trigeminal nerve, also known as the facial nerve, is the largest of the twelve cranial nerves. It originates in the ear, after which it branches, the first path reaches the frontal part, the second is located at the jaw. The nerve goes around almost the entire surface of the human face; it literally controls it.
Every person has two facial nerves - one on each side of the head. It is in contact with other cranial nerves and has supersensitive fibers.
Doctors divide the disease into two types - primary and secondary. The primary one manifests itself as a complication from a cold, in this case the normal nutrition of the nerve is disrupted. Secondary occurs with severe intoxication against the background of inflammatory or infectious diseases, as well as tumor processes.
Causes of demodicosis
In a healthy person, the activity of the Demodex mite is suppressed by the body's immune defense. With a decrease in immunity, there are more ticks, which leads to the development of demodicosis. Also, an increase in the number of mites can be caused by metabolic disorders. Demodex feeds mainly on the secretions of the sebaceous glands, so increased productivity of the sebaceous glands leads to the activation of mites and, as a consequence, manifestations of demodicosis.
Thus, the list of the main reasons for the development of demodicosis may look like this:
- decreased general immunity;
- stress factors (stress and negative emotions contribute to decreased immunity);
- chronic diseases leading to a decrease in the protective ability of the skin;
- increased skin oiliness;
- hormonal changes (in particular during adolescence, when as a result of such changes the viscosity of the secretion of the sebaceous glands increases);
- use of cosmetics with hormonal supplements;
- failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.
What diseases cause itching and flaking of the skin?
There are quite a few diseases accompanied by itching and peeling of the skin of varying degrees of intensity and prevalence:
- allergies to food, medications;
- contact dermatitis;
- seborrhea;
- psoriasis;
- eczema;
- fungal skin diseases;
- disruption of the sebaceous glands;
- infectious diseases;
- diabetes;
- hormonal disorders;
- thyroid diseases;
- blood diseases;
- parasitic diseases (scabies, demodicosis, etc.).
Symptoms of demodicosis
Mites destroy the cells of the follicle walls and sebaceous glands. This leads to the appearance of keratinization, foci of inflammation, and pigmentation. Demodex migrates across the skin, exploring new areas; Thus, with increasing demodicosis, the signs of damage spread over an increasingly larger area. It is also assumed that mites cause sensitization of the body, that is, an allergic reaction is added to mechanical damage.
The main symptoms of demodicosis are:
Acne (acne)
Juvenile acne in most cases is a manifestation of demodicosis.
Skin redness
Redness may be accompanied by swelling of the skin.
Itching
Itching with demodicosis usually intensifies at night, when mite activity increases.
More about the symptom
Skin changes
Progressive demodicosis leads to changes in the skin: roughening, peeling, and the appearance of thickenings similar to scars. In the advanced stage, the skin takes on an earthy color.
Blepharitis
When Demodex affects the eyelashes, signs of blepharitis (inflammation of the ciliary edge of the eyelids) develop: the eyelids begin to itch, turn red, swell, and may stick together. The eyes water, inflammation spreads to the conjunctiva - conjunctivitis develops. Loss of eyelashes is observed.
Symptoms of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve
Experts include short-term, but acute and intense pain in different parts of the head as the main symptoms of facial neuralgia. Shooting attacks spread over the entire surface of the face - lips, eyes, nose, upper and lower jaw, gums and tongue.
Patients also report the following symptoms:
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Muscle weakness
- 2-3 days before facial expressions are affected, pain occurs behind the outer ear, spreading to the face, back of the head and eyes
- Facial asymmetry
- Inability to close the eye on the affected side
- Drooping corner of the mouth
- Dry mouth
- Slurred speech
- Cross-eyed strabismus
- Uncontrollable tearing
- Disorders of taste buds
- Increased drooling
- Facial muscle spasms
- Increased or decreased facial sensitivity
- Temperature increase
Due to discomfort and pain, the patient begins to develop a phobia and increased anxiety. He tries to avoid poses and movements that provoke discomfort.
Methods for diagnosing demodicosis
The symptoms of demodicosis coincide with the symptoms of some other diseases (dermatitis, allergies). Acne with demodicosis is similar to the manifestations of rosacea (rosacea disease). Therefore, laboratory diagnostics are necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
Demodex analysis
The material for analysis is a scraping from the skin. If the eyelids are affected, eyelashes are taken for analysis. Next, a microscopic examination is carried out, which is designed to detect tick individuals or eggs.
More information about the diagnostic method
Sign up for diagnostics To accurately diagnose the disease, make an appointment with specialists from the Family Doctor network.
Disease prevention
Doctors recommend eliminating effects on the body that cause inflammation of the trigeminal nerve. Here are some recommendations to help avoid illness:
- Avoid drafts and hypothermia
- Keep your head warm during the cold season
- Monitor your blood pressure
- Timely treatment of infectious and bacterial diseases
- Have a routine check-up with an oncologist
- Avoid skull and head injuries
You can sign up for an individual consultation, take tests or undergo treatment at the Medunion private clinic. You can easily make an appointment with us by calling 202-95-54 or online, directly on the website, by clicking on the “Online booking” button.
We have been working in Krasnoyarsk since 2006 and provide high-quality medical services to the population. The staff consists of highly qualified doctors of broad and narrow specialization.
Treatment methods for demodicosis
Treatment of demodicosis is a long process. On average it takes 4-6 weeks, but in some cases it may take several months.
The difficulty of treating demodicosis, in particular, is that the most effective anti-mite remedies are quite toxic. Therefore, means for the treatment of demodicosis are selected individually, depending on the degree of damage and the patient’s condition.
Treatment must be comprehensive. The course of treatment includes both local and systemic therapy.
Local therapy
Local therapy for demodicosis is aimed at suppressing the activity of the mite. Without the use of local therapy, treatment success cannot be expected.
Systemic therapy
Systemic therapy for demodicosis involves measures to strengthen the immune system and normalize metabolism.
Make an appointment Do not self-medicate. Contact our specialists who will correctly diagnose and prescribe treatment.
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Causes of inflammation of the trigeminal nerve on the face
Usually the disease is caused by infection or bacteria. List of reasons why inflammation of the facial nerve may occur:
- Temporomandibular joint injuries
- Tumors (benign and malignant) of the brain and facial area
- Anomalies of skull development
- Skull injuries - birth, fracture, base, damage to the face or jaw
- Polio
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
- Otitis
- Sinusitis
- Chronic caries
- Inflammation after tooth extraction or treatment
- Hypertension
- HIV and AIDS
- Poisoning
- Inflammation of the middle ear
- Severe hypothermia of the head
- Changes in hormonal levels in women
- Gum inflammation
- Ramsay Hunt syndrome
- Stroke
- Bell's palsy
Causes range from minor to life-threatening illnesses. Each of the reasons determines the further treatment of the patient. In some cases, special tests are performed for diagnosis - auditory, lacrimal, infectious, salivary or gustatory. In this way, the functioning of the receptors and sensory organs is checked.
Treatment of skin allergies around the eyes
The first priority action when signs of allergy occur is to stop contact with the allergen. If symptoms appear for no apparent reason, you should change your position, take a shower, and wash your face. This increases your likelihood of reducing your exposure to the allergen, even if you don't understand what caused the symptoms.
Additionally, antihistamines must be taken, preferably second generation4. These drugs include drugs based on cetirizine, for example, Cetrin. The work of drugs in this group is to block histamine receptors, thereby relieving the clinical manifestations of allergies. The drugs begin to act in 15-20 minutes, so they quickly improve a person’s condition4.
Additional general recommendations:
- Do not rub your eyes, this aggravates the clinical manifestations.
- Use corticosteroid ointments with caution (it is advisable to consult with specialists before using this).
- Choose your antihistamine carefully.
- During treatment, avoid cosmetics, creams and any chemical products for your facial skin.
- If you are allergic to animals or pollen, do wet cleaning more often, wash clothes after returning from the street or contact with an animal.
The rate of disappearance of symptoms is influenced by: the amount and duration of exposure to the allergen, the body’s reactivity, and the use of an antihistamine.
To sum up all of the above, we can say
- Lipoma and atheroma are benign formations of different natures - lipoma simply consists of altered adipose tissue, and atheroma is made of a sebaceous gland with a capsule filled with secretion - sebaceous atheromatous masses.
- Conservative, incl. Treatment of lipoma with folk remedies, as well as treatment of atheroma, is absolutely ineffective and often harmful.
- A small (2-3 cm) lipoma can not be operated on, but observed. In case of growth, as well as any discomfort, surgery to remove the lipoma is indicated.
- Removal of atheroma is always desirable, because they tend to increase in size and fester.
- If you find a subcutaneous formation in yourself, you need to consult a doctor, because... under the guise of a lipoma or atheroma, other formations can develop - dermatosarcomas, liposarcomas, hygromas, lymphadenitis, etc.
Dr. Elshansky I.V. has been involved in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of benign formations of the skin and subcutaneous tissue for many years.
Is it possible not to treat an allergic reaction?
Clinical manifestations in the eye area cause significant discomfort. The condition will worsen with continued contact with the allergen. But even stopping exposure to the irritant does not always provide full recovery.
An integrated approach to the treatment of an allergic reaction: avoiding allergens in combination with taking medications gives a chance for a full recovery and a return to a full life. In addition, timely use of medications that relieve the condition allows one to avoid serious complications when allergies turn from local to systemic3.
Symptoms requiring increased attention:
- Swelling of the entire face;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Swelling of the tongue;
- Increased breathing;
- Increased heart rate;
- Blue face;
- Reduced pressure.
Emergency care for suspected angioedema or anaphylactic shock should begin with calling an ambulance1. Eye allergies rarely lead to such complications. The key role here is played by the duration of exposure to the allergen and proper treatment.
