To date, scientists have identified more than 50 thousand species of parasitic ticks. Dozens of new unexplored individuals appear every year. Some of them are extremely dangerous for human life and health. One of the most common species in everyday life is a feather tick.
Description of the parasite, causes
Ticks belong to the family of small arachnids. They are divided into two orders: acariform and parasitiform. Acariform mites are closer to the phalanx arachnids, in turn, parasitiform mites belong to the class of hayfields.
The feather tick (photo presented in the article) belongs to the acariform group. The parasite is almost impossible to detect, it has a transparent scaly body, and its size does not exceed 0.5 mm in length. Due to the peculiarities of its structure, it cannot bite a person, however, the protein that it secrets during its life can cause an acute allergic reaction.
The main causes of the appearance of the insect are unsanitary conditions and neglect of personal and bedding. Ticks spread very quickly. It is impossible to completely get rid of them, but their number can be significantly reduced.
Habitat
Pests live and breed on the feathers of birds, eventually causing them to fall out. In residential buildings, feather mites are most often found in pillows (photo below), upholstered furniture, carpets, and dust. However, downy and feather pillows are considered the most favorable habitat for the parasite.
The feather base and human sweat together create the optimum temperature and humidity necessary for the reproduction of the insect. Most people ventilate the room before going to bed, thereby improving the living conditions of the insect, since fresh air is one of the main components of its life support.
Any downy or feathery product, if improperly maintained, will gain weight in a few years due to the accumulation of dust and ticks. For every centimeter of a feather pillow, an average of up to 200 individuals. As a rule, parasites get on the skin of a person precisely from down or feather products, while causing clearly tangible discomfort.
Since it is extremely difficult to completely get rid of the feather tick, in most developed countries, down and feather filling of bedding is prohibited. This mainly applies to children's municipal institutions, hospitals, resorts, hotels, barracks and hostels for students.
Modern manufacturers prefer synthetic fillers, such as synthetic winterizer and holofiber. It is much easier to care for such products, in addition, the existence of parasites in them is almost impossible. For people who prefer natural materials, bedding with bamboo or coconut fiber, buckwheat, needles and even peeled meadow hay is recommended. It is advisable to renew the pillows once a year.
Danger to humans
If treatment is not started in time, the feather tick can cause acute allergic reactions or exacerbate existing diseases:
- Asthma. The patient often has bouts of the disease.
- Allergies are possible with severe coughing, lacrimation and runny nose. If you eliminate the allergen, your health improves, and the symptoms disappear.
- Urticaria is accompanied by itching, characteristic pink spots appear on the body.
- Atopic dermatitis - manifested by redness and peeling of certain areas of the skin, severe itching is possible. The disease requires long-term treatment.
- Edema of the respiratory tract is the most dangerous possible reaction, since there is a likelihood of death.
Symptoms
The feather tick in the human body causes a rash and redness of the skin. In most cases, it is acne or small ulcers on the forehead and nasolabial triangle. Affected areas flaky, there is a feeling of tightened and dry skin, possibly a slight tingling, oily sheen.
Allergy sufferers are most affected by the pest. The most severe allergic reactions include:
- redness and rash, in some cases throughout the body;
- scratching in places of unbearable itching;
- lacrimation, conjunctivitis.
Other symptoms of demodicosis:
- rash, purulent inflammation, acne;
- earthy complexion;
- enlarged pores;
- pruritus itching;
- increased hair loss;
- weakened immunity;
- increased work of the sebaceous glands;
- bouts of itching at night.
Most often, a tick can be found on the wings of the nose, around the eyes, on the eyebrows and eyelashes. In the latter case, the eyelashes become thin and fall out. On the body, parasites are extremely rare. In order to prevent complications of the disease, it is important to contact a specialist in time and undergo a course of treatment.
What can not be done when infection is detected?
A person who has discovered an infection with a feather tick is categorically not allowed to:
- crush acne with your own hands, so you can bring the infection into the deeper layers of the skin and blood;
- use decorative cosmetics - tick larvae may remain on it, which in the future will lead to re-infection;
- use creams, as the habitat of the parasite improves, and the infection spreads throughout the face;
- carry out cosmetic procedures such as scrub, massage, cleansing and masks;
- visit the pool, sauna, solarium;
- wash yourself with hot water.
It is also highly recommended that you review your daily diet. Refuse semi-finished, canned, smoked, spicy and fried foods. Add less salt and spices to your food. Exclude alcohol during treatment. In reasonable quantities, you can eat chocolate and drink coffee.
Treatment
A feather tick harms the entire body in order to fully recover; a complex of actions is needed. These include the fight against the number and reproduction of individuals, as well as drug treatment of skin diseases.
First of all, you need to contact a specialist to establish a diagnosis and take tests, only in this case, the doctor can prescribe an individually suitable therapy.
Typically, these are:
- course intake of vitamins and minerals;
- anti-inflammatory ointments;
- a soap that relieves ticks on the skin;
- in rare cases, the doctor may prescribe antibiotic treatment.
On average, it takes from 1.5 to 2 weeks to eliminate the external manifestations of tick infection.
ethnoscience
Many people prefer to treat alternative medicine as a treatment for feather tick bites.
- One of the most effective recipes for parasitic exposure is the infusion of calendula. The product is applied to a cotton pad and skin inflammation is treated.
- Aloe juice can be used as a compress: apply to a bandage and apply to the skin.
- In case of severe damage to the skin, castor oil is mixed with Trichopolum and a bandage is applied for 8-10 hours daily.
How to get rid?
If a parasite is found, people ask how to get rid of the feather tick.
In specialized stores, you can purchase a solution against parasites and treat them with carpets and furniture. Chemical preparations from insects need to be diluted with water in strict accordance with the instructions, if possible, sanitation should be entrusted to professionals.
The most effective remedies include:
- Tsifoks is a powder that has proven itself in the fight against ticks. The drug is diluted with water according to the instructions and the room is treated. After a month, the procedure should be repeated.
- "Sipaz" - the emulsion is intended for disinfection of residential premises, it is absolutely safe for humans. The disinfecting effect lasts up to 1.5 months.
- Bedding is sprayed with herbal sprays; after 3-4 hours, adult ticks die.
- Easy air - a parasite remedy created from plant components.
- Allergoff - antiparasitic spray, designed for the treatment of mattresses, carpets and upholstered furniture.
After sanitization, it is advisable to leave the premises for a day. Then thoroughly clean using chlorinated products. Wash bedding and steam.
What to do with a pillow?
To get rid of ticks in feather pillows, it is recommended that you clean your sleeping accessories once a year. In a specialized salon, it is important to clarify the cleaning method: mechanical, chemical or water. The quality of washing directly affects the number of malicious individuals.
If it is not possible to contact dry cleaning, then you can independently process the pillows. This will require:
- Pull out the contents of the pillow and put in a bag of cloth, do not press. Tie the bag and put it in soapy water, prepared on the basis of laundry soap.
- Leave for 4 hours, while stirring water every 30 minutes and knead feathers or fluff.
- Rinse under running water.
- Hang in the sun, preferably outside until completely dry. During drying, knead the contents every hour to dry all the filler.
Preventative measures
With the help of prevention, you can prevent an increase in the number of feather ticks:
- First of all, it is necessary to regularly conduct wet cleaning of the home, more often to wash and iron textiles. During washing and cleaning, it is advisable to use products designed to combat insects.
- Replacing feather pillows with hypoallergenic synthetic or natural fillers significantly reduces the number of ticks. In addition, artificial filler can be washed, unlike feather and down, which must be changed annually.
- You can eliminate the parasite from getting on your skin using additional mattress covers and bedding sheets. Blankets and pillows must be knocked out regularly, dried in the sun or taken out in the cold.
- If the house has pets, they need to provide a separate bed. It is more often to bathe and comb out the pet, as dirt and dead skin particles nourish the parasite. In addition, animal hair left on furniture is a favorable breeding ground for ticks.
The main rule to remember: the less dust and dirt in the house, the less likely the appearance and reproduction of harmful parasites.