{
  "id": 8176397,
  "title": "Entzündung am Auge: Milben am Auge: Wie man den Befall erkennt und bekämpft",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/entzundung-am-auge-milben-am-auge-wie-man-den-befall-erkennt-und",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-18T05:00:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/technik/medizin/entzuendung-am-auge-milben-am-auge-wie-man-den-befall-erkennt-und-bekaempft/100255546.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Have you ever heard of Demodex mites? These tiny spider-like creatures are essentially our unacknowledged tenants, as they belong to our natural skin flora, living in hair follicles and sebaceous glands. However, if these mites reproduce excessively within eyelash roots and oil and tear glands, they can become quite bothersome. Indeed, they can trigger eye inflammations, a situation that is all too common in ophthalmology clinics, yet often overlooked. The German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) points out studies revealing that such infestations are frequently mistaken for dry eyes, allergic reactions, or the skin condition rosacea. The danger lies in this misdiagnosis, as it prevents proper treatment and allows the discomfort to persist. Signs of a mite infestation on the eye According to the DOG, typical symptoms include burning, itching and/or reddened eyes, a foreign body sensation, and eyelid crusts. An eye doctor or ophthalmologist can detect cylindrical flakes around the eyelashes, \"encasing the eyelashes like a small collar,\" as described by ophthalmologist and DOG expert Christina Jacobi. To confirm the diagnosis, ophthalmologists can extract individual eyelashes and examine them under a microscope for mites. The preferred treatment involves creams containing tea tree oil. Good news: mite infestations on the eye can be effectively treated. Daily application of tea tree oil creams is the recommended method. They can be purchased over-the-counter at a pharmacy in the form of foam or gel. The cream is applied to a cloth or cotton swab and gently applied along the lid margin and eyelash base. As ophthalmologist Jacobi explains, this should remove the crusty debris while leaving the treatment agent intact. Important: Do not use pure, undiluted tea tree oil as it may cause unpleasant eye irritations. After using the tea tree oil cream, gently massage the lid margin with a cotton swab or clean fingers, advises the DOG. Treatment should be carried out daily for four to six weeks to completely cover the life cycle of the mites, as recommended by ophthalmologist Jacobi.",
  "summary": "Juckreiz, Rötung, Fremdkörpergefühl: Irgendwas stimmt mit dem Auge nicht? Übeltäter könnten Milben sein, die an Wimpernwurzeln und Lidrändern die Oberhand gewonnen haben. Was hilft dann?",
  "key_points": [
    "Demodex mites live in eyelash roots and oil glands, often causing eye inflammation",
    "Symptoms include burning, itching, reddened eyes, and eyelid crusts",
    "Tea tree oil cream treatment recommended for four to six weeks"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Misdiagnosis of Demodex mite infestations as dry eyes, allergic reactions, or rosacea prevents proper treatment, allowing discomfort to persist, but effective treatment with tea tree oil creams is available.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}