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Providing tips and solutions for bird mite dermatitis and other health-related problems; which can include witch hazel, epsom salt, sulfur, baking soda, and others.

An area of bird mite dermatitis below the ankle. Symptoms include: dryness, intense itching and patchy redness. This can often take weeks to clear up.

TIP: For bird mite dermatitis, witch hazel in a spray bottle and a green scrubber pad can be an effective strategy for the daily battle of bird mites on the skin. Witch hazel is a mild astringent and can help alleviate some of the painful itching and inflammation. It is gentle enough to use daily. Although it is a weak miticide for D. Gallinae, it will aggravate the mites enough to quit biting and you can more easily ‘scrub‘ them off your skin. OPTIONAL: For increased effectiveness add about 10 drops of Tea Tree essential oil to every 6 oz. of witch hazel in the spray bottle.

Green Scrubber: Cut a Scotch Brite scour pad in half and trim the edges off. Before first use, place in warm soapy water for a couple of hours to soften. This scrubber can be helpful in removing the mites that are on the skin.

TIP: When the skin can becomes painfully itchy because of bird mite bites, sometimes the dermatitis cannot be alleviated with witch hazel or alcohol; and a product which can often be effective is Aveeno Anti-Itch lotion with Calamine. It can also soothe the dry skin that sometimes occurs. It can be used daily if needed. Benadryl also makes an ‘extra strength’ anti-itch gel that may be helpful.

>>TIP: Povidone iodine can be used on the skin lesions to help prevent infections.<<

TIP: Head & Shoulders Anti-Itch Eucalyptus medicated shampoo can be used to give temporary relief for an itchy scalp from bird mite dermatitis. And it can also be used as a body wash with a scrub pad or loofah. It is less expensive than most other hair or skin care product available to treat bird mite dermatitis.

TIP: A Scotch Brite sponge scrubber can be effective when bathing or showering to remove bird mites that are on the skin. The sponge side for lathering up with an Epson Salt solution or some other body wash, and the scrubber side for vigorously rinsing off to remove bird mites that are on the skin. FYI: Bird mites do not easily drown submerged in water and so showering is often more effective than bathing.

TIP: There are a couple of ‘pet care’ products that can be useful for itchy skin due to bird mite dermatitis. The Veterinary Formula Antiparasitic Shampoo (left) has coal tar and sulfur, the Natural Care Itch Relief shampoo (right) has tea tree oil, neem oil and Aloe Vera. (Additional tea tree essential oil and neem oil can also be added). Either of these can be useful as a body wash or a shampoo for an itchy scalp. A sponge scrubber or a loofah can be used for ‘scrubbing’ the skin.

TIP: A quality hand sanitizer can be useful for killing mites that are on the skin. You want one that is 70% alcohol, preferably with aloe and moisturizers for daily use. You can keep a small bottle with you wherever you go; such as in the car, at work, etc.

TIP: Noxzema with Eucalyptus can bring temporary relief to the skin for those with bird mite dermatitis. And is somewhat effective in helping to keep the mites away for a short period of time. Unfortunately, It is water based and the application does not last long though. Adding this lotion to a Sulfur cream formula can also be an option.

Sulfur Cream Formula I

Sulfur can be an effective miticide and a sulfur cream applied to the skin can help with the bird mite dermatitis and promote healing. And it can also help deter the mites from biting where it is applied. Ingredients needed:

• Micronized or Sublimed Sulfur
• Vaseline
• Baking Soda (optional)
• Castor Oil or Vegetable Glycerin
• Vick’s VapoRub (or generic)
• Desitin with 40% Zinc Oxide (optional)
• Mini Whisk (optional)
• Metal Spatula (or butter knife)

INSTRUCTIONS: In a small container place 1 tablespoon of Castor oil or Glycerin and slowly whisk in 2 – 3 teaspoons of sulfur powder. Keep whisking until it thickens with no lumps. You can also add in a small amount of baking soda and completely mix together. Using a butter knife or metal spatula, put in 1 tablespoon of Vaseline and also mix in a heaping teaspoon of Vick’s; stirring until it is completely mixed together. (Optional: also add 1 tablespoon of Desitin). You can add more sulfur and baking soda to make it as thick as desired. This formula is petroleum based.

Ideal for use at night to keep the mites away while sleeping. The sulfur cream can be applied around the nose, eyelids and cheekbones (avoid getting it in the eyes), and even on the upper folds of the ears. It can also be applied on the feet, the back, etc. May need to reapply every few hours. FYI: Sulfur is somewhat staining on clothes and bed linens.

Sulfur Cream Formula II

• Micronized or Sublimed Sulfur
• Baking Soda
• Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, or similar
• Clove Bud essential oil
• Cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS: In a small container place 3 tablespoons of Castor oil and about 20 drops of Clove Bud essential oil. Mix thoroughly and add 1 teaspoon of Cinnamon and mix together. Slowly add about 3 teaspoons of sulfur and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Slowly mix together into a paste. You can add more of the sulfur and baking soda as desired. It can be made as thick as Nu-Stock, which some have found helpful. This formula is oil based.

“I find that by adding some garlic powder to the sulfur cream formula that it makes it even more effective!”

This simple to make and inexpensive skin cream can be helpful to keep the mites from aggressively biting, especially at night while sleeping. The Vaseline can help to smother the mites and protect the skin and the baking soda can be an effective miticide when used sufficiently. (This was submitted by one of our readers.) Ingredients needed:

• Baking soda
• Oil (Coconut, Castor, Olive, etc.)
• Tea Tree or Lemongrass essential oil (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS: Start by measuring out 2 teaspoons of baking soda into a small bowl, and add the same amount of oil and then mix together until it becomes a thick paste with no lumps. You can always add more baking soda if you want it to be thicker. A few drops of essential oil can also be added.

TIP: A vinegar and baking soda foot bath can help alleviate itchy feet. Sometimes it can seem like the mites are ‘digging in’ on the the bottom of the feet, especially during the night. Use a wash basin and add about ½ inch of vinegar and about a tablespoon of baking soda. It will create a momentary chemical reaction fizz. Afterwards, place your feet in for a few minutes, and it will effectively kill the mites. (This combination may be too harsh to use on other areas of the body and is not recommended.)

TIP: Baking soda is an effective product to deter and even eradicate bird mites. Arm & Hammer makes a foot powder that has baking soda as a main ingredient, which can be used on the feet as well as other parts of the body. Extra baking soda can also be added if desired.

“Bird mites will not stick around the closet shelves where I have placed a few drops of lemon-eucalyptus and citronella essentials oils…and these smell good too!”

TIP: This all natural Castile soap with Tea Tree oil can be an effective body wash for ‘scrubbing’ bird mites off the skin and is gentle enough to use daily. Extra Tea Tree essential oil can be added for more effectiveness. Dr Woods seems to be a bit thicker and richer than the other brand, but either will work well when extra essential oil is added.

Because bird mites are attracted to our CO2, it can be a problem, especially at night. They will gladly make their home in the nose and sinus cavities. A saline nasal flush can help, and can be used daily. Items needed:

• large enema bulb
• sea salt (iodine free)
• coffee mug or wide mouth jar

Place about 4 oz of very warm water in a mug, add about 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt and stir until it dissolves. Then add a bit of cool water so it can be tolerated. Lean over a sink and fill the bulb up and flush out each nostril. Repeat as needed. Expect to have some sinus drainage for the next half hour or so.

>>TIP: Gargle with undiluted hydrogen peroxide (regular 3%) to kill the bird mites that get in the mouth and throat. <<

Bird mites seem to have an affinity for getting in the eyes, especially at night. Bausch & Lomb (and others) make a gentle boric acid eye wash that can be effective and safe to use daily. It includes an eye cup. Place about 1/2 inch of solution in the cup and lean forward and gently place cup over the eye so it is sealed and then tilt your head back for a short period of time. Repeat as needed for both eyes.

Although bird mites are not usually as bothersome in the ears compared to the nose and eyes; they often can take refuge there. An effective solution which can be used daily is a 50/50 mixture of regular (white) vinegar and rubbing alcohol (70 or 91%). Place in a small dropper bottle and use when needed.

TIP: Arrid Extra Dry in the yellow can, is somewhat effective when sprayed on thick enough to suffocate the crawling mites on the skin. The Blue can (Extra Extra Dry) is NOT as effective, as it has a smaller particle size and does not work nearly as well.

TIP: Allegra (or generic) can be taken for reducing the reaction to the itchy dermatitis from the constant biting that can occur with a home infestation of bird mites. It is an antihistamine that can be taken daily; the affects can last for up to 24 hours. It is non-drowsy compared to Benadryl and is better tolerated for long term use. Some may not be able take these for health reasons.