A mother from Harlesden, London, is grappling with a distressing condition believed to be caused by an overgrowth of microscopic skin mites, which she claims have taken a severe toll on her daily life. Jodi Alcock, aged 38, first noticed symptoms in September 2023, describing a persistent sensation of “tickling” on her face and arms, which escalated to sharp, painful bites.
Initially suspecting a flea infestation, Alcock, a part-time youth worker and single mother, called in fumigators multiple times over four months. Despite thorough inspections, no fleas were found in her home. Instead, her symptoms intensified, prompting her to explore the possibility of a mite infestation, specifically a condition related to Demodex mites.
From Suspicion to Diagnosis
In September 2025, Alcock was diagnosed with blepharitis, a condition characterized by swollen, itchy eyelids, often linked to skin bacteria, according to the NHS. While this diagnosis confirmed some of her concerns, Alcock has yet to receive an official diagnosis regarding the mites she believes are affecting her skin.
“I can actually feel them crawling all over my face and body, 24/7, day and night,” Alcock shared. She described the sensation as a “nightmare,” noting that she experiences sharp pinpricks on her skin, leading to the appearance of bumps and rashes. Despite raising her concerns about Demodex overgrowth with her doctors, she felt her symptoms were not taken seriously until she consulted a different physician who acknowledged the possibility.
Drastic Lifestyle Changes
In her quest for relief, Alcock has made significant lifestyle modifications. She removed all carpets from her home, steamed her mattress regularly, and discarded numerous personal items she believed could harbor mites. In addition, she has employed a mite detector, which flagged areas on her mattress where she typically sleeps.
“I cut my hair short because they were living in my hair,” she explained, emphasizing the lengths she has gone to in an effort to combat her symptoms. Alcock also maintains a strict cleaning routine, washing her sheets daily, wrapping her mattress in plastic, and even soaking her earrings in bleach after wearing them.
The situation has also affected her relationship with her young son, whom she fears may be impacted by her condition. Alcock reported noticing spots on her son’s skin in areas where she had previously hugged him, leading to further anxiety about the mites’ potential effects on his health.
To address her ongoing struggles, Alcock has sought the help of a private doctor in London specializing in mite-related conditions. The treatment, however, comes with a hefty price tag of approximately £3,000. In response, she has launched a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised over £1,200 to date.
“I want to wake up in the morning and not worry about holding my son. I can’t live like this, feeling these things living and crawling all over me,” she expressed.
Alcock’s plight highlights the challenges faced by individuals dealing with less understood skin conditions and the need for medical professionals to take patient concerns seriously. The NHS has been contacted for comment regarding her case, but as of now, Alcock continues her search for relief and a return to normalcy in her life.
