Say hello to these little mites that live on your face. They can be either your uninvited guests or your worst nemesis. Almost all of us have these tiny parasites living in the pores of our face at this very moment. These tiny guests are called Demodex but don’t let the term face mite fool you. They are not only in our face but also spread over most of our body.
Demodex mites may get their name from a Greek word that means ‘fat’ and ‘boring worm’, but they are not in fact worms. The truth is they’re actually arachnids and related to ticks and spiders. You may want to run to the sink to scrub your face clean or take a shower, but this is a useless effort because it won’t get rid of them. Don’t worry about them because it is normal for everybody to have them at low levels.
Research on Demodex Face Mites
Research based findings suggest that people in different parts of the world have different face mites. They tell a unique story of your own ancestry and also the story of ancient humankind, migration and history. In the research mentioned above, they tested more than 2,000 people, including tourists from worldwide, and found DNA evidence of face mites on each and single one of them.
Can We See Face Mites with Our Eyes?
Demodex mites are microscopic parasites that live in our faces, as well as other parts of our body. They’re small, and we can’t see them with the naked eye. It would take about five adult mites laid end to end to stretch across the head of a pin. Two species live in our skin, Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis. Demodex folliculorum is 0.3 mm long and has seven clawed organs called “palpus”.
On the other hand, Demodex brevis is shorter and only 0.15 to 0.2 mm long. Besides, it has five clawed organs. Demodex folliculorum lives in the hair follicles of human skin, feeding on dead skin cells. Unlike Demodex brevis, this type is mainly found on our faces. These species of mite tend to be most common around the eyes, affecting the lids and lashes.
How Does Demodex Face Mites Lives?
Both species of Demodex mite have a life cycle that has five stages: egg, larva, protonymph, tritonymph and adult stages. The mite’s life cycle usually takes two to three weeks.
The female Demodex mite is shorter and rounder than the male and lays fifteen to twenty eggs inside the hair follicle near the sebaceous glands. The eggs evolve into larvae, which finally become an adult eight-legged mite. The adult female mite remains in the follicle, while the adult male leaves the follicle searching for a new mate.
The mites can crawl approximately 8 to 16 cm/h and tend to be more active in the dark because they are really sensitive to light.
New Face, Old Guests
Demodex face mites are the creature that we have the closest connection with as humans, even though most of us don’t know they even exist on our bodies.
We still have this very ancient and intimate relationship, and it seems that we’ve had these face mite species with us for all of our history. They can usually tell us some facts about our geographical ancestry, and where our ancestors came from in what part of the world.
Are Face Mites Contagious?
Yes, They are contagious. Parents pass Demodex face mites to newborns through close physical contact after birth; however, infants and children lack significant Demodex colonization due to low sebum production.
Most of the time, your immune system prevents them from overpopulating. However, in some cases, the mites breed out of control and cause a skin condition called demodicosis.
Symptoms of Demodex Mites on the Face
The possible conditions and signs that large infestation of Demodex mites can cause or flare them up on the face are such as:
- Demodicosis.
- Atopic dermatitis(Eczema).
- Contact dermatitis.
- Seborrheic dermatitis.
- Rosacea.
- Alopecia.
- Acne.
- Roughness of the skin.
- Redness.
- Itching
- Crawling sensations.
- Increased sensitivity of the skin.
- Patchy and scaly skin.
- Hair loss.
- Hair thinning.
Diagnosis
Your doctor may scrape a sample of follicular oils and tissues from your face to diagnose these mites. Studying the skin sample under a microscope can determine the presence of Demodex mites on the face.
Also, the Demodex online test is another way to diagnose these tiny creatures. The results are reliable and based on accurate research.
Preventative Measure Against The Proliferation of Face Mites
You can use the following methods in order to Prevent triggering Demodex Face mites to trigger.
- Expose fabrics to sunlight regularly.
- Avoid face to face contact where possible.
- Laugh often and do things that bring joy.
- Support a healthy immune system.
- Avoid harsh scrubs.
- Use Procutin as a prevention shield
- If you see notice early signs of Demodex act quickly.
PROCUTiN and Face Mites
Ozidex presents PROCUTiN, which is a handy portable bottle containing our unique anti-Demodex formula that will not only actively target mites on the skin, but also act as a preventative shield from mites transferring onto your body and environment.
PROCUTiN is safe for the whole family and easy to get started here:
References :
Meet The Mites That Live On Your Face
Hard Truth: “Face Mites” Are a Thing—Here’s How to Get Rid of Them
You Have Face Mites Living on Your Skin—Here’s What You Should Know About Them
These Face Mites Really Grow on You
Demodex infestation requires immediate, aggressive treatment by doctor, patient
What are the symptoms of Demodex folliculorum?
Demodex Brevis: What You Should Know
Human Demodex Mite: The Versatile Mite of Dermatological Importance
