Demodex Mites

We ALL Have Mites on our Skin and in our Eyelash Follicles Sorry...

The mite, Demodex follicularum, spends its entire lifetime living in our skin follicles. In the daytime they feed on our oily skin secretions, at night they leave the pore to find mates, and find new follicles in which to have sex and lay their eggs.

If the thought makes you want to wash your face, forget it. You've been carrying the mites since you were born - they're passed from mother to baby during breast feeding - and live too deep in the pores to be washed out.

Face mites, scientifically identified as Demodex folliculorum (D. folliculorum), are minute arachnid (spider family) organisms residing in hair follicles, particularly around the eyelids and lashes. They subsist on deceased skin cells and oils. Another variant, Demodex brevis (D. brevis), typically inhabits thin, wrinkled skin.

Research indicates that these mites are present in nearly 100% of adults, and can worsen as we age. While ubiquitous, face mites can pose issues when their population proliferates, leading to demodicosis. This condition manifests as symptoms like itching, sores, and the potential exacerbation of skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and comorbidities related to acne, necessitating treatment.

Demodicosis, an infestation of face mites, manifests as small white bumps, akin to acne whiteheads, accompanied by redness and itching. The condition arises when face mites multiply uncontrollably, surpassing the normal immune response.

D. folliculorum mites predominantly appear on the face, particularly around the eyelids, earning them the colloquial term "eyelash mites." On the other hand, D. brevis mites inhabit thin and wrinkled skin areas, including elbows, knees, shoulder blades, around the genitals, and under the breasts.

Face mites, exclusive to humans, exhibit a life cycle involving mating on the skin surface during sleep, followed by females burrowing tunnels into the skin to lay eggs. The period from hatching to adulthood spans about two weeks, with a lifespan of one to two months.

Demodicosis symptoms include rapid onset of tiny whiteheads, dryness, itching, redness, acne-like eruptions, and burrow marks on the face. Complications are usually preventable with timely treatment, but untreated cases may lead to skin conditions such as rosacea, blepharitis (chronic eye inflammation), and dermatitis.

Face mites, integral to healthy skin, can be transmitted through close contact, particularly during face-to-face interactions like kissing. A functional immune system usually maintains control, but overgrowth is more likely in individuals with compromised immunity, and advanced age, disrupted skin barrier and acne. They eat sebum, the greasy oil your skin makes to protect itself and keep it from drying out. The sebum is produced in sebaceous glands, which empty into the hair follicles and coat both the hair shaft and face mite.

That's why the greasiest parts of your body, such as around the eyes, nose and mouth, likely harbor a higher concentration of mites than other areas, creating what is called Demodex frost.

Diagnosis of face mites typically relies on symptom observation, with features like "Demodex frost" indicating demodicosis. Demodicosis can also be triggered by local suppression of the immune system, like using itch-relieving hydrocortisone cream on the face, and patients undergoing chemotherapy. Its onset is typically rapid. Patients consistently depict a sudden, explosive emergence of pustules resembling whiteheads on their facial skin. The abrupt nature of this manifestation is particularly striking. What adds to its dramatic impact is the fact that individuals are frequently asymptomatic the day before, only to witness its overnight development.

Treatment options range from self-care measures like daily cleansing and exfoliation to over-the-counter solutions with tea tree oil. In severe cases, prescription medications like metronidazole or ivermectin creams and eye drops may be necessary.

Demodex Eyelash Mites & Mascara

Since demodex eyelash mites can be spread from person to person by contact, mascara can transplant them from one person to the next. NEVER share mascara, and throw away your mascara after 3 months of use.

Mite Infestation is Common in Persons Who Get Lash Extensions

(It bears repeating) It is critical you maintain utmost cleanliness when you have lash extensions. Also, be aware many of the adhesives are in the same family as Crazy Glue. Many people react to cyanoacralate adhesives which creates irritation, further breaking down your skins' natural barrier.

Prevention involves maintaining skin hygiene, refraining from sharing personal care items, and washing linens and shared items regularly. Proper professional exfoliation aids in removing dead skin cells and waxy sebum that mites feed on.

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