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												<img src="https://img.lb.wbmdstatic.com/vim/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/article_thumbnails/reference_guide/what_are_demodex_mites_ref_guide/1800x1200_what_are_demodex_mites_ref_guide.jpg?resize=750:*" alt="photo of demodex mite on human skin" style="height:auto">
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													Two types of Demodex mites live on humans: Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis. Photo Credit: NANOCLUSTERING / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Image
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									</div></section><section><h2 class="jumplink-headers" id="091e9c5e82162423-1-2">How Demodex Mites Survive on Your Body</h2><p><span lang="EN">Male and female mites usually mate inside a follicle opening. They lay eggs inside your hair follicles and oil glands. Larvae hatch within 3-4 days and reach adulthood after 7 days.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">The mites live about 2 weeks. They usually come out at night to feast on dead skin cells before retreating to their hiding spots to lay eggs. When they die, they break down inside your hair follicles and sebaceous glands.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Demodex mites are contagious. They move from person to person by contact with hair, eyebrows, or oil glands on the skin.</span></p></section><section><h2 class="jumplink-headers" id="091e9c5e82162423-1-3">Types of Demodex Mites</h2><p><span lang="EN">Two types of Demodex mites live on humans: </span><i><span lang="EN">Demodex folliculorum</span></i><span lang="EN"> (</span><i><span lang="EN">D. folliculorum</span></i><span lang="EN">) and </span><i><span lang="EN">Demodex brevis</span></i><span lang="EN"> (</span><i><span lang="EN">D. brevis</span></i><span lang="EN">). </span><i><span lang="EN">D. folliculorum</span></i><span lang="EN"> mites are around 0.3-0.4 millimeters long, while </span><i><span lang="EN">D. brevis</span></i><span lang="EN"> mites are slightly smaller at 0.15-0.2 mm.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Both types have elongated, semi-transparent bodies made up of two fused segments, one of which has eight legs attached. Scales cover their bodies, helping them attach to your hair follicles. Each has mouthparts designed to consume skin cells, oil, and hormones in your hair follicles and oil glands. </span></p><p><i><span lang="EN"><strong>Demodex folliculorum</strong></span></i><span lang="EN"><strong>. </strong>This is the most common type of demodex mite. They tend to stay in the facial area, including your nose, cheeks, chin, eyelashes, eyebrows, and scalp. They might also be found on your neck and ears. They like to get inside the upper part of a hair </span>follicle<span lang="EN"> and survive on skin cells and oil.</span></p><p><span lang="EN"><strong>D</strong></span><i><span lang="EN"><strong>emodex brevis</strong></span></i><span lang="EN"><strong>. </strong>While</span><i><span lang="EN"> D. brevis</span></i><span lang="EN"> isn’t as common as</span><i><span lang="EN"> D. folliculorum</span></i><span lang="EN">, they affect a larger area of your body. They can affect your face and eyes but tend to migrate to your chest and neck area. They prefer to go deep into the oil glands there and feed on the cells.</span></p></section></div><div class="article-page " data-page="2"><section><h2 class="jumplink-headers" id="091e9c5e82162423-2-4">Symptoms</h2><p><span lang="EN"><strong>Symptoms of </strong></span><i><span lang="EN"><strong>Demodex folliculorum </strong></span></i><span lang="EN"><strong>infection</strong></span></p><p><span lang="EN">Some common symptoms of </span><i><span lang="EN">D. folliculorum</span></i><span lang="EN"> infection are: </span></p><ul><li><span lang="EN">Rough skin</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Scaly, flaky, or itchy skin</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Redness or rashes</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Skin sensitivity</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Burning </span></li><li>Eczema</li><li><span lang="EN">Inflamed papules and pustules that resemble whiteheads </span></li></ul><p><span lang="EN">If your eyes are affected, you could notice:</span></p><ul><li><span lang="EN">Blepharitis (eyelid irritation)</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Itchiness</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Loss of eyelashes</span></li></ul><p><span lang="EN"><strong>Symptoms of</strong></span><i><span lang="EN"><strong> Demodex brevis </strong></span></i><span lang="EN"><strong>infection</strong></span></p><p><i><span lang="EN">D. brevis </span></i><span lang="EN">symptoms are similar to those of </span><i><span lang="EN">D. folliculorum. </span></i><span lang="EN">But unlike with </span><i><span lang="EN">D. folliculorum</span></i><span lang="EN">, you may notice them on your neck or chest area.</span></p></section><section><h2 class="jumplink-headers" id="091e9c5e82162423-2-5">Diagnosis</h2><p><span lang="EN"><strong>Diagnosis of</strong></span><i><span lang="EN"><strong> Demodex folliculorum </strong></span></i><span lang="EN"><strong>infection</strong></span></p><p><span lang="EN">You can’t tell you have</span><i><span lang="EN"> D. folliculorum</span></i><span lang="EN"> unless you develop symptoms. To diagnose it, your doctor will scrape your skin to get a sample. Then they’ll look at it under a microscope.‌ </span></p><p><span lang="EN"><strong>Diagnosis of </strong></span><i><span lang="EN"><strong>Demodex brevis</strong></span></i><span lang="EN"><strong> infection</strong></span></p><p><span lang="EN">Your doctor diagnoses</span><i><span lang="EN"> D. brevis</span></i><span lang="EN"> the same way they do </span><i><span lang="EN">D. folliculorum</span></i><span lang="EN"> -- by looking at your skin cells under a microscope. </span></p></section><section><h2 class="jumplink-headers" id="091e9c5e82162423-2-6">How Demodex Mites Impact Your Health</h2><p><span lang="EN">Small numbers of </span>Demode<span lang="EN">x mites can be beneficial because they remove dead skin cells and extra oil on your skin. As long as the amount of mites on your skin stays under control, you are unlikely to experience any problems.</span></p></section><section> <p><span lang="EN">But sometimes, people end up with too many mites burrowing into their skin, leading to demodicosis -- the infection that causes </span>skin inflammation<span lang="EN">. </span></p><p><span lang="EN">People between ages 20-30 may be more vulnerable to demodicosis, as can older people and children under 5. You may also be prone to this rare condition if you’re on immunosuppressive drugs or have an immune-related disease like HIV/AIDS or liver disease.</span></p><p><span lang="EN"><strong>Demodex mite complications</strong></span></p><p><span lang="EN">Some common conditions that have been linked to infestations of Demodex mites include:</span></p><p><span lang="EN"><strong>Blepharitis</strong>. This inflammation of the eyelids is caused by a blockage in the oil glands in that area, usually at the base of your eyelashes. Demodex mites are often the reason people over 60 develop </span>blepharitis<span lang="EN">.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Signs of blepharitis include:</span></p><ul><li><span lang="EN">Redness</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Tearing</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Burning or stinging sensation in your eyes</span></li><li><span lang="EN">White flakes in your eyelashes</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Feeling like something is in your eye</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Sensitivity to light</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Brittle eyelashes</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Loss of eyelashes</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Blurred vision‌ at times</span></li></ul></section></div><div class="article-page " data-page="3"><section> <p><span lang="EN"><strong>Rosacea</strong>. This skin condition causes redness, mostly on the face. But it can also affect your neck, chest, ears, and scalp. Researchers have found larger numbers of Demodex mites on people’s skin in the same areas affected by rosacea. </span></p><p><span lang="EN">It’s not clear whether </span>rosacea<span lang="EN"> causes a Demodex mite infestation or whether rosacea is a result of the mites. Some experts think that having too many Demodex mites on the skin can trigger a reaction and lead to rosacea. Another theory is that bacteria tied to the parasites causes rosacea.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Signs of rosacea include:</span></p><ul><li><span lang="EN">Lasting redness</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Thickened skin</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Blushing or flushing</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Eye irritation</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Bumps and pimples</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Visible blood vessels</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Swelling</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Dryness</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Stinging or burning</span></li></ul></section><section><h2 class="jumplink-headers" id="091e9c5e82162423-3-9">Demodex Mite Treatment</h2><p><span lang="EN">If you have lasting skin irritation, a rosacea breakout, or a blepharitis issue that doesn’t go away, see a doctor.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">The most commonly used treatment for demodicosis is a medication you apply to your skin called metronidazole. Other treatments include:</span></p><ul><li><span lang="EN">Permethrin</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Benzyl benzoate</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Crotamiton</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Lindane</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Sulfur products</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Ivermectin</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Salicylic acid</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Selenium sulfide</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Pulsed dye laser treatments</span></li></ul></section><section> <p><span lang="EN">If your doctor thinks mites caused your blepharitis, they’ll advise cleaning your eye area daily with warm water. Warm compresses can help relieve swelling while they clean your lashes and eyelids.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Your doctor may </span>exfoliate <span lang="EN">your eyelids (remove dead skin from them) to provide relief. Medicated ointments can help prevent the spread of Demodex mites from your eyelashes.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Some people use tea tree oil as a home remedy for Demodex, but researchers aren’t sure how well it works. One study found it draws the mites out of your skin, which could make it easier for treatments to work. But tea tree oil can irritate your eyes.</span></p></section><section><h2 class="jumplink-headers" id="091e9c5e82162423-3-11">Demodex Mite Prevention</h2><p><span lang="EN">These parasites live harmlessly on most people’s skin. But if you want to reduce how many you have even if you don’t have symptoms of an infection, there are steps you can take: </span></p><ul><li><span lang="EN">Keep your skin clean and wash your face twice a day.</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Avoid greasy skin products that may add extra oil or clog pores.</span></li><li><span lang="EN">Exfoliate your skin regularly.</span></li></ul></section></div>