They're microscopic parasites that naturally live on your skin, and they're usually harmless. They're mainly in your hair follicles and the oil glands on your face, neck, or chest. But sometimes they can multiply too fast, if your immune system isn't strong or you have other skin conditions. When that happens, they can cause demodicosis, a rare condition that causes itching and irritation. If you start to have these symptoms, there are treatments that can help.
How Do Demodex Mites Survive on Your Body?
Male and female mites usually mate inside a follicle opening. They lay eggs inside your hair follicles and oil glands. Larvae hatch within three to four days and reach adulthood after seven days.
The mites live for about two 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
Demodex mites can spread from person to person by contact with hair, eyebrows, or oil glands on your skin.
What Are the Types of Demodex Mites?
Two types of Demodex mites live on humans: Demodex folliculorum (D. folliculorum) and Demodex brevis (D. brevis). D. folliculorum mites are around 0.3-0.4 millimeters long, while D. brevis mites are slightly smaller at 0.15-0.2 millimeters.
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. They have mouthparts designed to consume skin cells, oil, and hormones in your hair follicles and oil glands.
Demodex folliculorum. 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 follicle and survive on skin cells and oil.
Demodex brevis. While D. brevis mites aren't as common as D. folliculorum, 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 and feed on the cells.
What Are the Symptoms of Demodex Mites?
Symptoms of Demodex folliculorum infection
Some common symptoms of D. folliculorum infection are:
- Rough skin
- Scaly, flaky, or itchy skin
- Redness or rashes
- Skin sensitivity
- Burning
- Eczema
- Inflamed papules and pustules that resemble whiteheads
If your eyes are affected, you could notice:
- Blepharitis (eyelid irritation)
- Itchiness
- Loss of eyelashes
Symptoms of Demodex brevis infection
D. brevis symptoms are similar to those of D. folliculorum. But unlike with D. folliculorum, you may notice them on your neck or chest area.
How Do You Diagnose Demodex Mites?
Diagnosis of Demodex folliculorum infection
You can't tell you have D. folliculorum unless you have symptoms. To diagnose it, your doctor will scrape your skin to get a sample and look at it under a microscope.
Diagnosis of Demodex brevis infection
Your doctor diagnoses D. brevis the same way they do D. folliculorum — by looking at your skin cells under a microscope.
How Do Demodex Mites Affect Your Health?
Small numbers of Demodex mites can be good for you 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 have any problems.
But sometimes, people end up with too many mites burrowing into their skin, leading to demodicosis — the infection that causes skin inflammation.
People between the ages of 20 and 30 may be more prone 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, such as HIV/AIDS or liver disease.
Demodex mite complications
Some common conditions that have been linked to infestations of Demodex mites include:
Blepharitis. 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 blepharitis.
Signs of blepharitis include:
- Redness
- Tearing
- A burning or stinging sensation in your eyes
- White flakes in your eyelashes
- Feeling like something is in your eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Brittle eyelashes
- Loss of eyelashes
- Blurred vision at times
Rosacea. 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 areas affected by rosacea.
It's not clear whether rosacea causes a Demodex mite infestation or if the mites cause rosacea. 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 cause rosacea.
Signs of rosacea include:
- Lasting redness
- Thickened skin
- Blushing or flushing
- Eye irritation
- Bumps and pimples
- Visible blood vessels
- Swelling
- Dryness
- Stinging or burning
What Are Treatments for Demodex Mites?
If you have lasting skin irritation, a rosacea breakout, or a blepharitis issue that doesn't go away, see a doctor.
If the mites are on your eyelids, your doctor may prescribe a topical eye drop called lotilaner (Xdemvy). The FDA-approved drops are taken twice a day for six weeks. They work by targeting the mites and killing them.
The most commonly used treatment for demodicosis is a medication you apply to your skin called metronidazole. Other treatments include:
- Benzyl benzoate
- Crotamiton
- Ivermectin
- Lindane
- Permethrin
- Pulsed dye laser treatments
- Salicylic acid
- Selenium sulfide
- Sulfur products
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.
Your doctor may exfoliate your eyelids (remove dead skin from them) to provide relief. Medicated ointments can also help prevent the spread of Demodex mites from your eyelashes.
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.
How Do You Prevent Demodex Mites?
If you want to reduce the number of mites you have, even if you don't have symptoms of an infection, these steps may help:
- Keep your skin clean and wash your face twice a day.
- Avoid greasy skin products that may add extra oil or clog pores.
- Exfoliate your skin regularly.
Takeaways
Demodex mites live in the skin and pores of almost every person. They're microscopic and you can't see or feel them. They usually cause no issues and need no treatment. But if you have a weakened immune system due to health conditions such as HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, or drugs given after organ transplants, you may be at risk for a rare issue called demodicosis. That can cause itching, burning, and scales. Treatment for demodicosis usually includes a cream, lotion, or wash containing a certain pesticide.
Demodex Mites FAQs
Who gets Demodex mites?
Almost everyone has Demodex mites, but they usually don't cause any problems.
Is demodicosis contagious?
Very rarely. But Demodex mites can spread from person to person.
Can I get rid of Demodex mites at home?
Removing these mites on your own at home isn't usually successful.
What treatments kill Demodex mites?
They include metronidazole, ivermectin, tea tree oil, intense pulsed light, microblepharoexfoliation (MBE), or lotilaner ophthalmic solution.
Can you feel Demodex mites crawling?
No.
