DEMODEX folliculorum mites live in or around hair follicles, feeding on the dead skin cells, oils, and hormones that build up there. These mites usually live on the face, including the eyelids and eyelashes.
They are more common in males than in females, with people aged 20–30 years old the most likely to be affected.
D. folliculorum mites are usually harmless but can cause problems for people with weakened immune systems like- liver disease, heart problems, HIV patients, etc.
SYMPTOMS– Large numbers of D. folliculorum mites can cause rosacea-like symptoms on the skin of the face.
- dryness
- itching
- flushing
- acne-like blemishes
- redness
- rough-feeling skin
- eye redness
TREATMENT
There are also some preventive measures that a person can take at home. These include:
- Washing the face twice daily with a gentle cleanser. Scrubbing the eyelids with baby shampoo may also help.
- Avoiding oil-based cleansers and greasy makeup, which can provide further “food” for the mites.
- Exfoliating once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells.
Keeping the skin clean and dry as well as addressing any underlying conditions may help to reduce the number of D. folliculorum mites.
