What Are Demodex Mites?
Article Sources
- 1. Rather, Parvaiz Anwar, and Iffat Hassan. 'Human demodex mite: the versatile mite of dermatological importance.' Indian journal of dermatology, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3884930
- 2. Namazi, M R. 'A possible role for human follicle mites in skin's defense against bacteria.' Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17675744
- 3. Zhao, Ya-e et al. 'Sociodemographic characteristics and risk factor analysis of Demodex infestation (Acari: Demodicidae).' Journal of Zhejiang University. Science, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3232433
- 4. Luo, Yang et al. 'Treatment of mites folliculitis with an ornidazole-based sequential therapy: A randomized trial.' PubMed, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2739914
How Demodex Mites Live on the Skin
Demodex mites typically spend their days inside the hair follicles of the skin, feeding on sebum. Sebum is the oily, waxy substance produced in sebaceous glands to help protect the skin and keep it from drying out.
The mites live for about two weeks. They spend most of their time hidden inside the skin, but while people sleep, they crawl out onto the skin's surface to mate. Afterward, they head back to lay their eggs inside the hair follicles.
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