What is Demodex Folliculorum? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Demodex Folliculorum is a mite parasite that exists on humans, especially in hairy parts of the body. These mites go unnoticed for the most part. But if a large number of these mites remain present on your skin, you’ll have some annoying skin problems and unusual symptoms. D. Folliculorum mites live on dead skin cells, body oils, and hormones that build upon the skin. These creatures tend to occur more often in males than females and in people who are from 20 to 30 years old.

Who is most affected by D. folliculorum mites? 

People with inadequate immune systems tend to have the most problems with this little parasite. Also, people who take steroids have cancer or liver disease, or who have HIV may find themselves itching and with peeling skin due to the mites. Certain people may be genetically prone to the D. Folliculorum mite. If your eyes suffer from ocular rosacea, you may also need to deal with the parasites bothering your eyes. 

What are the health issues caused by D. folliculorum? 

• Blepharitis. Blepharitis is an inflammation in the eyelids that may be caused by the mites. Blepharitis feels like watery, crusty, red eyelids. 
• Androgenetic alopecia. This type of alopecia remains hair loss that may be worsened by D. folliculorum mites. 
• Unspecific facial dermatitis, which has symptoms such as acne-like pimples, itching, and spots by the lips. 

What are the symptoms of Demodex folliculorum? 

A significant number of these mites cause symptoms that look very much like rosacea, like: 

• Itching
• Dryness
• Red skin
• Blemishes like acne
• Redness of the eyes
• Sore and burning eyelids

How can I know if I have excessive D. folliculorum mites on my skin? 

Your physician diagnoses the D. Folliculorum mite by examining the skin and taking a complete medical history. A skin biopsy confirms the diagnosis. If only a significant number of mites exist in the skin sample, you have the bugs in a large enough amount to be a problem to your skin. Doctors may apply chemicals to your skin to remove the mites. But there are also some treatments that you can use at home to help you with mite symptoms or prevent bugs from thriving on your skin. 

How to reduce your chances of getting Demodex Folliculorum 

Some necessary preventive measures you can take to keep the mite population down on your skin include: 

• Washing your face twice per day with a gentle skin cleanser. If your eyes are irritated, you want to gently cleanse your eyelids with a no tears formula of baby shampoo. 
• Don’t use oily or greasy cleansers or makeup on your face, as mites enjoy these as food. 
• Use a facial mask or other methods to exfoliate your skin either once or twice a week gently. 
• Use diluted tea tree (melaleuca) oil on the skin to kill the mites. 

The thought of mites on your skin remains disquieting. The actions mentioned above reduce your chances of overpopulation of these mites on your skin.