A micro animal that lives in our body
What Is Demodex Folliculorum?
Demodex folliculorum — shortened as D. folliculorum — is a kind of the parasitic demodex mite. D. folliculorum mites live in or around the hair follicles on your face.
Generally, D. folliculorum mites are harmless to humans. At normal levels, these mites benefit your skin by removing dead skin cells, oils, and hormones found around hair follicles, all of which can clog up your pores. But, in large numbers, they can irritate your skin and cause other related skin problems.
Without treatment, D. folliculorum infections can lead to rosacea-like symptoms. You may show inflamed skin and rashes as well as severe acne.
You can find D. folliculorum on:
Eyelids
Eyelashes
Eyebrows
Forehead
Nose
Cheeks
Chin
D. folliculorum is found more in men than in women and affects adults aged 20 to 30.
When Do D. Folliculorum Mites Become Dangerous?
D. folliculorum mites are naturally found on human skin. And, these mites can spread from person to person.
They become a problem when they are present in large numbers on the skin. They cause skin irritation among other skin problems.
If you have a compromised immune system, then your chances of getting D. folliculorum outbreaks are high. The diseases that can weaken your immune system include:
Cancer
Liver disease
HIV
Dermatitis
Rosacea
Another cause linked to increased D. folliculorum infection is sharing cosmetic products. Also, using oily cleansers or thick make-up products creates breeding grounds for D. folliculorum.
Wash your eyelashes.
sources:
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/21/725087824/meet-the-mites-that-live-on-your-face