1. What are Demodex mites?
Demodex Mites, also known as face mites, are not so well known by the public. They are parasites which live on the face and in the hair follicles of humans. They can badly damage the facial skin of humans, usually starting at middle age when the immune system is weakened and their population has increased.
There are two existing types: the longer kind, Demodex folliculorum, which live in the hair follicles and the short ones, Demodex brevis, which live in the sebaceous glands.
2. Where do Demodex live?
The mites can live on all body parts wherever there are hair roots and sebaceous glands however, they are most prevalent in the facial area, especially the nose, forehead, chin, and cheeks. These areas have the most favorable living and breeding conditions and provide an optimum temperature for them to thrive.
The Demodex folliculorum mite can also live in the eye lash roots and can be the reason for blepharitis, itching and infections. The hair follicles from the scalp are also often infected with itching as a result.
The mouth of these mites is like a very sharp needle that can directly sting into the cells to absorb nutrition. They like a wet and warm environment and become the most active in the dark. There are five stages in the life cycle. After mating on the surface of the skin, they go back into it and lay eggs, taking bacteria with them and excreting wastes and secretions, laying eggs and dying within its layers. After death, their corpses become liquid and decompose inside the skin.
3. What do Demodex mites look like?
Demdex Brevis mite
Demodex Folliculorum mite
4. Are Demodex Mites contagious?
Yes, demodex mites are very contagious. They are acquired through physical contact with infected persons; for example through kissing, hugging, using the same towels etc. However, not everyone who is infected has problems with them. It is a fact that the majority of infected people, show no signs of any disease, from the infected people, only around 10% are getting skin problems. This may be due to a healthier immune system and/or because of numerous other reasons which are not so well known for the moment.Infected people with no visible signs can also transmit the mites to other people.Once infected, it can take months or even years before the signs of infection become visible.
The Parasite:
Demodex mites live inside the sebaceous glands and hair follicles, sucking nutrients from the hair roots and damaging the cell walls. After mating they burrow into the skin, laying eggs, introducing bacteria and infection to the skin. Throughout the five phases of their life cycle, these mites destroy the skin by excreting wastes and secretions, laying eggs and dying within its layers. After death, their corpses become liquid and decompose inside the skin.
Research indicates that human demodex is a conditional-pathogenic parasite. The disorder occurs as the result of a large infestation of demodex mites on the skin, combined with a weakened immune system. The physical, chemical and mechanical stimulation of the skin from the mites can cause the immune system to react in extreme ways. Local allergic inflammation, erythema, papules and pustules are all reactions by the immune system.
5. What are the most obvious signs from demodex activity?
There are numerous different signs of demodex activity. This is not a complete list, rather it contains some of the most common cases.
One of the most obvious signs of the condition is a itching, crawling sensation on the face or (and) in the scalp. Often, the pores on the nose, forehead, chin and cheeks, become visibly larger. At a further stage, acne can develop, after some time, the facial skin can become red in places (rosacea) enlarging and damaging the capillaries, thickening the nose (brandy nose),widened pores. etc.
*Tickling sensation on the face & scalp, especially in the evening and night. This is the highest period of activity, usually when they mate.
*Hair loss. In some cases, premature hair loss can be linked with extended demodex folliculorum activity.
*Acne. Forms include pimples, pustules, papules, popular eruption etc.
*Itching eye lashes. Many times the eyelashes are thinning and falling out.
*Itching eye brows.
*Excess facial oils.
*Demodedic rosacea.
**NOTE THIS LIST HAS BEEN SHORTENED & COMPILED**
6. Is there treatment?
Yes, there is treatment for the mites go to
Demodex Solutions to view available products.
Because I am all for finding a solution to my hair loss at any cost, I purchased what they call DS lotion a shampoo is also available.
& just in case after all it is Seborrheic Derm. I also ordered
from
Ensibo the shampoo is called Follicleanse and it claims to be all natural it comes with a conditioner and scalp lotion, you can also check out
Healthy Hair Plus for other bacteria fighting products or any other hair & scalp conditions you may be experiencing.
biopsy on my scalp to make sure that my diagnosis of porokeratosis was correct, I go tomorrow to remove the stitch, so stay tuned for an update. (my husband & grand baby :) 
biopsy on my scalp to make sure that my diagnosis of porokeratosis was correct, I go tomorrow to remove the stitch, so stay tuned for an update. (my husband & grand baby :) 
I am a city bus driver, so a young dude all thugged out comes up & ask are those locks?
I love my husband we have been together for 3 years married for 2 years, my family who are truly The Addam's Family if you don't know them google it .
