Don’t freak out! These mites are friends that accompany you everywhere throughout the day. How? Well, they live on your face. Demodex mites, also known as Demodex folliculorum, are tiny creatures that live in human hair follicles and glands. They are often passed from mother to infant during breastfeeding and are estimated to be present in over 23% of healthy adults, as stated by Sleepopolis. Despite the initial alarm these microscopic creatures may provoke in people, their presence on human skin proves largely symbiotic. The benefits these critters bring to humans revolve around their ability to remove dead skin cells, which keeps the pores clean and free of clogs. Therefore, it is important to understand how they could potentially help us as well as hurt us.
According to Sleepopolis, having Demodex mites on your skin has one positive side to it: they clean up your skin. They function as a “microscopic cleanup crew,” feeding on dead skin cells and the oil in pores and hair follicles. The mites’ presence can aid in this process by putting their bodies in between the skin and the hairs. Then, they use their antennas to pick off all of the germs around your hair cells. As such, Demodex mites and human skin have a mutually beneficial relationship. The more we understand the intricacies of this relationship, the more we can appreciate the role Demodex mites play in keeping our skin healthy.wash their faces.
However, allowing Demodex mites to build up excessively on the skin can lead to potential problems and skin conditions. When there is an overpopulation of these mites, it can result in symptoms such as skin inflammation, irritation, and itching. In some cases, the rare infection known as demodicosis may occur, which can cause more severe symptoms including redness, swelling, and developing pustules or papules on the skin. This happens because of the overindulgence of pores, which causes the bugs to leave a small trace of their germs on your skin. Over time, this builds up around the eyebrow and nose. Maintaining a healthy skincare routine for your skin is important to avoid these potential issues and maintain optimal skin health.
The Demodex mites, despite their significance in maintaining skin health, are facing a potential threat of extinction. As reported, the mites’ genome is degrading, mostly due to environmental factors such as global warming or cold winters that shorten their lifespans. If these mites were to become extinct, there could be potential repercussions for human skin health. The absence of Demodex mites may disrupt the balance of microorganisms on the skin, making it more prone to acne and pimples. However, it is important to also consider the possibilities for evolution and adaptation that may arise in the absence of these mites, as the human host and other organisms might find alternative ways to maintain skin health.
Despite the potential problems that can arise from their overpopulation, the symbiotic relationship between humans and Demodex mites cannot be overlooked. Whether you fear the detriments the mites offer or are favorable towards their benefits, it is clear that human skin will not be the same without them.
