The Secret Life of Face Mites
Human beings are never alone. Trillions of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi, and mites live on our body. They thrive on our skin, in our gut, inside our nostrils, throat and our reproductive parts. Don’t freak out yet! Most of them are helpful folks, aiding us in digestion, protecting us from invaders and even regulating our moods! Some may become harmful to us in certain conditions. But that’s a topic for another day. Today, let’s talk about the friendly mites that live on our cheeks, forehead, nose and eyelashes. Yes, it’s time to face the truth. Humans play host to hundreds of tiny mites that eat, excrete, reproduce and die on our face.
There are more than 48,000 species of mites, according to National Geographic and two of these species namely Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis live on our face. They are eight-legged and microscopic in size, measuring about 0.01 inches. They lead a peaceful life near the roots of the facial hair follicles of both men and women, hidden away inside the pores.
Why Reside on the Face?
Because of the easy access to their favourite sebum meal that is produced on our face. Sebum is produced by glands inside the pores, near the bottom of your hair follicles. Demodex mites seek out this greasy meal by burrowing into those pores. They also feed on the dead cells on the face. They live for just about two weeks. They eat, mate and die. They sleep by day and crawl out at night to the surface to find their mates.
Why don’t we see them? Not only are they too tiny to be spotted, they are also transparent. Scientists have studied them under a microscope and have found that both types of demodex mites have long transparent bodies and look almost similar, however, the D. brevis type is slightly smaller. Their bodies are covered in scales, which help them attach to hair follicles. While a D. folliculorum mite is found inside hair follicles, D. brevis take a deep dive into the sweat glands.
How Were They Discovered?
In 1841, German dermatologist, Gustav Simon, was looking at acne spots under a microscope. He was shocked to notice the movement of worm-like ‘objects’. Further study confirmed that they were mites. In 1942, Richard Owen gave the mites the name ‘Demodex’ meaning ‘boring worm’.
Should You Be Worried?
The mites are rare in babies, more common in teenagers, and universal in adults. Scientists have found that adults, irrespective of ethnic and geographical background, play host to these mites. These mites cannot be eliminated by washing your face or giving it a vigorous scrub. In fact, there is no need to do so. Demodex are considered commensal organisms, which means they reside on the body’s surface without causing harm, and not parasites. They help us in keeping our pores unclogged! However, it is possible, in rare cases, to have an infestation of them, mostly in people with weak immune systems.
Going Extinct
Scientists recently sequenced the genomes of D. folliculorum mites, collected from a person’s nose and forehead using a blackhead remover. They found that mites survive on a minimum repertoire of proteins. Due to inbreeding, they are also experiencing gene loss. Further, they don’t appear to transfer between adult humans during close physical contact. Scientists infer that the mites are on course for an evolutionary dead end and potential extinction. If this happens, we’ll lose a good friend who kept our skin supple and healthy!