There are thousands of mites that normally live in the hair follicles or oil glands of mammals. Demodex is the most common and belongs to the family of eight-legged lice.
The commonly known species are Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis. Demodex folliculorum is found in hair follicles such as in the eyelashes or eyebrows while Demodex brevis is in the oil glands and other parts.
Demodex mites are not found in newborns. However, when using DNA analysis, the researchers who published their study in the journal PLOS ONE actually found that the adults who were the research subjects proved 100% to have signs of Demodex.
Demodex mites are small. D. folliculorum, about a third of a millimeter long, while D. brevis is less than a quarter of a millimeter long. They also carry various species of bacteria in their body.
A number of methods are used to detect mites directly. The best method is a skin biopsy involving a small amount of cyanoacrylate glue (superglue) on a microscope slide.
White-white cylinders around the infected hair are characteristic of the mite's habitat, judging from their life habits. Mites can also be removed from the follicles with an acne extractor.
Mites feed on skin cells and sebaceous oil, which they previously digested by secreting various enzymes. Since they don't have an anus, they regurgitate their waste products.
The mites take shelter in the follicular housing, then the mites mate and lay eggs after about 15 days of age. They die and decompose right in the follicle, as written by Science Alert, Wednesday (4/1/2023).
From this study, the stronger the recommendation not to share make-up equipment. This is done to avoid infection. In one study, the average survival time of Demodex on mascara was 21 hours. In addition, suggestions for cleaning the face with cleaning tools (face washing soap etc.) are also highly recommended to make mites reluctant to nest in the face.