Community identification
Human Eyelash Mite
Demodex folliculorum
- Order & Family
- Order: Trombidiformes; Family: Demodicidae
- Size
- 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Human skin, specifically within or near hair follicles and sebaceous (oil) glands on the face, eyelashes, and forehead.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on sebum (skin oils) and dead skin cells found within the follicles.
Behavior Patterns
They are nocturnal, emerging from follicles at night to move across the skin surface to find mates. They spend their entire life cycle on human skin, living for about two weeks.
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless (commensal) and help remove dead skin cells. However, high populations can cause skin irritation, itching, or conditions like blepharitis (eyelid inflammation) and rosacea.