Human follicle mite

Human skin, specifically within hair follicles and sebaceous (oil) glands on the face (nose, forehead, cheeks, and chin).

They feed on skin cells and sebum (natural oils) produced by the skin.

They are nocturnal, emerging from follicles at night to crawl across the skin surface to mate. They reside deep in the pores and lack an anus, storing waste until they die. Their life cycle is approximately 14 to 18 days.

Generally considered harmless commensals and part of the normal human microbiome. However, overpopulation can lead to skin conditions like demodicosis, blepharitis, or exacerbate rosacea symptoms, causing redness, itching, and scaling.