Here I have copied and pasted some news reports and journals that help build a picture of what demodex are actually doing and some of the symptoms. Remember we supposedly all have them, its only a problem if the body reacts, or if they over populate..... Links are at the bottom of each section. The first peice is the most informative I find. Reading this can make you feel itchy by the way! (imagine what doing a forum does!)
University of Florida Pest Alert news...
UF/IFAS News Release 04.23.2003
It's Enough To Make Your Skin Crawl: Microscopic Mites May Be Linked To Acne, Thinning Hair And Other Skin DisordersBy: Chuck Woods (352) 392-1773 x 281 Sources: Jerry Butler (352) 392-1901, ext. 152Dr. Frank Flowers (352) 265-8001
GAINESVILLE, Fla.--- You’re not alone. Most people have thousands -- probably millions -- of tiny bugs called mites living in their hair and on their skin. And now a University of Florida researcher says the microscopic mites may be linked to thinning hair, acne and other skin conditions. “Many people don’t like the idea of bugs living in their hair or on their skin, and some get really bent out of shape just thinking about it,” said Jerry Butler, a professor of entomology with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. “For some folks, it’s enough to make your skin crawl. And bathing won’t wash them off.” Known as the Demodex mite, the bug lives in the hair follicles of 96 percent to 98 percent of all people and feeds on oils, hormones and fluids around the follicle. Butler has counted as many as 25 mites in a single hair follicle. In his UF entomology class, Butler lets students examine oily samples from their own skin pores to learn how well the mites are thriving on their bodies. For most people, the itty-bitty bugs are harmless and live in balance with their human host, he said. Most people and animals have a tolerance for the mites without developing any skin conditions, but high populations can cause problems. “When something causes the mites to reproduce at a higher rate, they can break out of the hair follicle and may cause acne, hair loss and other skin conditions,” Butler said. “In some cases, the interaction with mites causes skin to actually slough off.” He said studies have shown the mini-mite is associated with many kinds of skin conditions, but most researchers are reluctant to conclude it’s a direct cause of those skin conditions. While Demodex may cause certain problems, it’s also possible certain skin conditions become a breeding ground for mites. Dr. Frank Flowers, a professor of dermatology at UF’s Health Science Center, said, “There is a tenuous link between Demodex, acne rosacea and folliculitis. However, no skin disease in humans has been conclusively linked with these mites.” Flowers said that one of the most effective treatments for these disorders is metronidazole cream. Butler, a veterinary medical entomologist who has studied mites on dogs, said people probably react to large numbers of mites in the same way as our canine friends. “Based on my experience with dogs, particularly young animals whose hormone and immune systems are not fully developed, you probably get similar results on people,” he said. “Populations can explode on dogs, causing mange-like symptoms. “The link between mites and hair loss and other skin conditions is not conclusive, but we do know it’s a major problem for dogs,” Butler said. “If you have high levels of hormones, you’re going to have high levels of mite reproduction because these anthropods obtain their steroids from the host.” Butler said Demodex poses the biggest threat to people under stress or those with cancer or other conditions such as HIV/AIDS that suppress the immune system. Mite colonies can spread unchecked because patients cannot produce the antibodies needed to control the parasites. “Under normal conditions, mites produce an antigen when they feed in a hair follicle, and then the human body makes antibodies against the bugs, thereby keeping their reproduction low and in balance,” Butler said. “The mites are actually needed to make the antigen that stimulates the body into making protective antibodies.” He said mites feed continuously inside the hair follicle. Three to five days are required for egg laying and hatching, followed by seven days for the larvae to develop into adults. Their total life span is probably several weeks. They’re transferred from host to host by contact, particularly in hair, eyebrows and tiny sebaceous glands on the nose. If you suspect that mites could be a problem in your hair or on your skin, see a dermatologist promptly, Butler said. Microscopic Demodex mite lives harmlessly in our hair and on our skin, feeding on oils, hormones and oils. For most people, the mites live in balance with their human host, but high populations may be linked to thinning hair, acne and other skin conditions. (Photo by Jerry Butler/University of Florida/IFAS)
http://pestalert.ifas.ufl.edu/acne.htm
Onjolph Ophthalmology jounals...
Demodex folliculorum in chronic blepharitisA. Jünemann--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (Chairman: Prof. Dr. G.O.H. Naumann) Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany Background and Purpose. The mite demodex folliculorum (Class Arachnida, Order Acarina), first described by Berger in 1841, can be found in the hair follicles of the eyelashes and of the contigous facial skin. The shorter species Demodex brevis inhabits meibomian and other sebaceous glands. The live cycle of the mite is 14 ½ days. The about 300µm long adult mite lives 5 to 6 days in the follicle of the eyelash or hair, can migrate on to the skin during night time (negative phototrop) by moving 1cm per hour. The classic clinical appearance are "sleeves", 1mm long cylindrical cuffs around the base of the eyelashes. The association of demodex with diseases like blepharitis, lid hyperemia, meibomitis, chalazion or rosacea is controversal discussed. Also the vector capacity of demodex for bacterial infections remains unclear. The incidence of demodex is age related. It was found up to 20 years in about 25%, up to 50 years in about 30%, up to 80 years in about 50% and in all aged 90 or older. In healthy persons, one can find one or more Demodex in every tenth eyelash. This index rise with increasing age. In blepharitis or other external eye diseases, demodex is found in about every sixth eyelash. Therapy of chronic blepharitis in association with demodex may include antibiotics, steroids, Quecksilber 2% or Lindan. Massage of lidmargins is essential because local treatment is of no effect as long as the mite remains deep in the pilosebaceous complex. Patient and Methods. A 54-year old man suffered from therapy resistent chronic blepharitis without improvement under therapy of antibiotics and/or steroids. Symptoms were itching, foreign body sensation and epiphora. There was anterior and posterior blepharitis with thickening and vasodilatation of the lid margins. On slitlamp examination, several "sleeves" at the base of eyelashes were detected. 6 eyelashes of the lower lid from both sides were epilated, transferred to a glass slide and promptly examined by lightmicroscopy.Results. Adharent to the hair bulb of several epilated eyelashes one or two Demodex folliculorum were seen. The video shows two mites, situated with the head downwards towards the root of the eyelash. One is located between the cuticula and Huxley’s layer. One can see the prosoma incorporating head and thorax (cephalothorax), provided with four pairs of legs, and the opisthosoma consisting of abdomen and tail. At the head, two lateral palps and a U-shaped formation, between the palps and behind a beak-shaped growth, move actively. The three telescopic segments of the legs move at intervals, frequently only one leg at a time. The tail moves up and down. The abdomen is filled up by granules and vacuole-like formations.Conclusion. Epilation of eyelashes and subsequent microscopic examination is an easy and effective method for detecting demodex folliculorum. Instead the role o the mite in diseases of ocular region is uncertain, Demodex should be considered in chronic therapy resistent blepharitis. Beside of "sleeves" gnawed and stunted, easely epilated eyelashes may be clinical signs for demodex folliculorum. The higher incidence of demodex may play a pathogenic role in ocular diseases.
http://www.onjoph.com/english/demodex-body.html
Eyeworld magazine...
Identifying symptoms of DemodexEarly morning itching and irritation is common with these mites because of their aversion to light, Dr. Safran said. “They come out at night and mate, lay their eggs on the lashes, and then crawl back into the follicle in the morning, causing the patient to itch,” he said. What makes the diagnosis of Demodex difficult is that some patients will have “a lot of Demodex, but no symptoms. I leave those people alone,” Dr. Safran said. “Other people have what appears to be an allergy to the mites causing severe itching and inflammation. These are the blepharitis patients that respond to Patanol (olapatadine, Alcon, Fort Worth, Texas), but it doesn’t cure them.”In patients with facial rosacea, “the pathogenesis of skin lesions has been speculated to be caused by an increasing density of mites, which trigger inflammatory or specific immune reactions, mechanically block the hair follicle, or act as a vector to bring in bacteria,” Dr. Tseng said.
http://www.eyeworld.org/article.php?sid=4381
University of Florida Pest Alert news...
UF/IFAS News Release 04.23.2003
It's Enough To Make Your Skin Crawl: Microscopic Mites May Be Linked To Acne, Thinning Hair And Other Skin DisordersBy: Chuck Woods (352) 392-1773 x 281 Sources: Jerry Butler (352) 392-1901, ext. 152Dr. Frank Flowers (352) 265-8001
GAINESVILLE, Fla.--- You’re not alone. Most people have thousands -- probably millions -- of tiny bugs called mites living in their hair and on their skin. And now a University of Florida researcher says the microscopic mites may be linked to thinning hair, acne and other skin conditions. “Many people don’t like the idea of bugs living in their hair or on their skin, and some get really bent out of shape just thinking about it,” said Jerry Butler, a professor of entomology with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. “For some folks, it’s enough to make your skin crawl. And bathing won’t wash them off.” Known as the Demodex mite, the bug lives in the hair follicles of 96 percent to 98 percent of all people and feeds on oils, hormones and fluids around the follicle. Butler has counted as many as 25 mites in a single hair follicle. In his UF entomology class, Butler lets students examine oily samples from their own skin pores to learn how well the mites are thriving on their bodies. For most people, the itty-bitty bugs are harmless and live in balance with their human host, he said. Most people and animals have a tolerance for the mites without developing any skin conditions, but high populations can cause problems. “When something causes the mites to reproduce at a higher rate, they can break out of the hair follicle and may cause acne, hair loss and other skin conditions,” Butler said. “In some cases, the interaction with mites causes skin to actually slough off.” He said studies have shown the mini-mite is associated with many kinds of skin conditions, but most researchers are reluctant to conclude it’s a direct cause of those skin conditions. While Demodex may cause certain problems, it’s also possible certain skin conditions become a breeding ground for mites. Dr. Frank Flowers, a professor of dermatology at UF’s Health Science Center, said, “There is a tenuous link between Demodex, acne rosacea and folliculitis. However, no skin disease in humans has been conclusively linked with these mites.” Flowers said that one of the most effective treatments for these disorders is metronidazole cream. Butler, a veterinary medical entomologist who has studied mites on dogs, said people probably react to large numbers of mites in the same way as our canine friends. “Based on my experience with dogs, particularly young animals whose hormone and immune systems are not fully developed, you probably get similar results on people,” he said. “Populations can explode on dogs, causing mange-like symptoms. “The link between mites and hair loss and other skin conditions is not conclusive, but we do know it’s a major problem for dogs,” Butler said. “If you have high levels of hormones, you’re going to have high levels of mite reproduction because these anthropods obtain their steroids from the host.” Butler said Demodex poses the biggest threat to people under stress or those with cancer or other conditions such as HIV/AIDS that suppress the immune system. Mite colonies can spread unchecked because patients cannot produce the antibodies needed to control the parasites. “Under normal conditions, mites produce an antigen when they feed in a hair follicle, and then the human body makes antibodies against the bugs, thereby keeping their reproduction low and in balance,” Butler said. “The mites are actually needed to make the antigen that stimulates the body into making protective antibodies.” He said mites feed continuously inside the hair follicle. Three to five days are required for egg laying and hatching, followed by seven days for the larvae to develop into adults. Their total life span is probably several weeks. They’re transferred from host to host by contact, particularly in hair, eyebrows and tiny sebaceous glands on the nose. If you suspect that mites could be a problem in your hair or on your skin, see a dermatologist promptly, Butler said. Microscopic Demodex mite lives harmlessly in our hair and on our skin, feeding on oils, hormones and oils. For most people, the mites live in balance with their human host, but high populations may be linked to thinning hair, acne and other skin conditions. (Photo by Jerry Butler/University of Florida/IFAS)
http://pestalert.ifas.ufl.edu/acne.htm
Onjolph Ophthalmology jounals...
Demodex folliculorum in chronic blepharitisA. Jünemann--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (Chairman: Prof. Dr. G.O.H. Naumann) Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany Background and Purpose. The mite demodex folliculorum (Class Arachnida, Order Acarina), first described by Berger in 1841, can be found in the hair follicles of the eyelashes and of the contigous facial skin. The shorter species Demodex brevis inhabits meibomian and other sebaceous glands. The live cycle of the mite is 14 ½ days. The about 300µm long adult mite lives 5 to 6 days in the follicle of the eyelash or hair, can migrate on to the skin during night time (negative phototrop) by moving 1cm per hour. The classic clinical appearance are "sleeves", 1mm long cylindrical cuffs around the base of the eyelashes. The association of demodex with diseases like blepharitis, lid hyperemia, meibomitis, chalazion or rosacea is controversal discussed. Also the vector capacity of demodex for bacterial infections remains unclear. The incidence of demodex is age related. It was found up to 20 years in about 25%, up to 50 years in about 30%, up to 80 years in about 50% and in all aged 90 or older. In healthy persons, one can find one or more Demodex in every tenth eyelash. This index rise with increasing age. In blepharitis or other external eye diseases, demodex is found in about every sixth eyelash. Therapy of chronic blepharitis in association with demodex may include antibiotics, steroids, Quecksilber 2% or Lindan. Massage of lidmargins is essential because local treatment is of no effect as long as the mite remains deep in the pilosebaceous complex. Patient and Methods. A 54-year old man suffered from therapy resistent chronic blepharitis without improvement under therapy of antibiotics and/or steroids. Symptoms were itching, foreign body sensation and epiphora. There was anterior and posterior blepharitis with thickening and vasodilatation of the lid margins. On slitlamp examination, several "sleeves" at the base of eyelashes were detected. 6 eyelashes of the lower lid from both sides were epilated, transferred to a glass slide and promptly examined by lightmicroscopy.Results. Adharent to the hair bulb of several epilated eyelashes one or two Demodex folliculorum were seen. The video shows two mites, situated with the head downwards towards the root of the eyelash. One is located between the cuticula and Huxley’s layer. One can see the prosoma incorporating head and thorax (cephalothorax), provided with four pairs of legs, and the opisthosoma consisting of abdomen and tail. At the head, two lateral palps and a U-shaped formation, between the palps and behind a beak-shaped growth, move actively. The three telescopic segments of the legs move at intervals, frequently only one leg at a time. The tail moves up and down. The abdomen is filled up by granules and vacuole-like formations.Conclusion. Epilation of eyelashes and subsequent microscopic examination is an easy and effective method for detecting demodex folliculorum. Instead the role o the mite in diseases of ocular region is uncertain, Demodex should be considered in chronic therapy resistent blepharitis. Beside of "sleeves" gnawed and stunted, easely epilated eyelashes may be clinical signs for demodex folliculorum. The higher incidence of demodex may play a pathogenic role in ocular diseases.
http://www.onjoph.com/english/demodex-body.html
Eyeworld magazine...
Identifying symptoms of DemodexEarly morning itching and irritation is common with these mites because of their aversion to light, Dr. Safran said. “They come out at night and mate, lay their eggs on the lashes, and then crawl back into the follicle in the morning, causing the patient to itch,” he said. What makes the diagnosis of Demodex difficult is that some patients will have “a lot of Demodex, but no symptoms. I leave those people alone,” Dr. Safran said. “Other people have what appears to be an allergy to the mites causing severe itching and inflammation. These are the blepharitis patients that respond to Patanol (olapatadine, Alcon, Fort Worth, Texas), but it doesn’t cure them.”In patients with facial rosacea, “the pathogenesis of skin lesions has been speculated to be caused by an increasing density of mites, which trigger inflammatory or specific immune reactions, mechanically block the hair follicle, or act as a vector to bring in bacteria,” Dr. Tseng said.
http://www.eyeworld.org/article.php?sid=4381
