Do you think your face is yours alone? Think again! They are also throwing a microscopic party and the guests are demodex mites. Before you cringe in horror, let me assure you that most of the time these tiny tenants are harmless and even helpful. They’re like your skin’s silent caretakers, gobbling up dead skin cells and excess oil. Pretty cool right?
Now let’s dive into this little world. Barely visible to the naked eye, the Demodex mite spends most of its life sneaking around in your pores, only emerging at night for a little latenight fun. Yes, they crawl all over your face in search of mates and then crawl back into your pores to lay their eggs. And you thought your evening routine wasn’t hectic!
Here you can see the Demodex’s two distinct body halves at one end, the eight legs near its mouth, and at the other end, longer and thinner, made up of its gastrointestinal organs and genitals.
But don’t feel too special, because these mites are not unique to us. They have lived in mammals since the beginning of time. Michelle Trautwein, an entomologist at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, says, “They’re not just inside us; occur in all mammals. So they first evolved into primitive mammals and formed their species as mammals formed their species.”
This microscopic novel was brought to light by James Weiss, a scientist who found a blackhead on his forehead. A busy community of Demodex mites was revealed under the microscope.
What to do with Demodex?
Here comes the real shock: There isn’t much you can or should do to get rid of these mites. They are part of the balance of our skin. As Bruce Robinson, a New Yorkbased dermatologist, puts it, “There is harmony in the skin, good bacteria and microorganisms, and disrupting that harmony can create other problems.”
Of course, the thought of dust mites clinging to your face might give you goosebumps. But in a way, the Demodex is a testament to the beauty and complexity of nature. We are all part of this intricate web of life, from the smallest mite to the tallest tree. So the next time you look in the mirror, remember that you are more than just human. They are a walking, talking ecosystem.
Still curious? Check out the video linked below (audio option in Portuguese). It’s a microscopic journey not to be missed. It’s a reminder that life in all its diverse forms is truly a miracle and that we are all connected in ways that we don’t always see or understand. So let’s celebrate our fellow Demodex, our skin’s unsung heroes. They may not be the guests we asked for, but they are the guests we have.
EditorinChief of Mistérios do Mundo since 2011. I like to travel, enjoy good music and read. It won the Digital Influencer Award in the Oddities category.