Clear Skin vs. Demodex Mites
You may have noticed while surfing acne message boards that there are sometimes claims that tiny mites living in your skin are the real cause of acne. These claims are usually exaggerated and overly broad about both mites and acne, but there is some truth in them. Namely, that most people do share the real estate of their skin with tiny insects called demodex mites.
The thought that you might have tiny insects living inside your skin and hair might seem unpleasant, but it’s estimated that as much as 96-98% of people carry demodex mites. And with up to 25 mites living inside a single hair follicle, this can add up to a rather huge insect population we carry around with us. Thankfully, most of the time these mites remain harmless and unobserved.
The problem occurs when demodex mite populations become unusually high. In these cases, some scientists believe the high presence of mites is linked to skin problems and even hair loss. That is not to say that we know mites cause these problems. Hormonal shifts are most likely the root cause, but as a result of those shifts, more of the steroids and oils that demodex mites feed off of are produced, therefore increasing the populations of mites in your skin. These high populations of mites may then contribute to skin conditions, creating a barrier to clear skin that cannot simply be washed away.
The link is most visible in cases of acne rosacea. High populations of demodex mites are five times as likely among acne rosacea patients as they are among patients of the more common acne vulgaris. Signs of a dramatic increase of mites (called demodicosis) include itchiness and irritation. Although a link with thinning hair has not been confirmed, it seems apparent among other animals such as dogs that suffer from demodicosis.
While normal washing does little to eliminate demodex mites, their populations can be decreased through the use of antibiotics. One of the most effective treatments is the use of metronidazole cream, which is available with a prescription. Seeing a dermatologist is a good place to start if your skin is frequently itchy and you feel that demodicosis may be contributing to your acne. However, don’t get too bothered over the mere idea that there are insects living in your skin follicles. In the vast majority of cases, demodex mites live harmlessly in balance with their human host.
PS: It should also be noted that since demododex mites feed off of skin oil (sebum), reducing excess skin oil via vitamin B5 acne treatment can help keep populations of demodex mites in check.
