What is the ecology of Demodex mites that live in human pores?
Mammalian skin, especially the face of many humans, is infested with mites called '
You might be surprised by what you'd find in your pores - M. Alejandra Perotti - YouTube
In 1841, while examining human earwax under a microscope, German anatomist Jacob Henry discovered a tiny insect that he later determined to belong to the mite group and named ' demodex .'
Demodex mites are present on the skin of many mammals, but the species varies from animal to animal. The two main species found on human skin are Demodex folliculorum, which lives in and around hair follicles, and Demodex brevis, which lives in the sebaceous glands.
The life cycle of Demodex mites is strongly linked to the life cycle of humans. When the sun goes down, the human body produces a hormone called melatonin, which is related to sleep. Melatonin acts as a stimulating signal for Demodex mites, so they become more active at night.
Active Demodex mites can move at speeds of up to 1cm per hour, moving across the surface of the face and lurking in pores. Studies have shown that each pore can house up to 14 Demodex mites.
Demodex mites are present on all human faces and can be transmitted to infants through skin contact. Demodex mites spend their entire lives parasitizing the inside of pores, and it was thought that as their numbers increased, they would cause inflammation in the host's skin. However, a 2022 study in which Perotti also participated found that this was different from the characteristic of parasites in that they reduce cell numbers early in development, and showed that they have less of an effect on skin inflammation. Therefore, the research team points out that 'Demex mites are changing from parasites to symbiotic organisms. Demodex mites have been criticized for many factors, but the long relationship between Demodex mites and humans may have given them a beneficial role.'
Demodex mites, which infest the human face, are evolving from parasites to symbiotic organisms - GIGAZINE
According to Perotti, when the immune system is abnormal or the number of Demodex mites is not well regulated and grows too much, it can lead to skin inflammation. However, for most people, Demodex mites are harmless. Also, since most people have the original strain of Demodex mites, research is also underway to learn about a person's ancestry by examining Demodex mites.
On the other hand, because the demodex mite group specific to each individual's face continues to reproduce, the overall genetic diversity is decreasing day by day. Therefore, Perotti points out the possibility that Demodex mites may become extinct due to some trigger. It is not known whether Demodex mites will actually become extinct or what will happen to the skin if they become extinct, but Perotti says that at least the fact that Demodex mites currently live on the face is normal and a sign of health.
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