Eyelash Mites: Causes and Treatments to Reduce Eyelash Mites

What is an Eyelash Mite?

The eyelash mite or the Demodex folliculitis is a parasite found in the follicles of our faces, mainly, in the nose, cheeks and most especially the eyelash area.

Eyelash mites are usually harmless, and most people live their day to day lives without being bothered by the fact that a worm-like parasite is currently feeding off his or her oils^[1].

Anyone can have it although babies are born with absolutely no parasites on them, Healthy Body Daily has found that older people are more prone to having eyelash mites because their immune system is weaker allowing an easy entry for bacteria and according to recent estimates over eighty percent of Americans have parasites.

These parasites usually are positioned face down into the hair follicle, and they feed off waste material and build up from our faces.

These little critters will not do anybody any harm. According to the study, some scientists have even concluded that there is somewhat of a symbiotic relationship between eyelash mites and human beings. ^[2].

They claim that eyelash mites remove dirt and oil from our follicles and in turn, we let them live on our faces.

Even when the number of eyelash mites is found to be too high, but the patient is not suffering from any side effect, doctors tend to leave it alone.

However, in cases where the number of Demodex Mites are too high (this phenomenon is called demodicosis), and it is coupled with your eyelash area becoming irritated, infected and inflamed, it is important to have a doctor check this out immediately. ^[3]

Also, it was found that although usually more than one eyelash mite is found in a single follicle, too many of them would cause the demodex eyelashes to fall out.

What are the Causes?

Although everyone has eyelash mites, and they are just part of how our beautiful ecosystem works, demodicosis, is not part of this natural process.

Demodicosis is the name for the phenomenon where there are too many eyelash mates on the face causing it to become infected and particularly in the eyelash area, the eyelashes fall out.

Demodicosis is usually present in people who secrete too much all or even in women who put on loads of makeup every night. What worsens this situation is when you fail to wash your face before going to sleep at night!

According to Dr. Oz (of The Oprah Show fame), 50% of Americans have eyelash mites as a result of sleeping in eye makeup.

It is always important to maintain proper hygiene and to always remember to wash your face before dozing off. Eye makeup can be a source of bacteria.

Mascara specifically is known to be a possible breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Always remember to wash your makeup brushes and to use clean mascara wands in order to avoid the overpopulation of eyelash mites in the eyelash area.

What are the Precautions?

As was previously mentioned, paying close attention to your hygiene is essential. Always remember to wash your face before going to bed.

Throw away the old mascara and eye makeup. Having pets (especially those that sleep with you in bed) checked for eyelash mites can also save you from demodicosis.

Eyelash mites and human beings have a sort of give and take relationship. Eyelash mites remove harmful dirt and oils from our faces.

The only downside is when due to poor hygiene, your face becomes somewhat of a feast of dirt and oils for these eyelash mites.

This could lead to a situation where too many eyelash mites are eating off a single follicle.

Not only will this infect your demodex eyes, but it can cause a severe loss of eyelashes. Always remember to keep your face free of any dirt before hitting the sack.

Has Ques About Eyelash Mites – Must Watch Video

Treatment for Eyelash Mites

Treatment for Eyelash Mites

How to get rid of Eyelash Mites? When it is already too late for precautionary measures, and you are now infested with eyelash mites, it is always important to keep your eyelash area clean.

Here are some tips to help you get rid of eyelash mites.

• Use a no-tear baby soap to wash your face twice a day
• You can also use tea tree products such as shampoos and facial washes
• Also, apply a couple of drops of tea tree oil to the lashes
• Avoid using makeup for at least two weeks
• When it’s time to use makeup again, buy new ones. Your previous makeup kit could have been exacerbating your situation
• Have your spouse checked for demodicosis
• Also, have your animals checked. Dogs can also be vulnerable to eyelash mites
• Buy new clean sheets and pillows

The reason that it is important to buy new makeup, sheets and pillows are so that you can avoid a situation where you are re-infecting yourself with eyelash mites left on your old makeup brushes and your old clothes.

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3 Sources

We review published medical research in respected scientific journals to arrive at our conclusions about a product or health topic. This ensures the highest standard of scientific accuracy.

[1] Cox FE. History of human parasitology [published correction appears in Clin Microbiol Rev. 2003 Jan;16(1):174.]. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2002;15(4):595-612. doi:10.1128/CMR.15.4.595-612.2002
[2] What Are Eyelash Mites?: https://www.healthstatus.com/health_blog/eyes-contacts-lasik/what-are-eyelash-mites/
[3] Rather PA, Hassan I. Human demodex mite: the versatile mite of dermatological importance. Indian J Dermatol. 2014;59(1):60-66. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.123498

Donna Fisher

Donna is an award-winning health, wellness, and beauty writer based in Texas. She has also published eBooks and edited several other Read Full Bio