Imagine a world where bugs come out of your eyelash follicles at night to feast on the skin around your eyes. Unfortunately, this isn’t the plot of a horror movie, it’s the story of a very common infestation that occurs in up to 50% of people!
This little bug is actually a mite called Demodex. There are at least 65 different species of Demodex, but only two, Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis are found on the human body. Demodex hide from the light in hair follicles (including eyebrow hair and eyelashes) during the day and come out at night to feed on dead skin cells and sebum. Each demodex has a life cycle of approximately 2 to 3 weeks, and during this time, the female will lay 15-20 eggs, so a small population can multiply quickly. Although about 90% of the human population is a carrier of Demodex, only 33-50% of people will have enough of an overgrowth to cause symptoms and require treatment. Some people are more susceptible to overgrowth than others. Factors like increased age, presence of acne or rosacea, autoimmune disorders and even having eyelash extensions can make you more likely to have problems from Demodex. Demodex have nothing to do with being “unclean,” you can have great hygiene and still suffer from Demodex.
What are the symptoms of demodex infestation?
Itchy eyes, redness, burning, foreign body sensation or watery eyes are common symptoms of Demodex. You also might notice crusting along the eyelashes or red or swollen eyelids. You can even experience blurred vision as Demodex can disrupt the tear film required for clear, consistent vision. Demodex also make eyelashes brittle and more easily breakable, so you may find signs of missing eyelashes. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor for a microscopic evaluation to find out if you have Demodex.
How can I avoid them?
Wash your face before bed. A clean face gives Demodex less oil to feed on. The oils in makeup can be good breeding grounds for Demodex, so make sure not to sleep in your makeup. Demodex is contagious if your eyelashes are in close enough contact to a source. This means they can be transferred by sharing makeup. Avoid sharing makeup as well as be cautious of makeup testers in stores. Sharing bedding and pillows with someone who has a Demodex overgrowth can also transmit the mites, so be sure to wash your bedding often.
Uh-Oh! I have Demodex! How can I get rid of them?
Luckily, Demodex is fairly inexpensive to treat. However, because of the life cycle of the mite, you will need to be consistent with your treatment for at least six weeks, possibly longer. There are in office treatments such as Zest and BlephEx (both available at Rio Eyecare) that help remove the debris from the base of the lashes quickly, and at-home therapy follows to get rid of any remaining eggs. There are several products available that contain tea tree oil which kills Demodex. Unfortunately, tea tree oil can cause stinging which some people cannot tolerate. Another product line called Zocular effectively kills Demodex while being more gentle around the eye. Since no two infestations are the same, consult with your doctor on which protocol may work best for you.
