Demodex folliculorum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Subphylum:	Arachnomorpha
Family:	Demodicidae
Genus:	Demodex
Species:	D. folliculorum[1]
Binomial name
Demodex folliculorum

Demodex folliculorum is a species of face mite. D. folliculorum is one of the parasitic face mites that occur on people (other than Demodex brevis). ^[1][2]

[edit] As Parasites

These parasites are found in the human hair follicles, normally found in greater numbers around the cheeks and forehead. Each follicle can have a small colony of mite (Commonly 10 mites per follicle). Their food is mainly sebaceous secretions and dead cells of our bodies, mainly the cytoplasm.^[2] They do not defecate on our skin, however they do reproduce on it.^[2]

Their life cycle last between 14 and 18 days. The female may lay around 25 eggs in the follicle.^[2]

[edit] Problems/Effects

The mites are common and are not hard to obtain; they are more common in the elderly. The bites can cause dermatitis and the presence of the parasite in the follicle can also cause hair loss as the mites release an enzyme that digests the oil generated by our sebaceous glands, obstructing the hair follicle.^[2]

[edit] References