Demodicosis

Demodex are small parasitic mites that live in depths of sebaceous glands and near the hair follicles. Demodex can be found in humans as well as in animals. Total of 65 different species of demodex mites are known but only three of them (Demodex folliculorum, Demodex brevis and Demodex canis) live in humans. Other species of demodex mites live in animals.

For the first time, demodex mites (Demodex folliculorum) were identified in 1842. Demodex folliculorum lives near or in the hair follicles. The second type of demodex mites, the Demodex brevis was first identified as a separate species in 1963. Demodex brevis lives in sebaceous glands. Both types of demodex mites can be found on the face, around the nose, eyelashes, eyebrows, and may also appear in other parts of the body - head demodicosis. Demodex canis, the third type of demodex mites, although rarely but can be found in humans as well.

The size of an adult Demodex follikulorum only 0.3 mm - 0.4mm in length. Tick Demodex Brevis (Demodex brevis) is even smaller. The body of demodex is covered with tiny shells which allow the mites to stay in the hair follicles. Demodex mites have sophisticated digestive system which allows them to eat sebum deposited in the hair follicles.The demodex can also leave the hair follicle and stay on the skin surface, move around with speed about 8-16 sm / hour. They don't like the daylight therefore move only at night. Female mites are shorter and rounder compare to males. Demodex mites live very short life - only few weeks. During this time they lay eggs in depths of hair follicle and sebaceous gland. New mites usually born withing 3-4 days and the old demodex die decomposing in the hair follicles or sebaceous glands.

Our immune system can controll the "population" of demodex mites but sometimes, for differents reasons, the demodex start multiplying uncontrollably. Uncontrolled growth and presence in large number of one or all three types of mites demodex in humans may lead to the skin disease, often resembled in its symptoms to rosacea or acne. This disease called demodicosis.

Demodex, living and multiplying on the face, near sebaceous glands and deep in hair follicles, can be found on the head and in hair follicles of the head. Chemical based products, antibiotics and hormones must be avoided as part of the treatment of demodicosis. Our web site has two - most effective, natural products created to treat demodicosis. The detailed information on cream DEMODEXIN can be found here. If you need a shampoo to get rid of head demodicosis, go here to read more about natural shampoo DEMODEX.