Rosacea
Guides
Demodex
Mammalian Follicle Mites, Eyelash Mites, Face Mites
Demodex is a genus of microscopic mites that inhabit hair follicles and sebaceous glands of mammals. Approximately 65 species are known, with two species—D. folliculorum and D. brevis—occurring on humans. These mites are typically commensal, causing no symptoms in healthy hosts, but can proliferate and cause skin conditions when host immunity is compromised. The genus exhibits strong host specificity, with mite lineages tracking host ancestry across generations.