A new study revealed that face mites are present on every human's face, and this is where they live, mate, and die.
Face mites belong to the Demodex species that thrive in hair follicles of mammals. There are two species that are common in humans: Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis. They are mostly found on the face, near the nose, eyelashes, eyebrows, and anywhere else in the body.
Researchers from North Carolina University initiated a study to find out how common face mites are on human faces. Study leaders Megan Thoemmes and Rob Dunn worked with their colleagues to collect human DNA from around the world. The team searched for the DNA imprints of the facial mites, ones left behind when they die. The DNA imprints provided insight as to where exactly in the face the mites once thrived.
The DNA analysis revealed that face mites were present on almost all samples they collected, regardless of the ethnicity and tribe, including Europeans, Asians, and even Eskimos. The researchers examined the DNA of 253 volunteers; 14 percent of them had actual face mites, while the rest had traces of the parasite on their skin.
"People act grossed out at first, but they get excited when they see the mites under the microscope," Thoemmes told the National Geograophic.
Aside from establishing the presence of facial mates, the findings of the study also showed that the Demodex is not as diverse as previously thought. Their DNA diversity remained relative, regardless of the location.
However, the team noted differences between the two species of Demodex. D. brevis prefers to live deep in the human pores, while the D. folliculorum thrives in the shallower parts of the face and jumps from one host to another.
Further details of this study were published in the Aug.29 issue of PLOS One.
