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Skin Diseases and Disorders

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 20, 2026

In Vivo Confocal Microscopy: A Standard Operating Procedure for the Detection of Demodex Mites at the Eyelid Margin

In Vivo Confocal Microscopy: A Standard Operating Procedure for the Detection of Demodex Mites at the Eyelid Margin

Published on: July 3, 2025

Demodex mites.

Carly A Elston¹, Dirk M Elston²

¹The Commonwealth Medical College, Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Clinics in Dermatology

|December 3, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Demodex mites, commonly found in human hair follicles, are increasingly linked to skin conditions. Evidence suggests Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis play a role in various human skin eruptions.

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Area of Science:

Dermatology
Microbiology
Parasitology

Background:

Demodex mites are common inhabitants of human hair follicles.
Demodex folliculorum typically resides in facial skin follicles, while Demodex brevis is found in sebaceous glands, predominantly on the trunk.
While known to cause mange in animals, their role in human disease has been debated.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the evidence regarding the role of Demodex mites in human skin diseases.
To differentiate the typical locations and presentations of Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis in humans.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on Demodex mites and human skin conditions.
Analysis of mite distribution and association with specific dermatoses.

Main Results:

Demodex mites are frequently found on human skin.
Evidence supports the involvement of Demodex mites in acneiform eruptions, folliculitis, and skin issues in immunocompromised individuals.

Conclusions:

Demodex mites are implicated in several human skin diseases.
Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the pathogenic potential of Demodex mites.