At the end of a long day, many people find solace in the act of going to bed, ready to recharge for the next day’s activities.
While numerous sleep specialists emphasize the importance of creating an ideal sleeping environment, it’s interesting to note that even during sleep, we are not entirely alone.
Every night, countless eight-legged mites make their way across your face, becoming uninvited guests in your slumber.
Fortunately, these tiny creatures, known as demodex mites, are invisible to the naked eye and cannot be felt. However, they are present all over the body.
These microscopic parasites inhabit the outer regions of hair follicles, thriving on the oily substances they find there.
According to Alejandra Perotti, a professor specializing in invertebrate biology at the University of Reading, UK, “While we are sleeping, they come out and are very happy, mating, visiting relatives, walking on our faces. The moment we wake up, they go back inside the pore.”
This might sound unsettling to some, but as reported by CNN, there’s no cause for concern.
Demodex mites help by clearing away debris from your pores, and they are equipped to endure the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which could otherwise harm their DNA.
In return for their cleaning services, these mites benefit from the melatonin produced by the skin, a hormone that aids in sleep and provides them with energy to flourish.
Although these tiny organisms can occasionally lead to problems, there are measures you can take to prevent any issues.
US physician Dr. Dan Friederich, renowned for offering guidance on eye care and other health matters, shared insights in a widely-viewed video.
Dr. Friederich noted that he can often deduce whether someone sleeps with their pet based on the presence of parasites in their eyelashes.
“There is a common mite called Demodex that we see in the eyelashes that is a parasite. And the minute I see it in someone’s eyes, the first question I ask is, ‘do you sleep with your dog at night?’,” he stated.
He also pointed out a frequent reason for these parasites appearing in eyelashes and advised, “Don’t sleep with your animals if you can help it.”