Researchers Say Tiny Bugs are All Over Your Face-Right Now

Before you all get paranoid, you need to read the whole story to understand what these mites are and what they can do to your face.

A recent research proves that there are indeed thousands of tiny mites crawling on a person’s face. No matter how distinctly clean and hygienic you are, you can never remove those tiny face mites crawling inside your pores.

Scientists 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.

Agencies/Canadajournal