Are your demodex eyelash mites out of control?

EYE AND SKIN PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MITES Blepharitis. “Blepharitis is the number one common disease associated with mites,” Tseng says. This inflammation of the eyelids, which typically

occurs as a result of a blockage in the oil glands at the base of the lashes, can be caused by an infestation. What's more, _Demodex_ mites carry bacteria and release it into the skin,

triggering irritation and inflammation on the lids that can lead to the signature symptoms: crusty lashes, itchiness in the surrounding skin, fluctuating blurry vision, and red, swollen,

watery eyes. (Making matters worse, the mites feed on the ensuing crusting, exacerbating the condition.) And the eggs that they lay at along the base of the lashes can lead to trichiasis

(misdirected lashes) or lash loss. Rosacea. _Demodex_ mites also frequently occur in greater numbers in those with rosacea, leading to flare-ups. In fact, people with the skin condition have

about 18 times more mites. “We're still trying to figure out the connection — whether _Demodex_ mites are the cause or result of rosacea,” Lam says. However, according to the National

Rosacea Society, “Evidence appears to be mounting that an overabundance of _Demodex_ may possibly trigger an immune response in people with rosacea, or that the inflammation may be caused by

certain bacteria associated with the mites." HOW TO HANDLE A POSSIBLE MITE OVERLOAD Demodex mites live in your eyelashes. Getty Images HYGIENE TIP Until you're rid of mites, ditch

your eye makeup, change your towels regularly, and keep bedding and pillowcases clean by washing them in hot water and drying them in a heated dryer. Also give family members and pets the

once-over to check for symptoms of an infestation. See your doctor if you experience possible symptoms of an outbreak. They can carefully remove individual lashes and look at them under a

microscope to see if there are mites stuck to the hair follicles. The most effective way to eliminate a mild infestation is daily eye hygiene. Clean the eye area twice a day, with warm water

and a gentle cleanser. Less-than-clean skin supplies mites with extra lipid nourishment, encouraging them to stick around and reproduce. “You don't necessarily have to kill the mites,

you just need to prevent the mites from mating,” Tseng says. “They will eventually die off.” Even better, pick up a package of eyelid wipes. The back-and-forth cleansing motion tends to be

more efficient in clearing away makeup, oil and other buildup on eyelids, says Lam, who prescribes Ocusoft lid scrubs to patients. Wrap one around your finger and lightly scrub along the

base of the top and bottom lashes, then rinse off. If you have a bout of blepharitis, apply a warm, moist washcloth over clean eyes for a few minutes every day. The warm moisture will make

it easier to wipe away crusty buildup and keep lids and lashes clean. It will also help reduce gland secretions, which bring on the bacteria that cause irritation. And the fewer secretions,

the fewer mites you'll have since they'll have less to feed on.