Did you know: Under the skin of your face, hundreds of 'microscopic' bugs live leisurely?

There are hundreds of Demodex, or eyelash beetles, living in different areas of the human face. During the day they hide well, at night they crawl to the surface of human skin to mate and lay eggs.

Michelle Trautwein, an entomologist at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco (USA), said Demodex got its name from the Greek words for "fat" and "dull beetle", but they are not really. bugs, but spiders.

Usually this spider is quite fat and has 8 legs, about 0.3mm long, the size is difficult to detect with the naked eye.

Most Demodex is found in areas prone to sebaceous glands of the human body, because these are places with wide pores, making it easy for them to hide. At the same time, sebum is also Demodex's food to help this spider create a protective layer for the body.

According to the website of the non-profit organization NPR, most places prone to sebaceous glands such as the wings on the sides of the nose, eyebrows, hairlines or even the genitals also have the appearance of this spider.

Video about the existence of Demodex bugs on human faces

Michelle Trautwein said Demodex live about 2 weeks, most of the time they hide in pores and will crawl to the surface of human skin when we go to sleep to mate and lay eggs.

It is for this reason that the number of Demodexes that increase each night is very significant, and because they "hide" under the pores, they are very difficult to destroy through washing the face.

According to the non-profit organization NPR's website, some studies have linked Demodex bugs to rosacea, a disease that causes facial skin to appear red, acne-prone, and even pus-filled.

They also cause Demodex dermatitis, a disease that causes skin allergies, acne and is spread easily through kissing, rubbing cheeks or sharing towels.

"Portrait" of Demodex beetle living on human face

To limit the spread and existence of Demodex on the face, the American WebMD health website says that you can wash your face daily with warm water, apply warm compresses to reduce swelling of acne areas as well as to clean and clear clean eyelashes.

In addition, each person should use a skin gel to wash their face twice a day and dry with a towel intended for personal use only.

Still, Ms. Trautwein said there's no need to worry too much because "Demodex appears on almost all of us, some Demodex is also beneficial for the skin". 

"They have a close relationship with humans since ancient times, and stick with them almost for the rest of their lives," she added.