by 
The Curious Bag
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Demodex mites are tiny little parasites that live in or around hair follicles in mammals, including humans. They are commonly found on dogs and on the faces of adult humans.
Appearance
Demodex mites, also known as demodicids, are less than 0.4mm long, are shaped like a worm and have tiny stumps for legs.
Feeding
Mites stick their heads down in hair follicles or sebaceous glands and eat the secretions and dead skin that they find there using their sharp, needlelike mouth.
Life Cycle
Females lay up to 25 eggs in a hair follicle. The mites grow in the hair follicle until mature, when they find a new follicle to lay their eggs. This takes about 14 to 18 days.
Demodectic Mange
All dogs raised by their mother for the first couple months have demodex mites, according to Mar Vista Animal Medical Center's website. Some develop a skin rash as a result of the mites called demodectic mange. If it is localized, it is not necessary to treat the condition.
Acne
Demodex mites are known to cause inflammation when many of them are in a hair follicle. Professor Zhao Zhongzhou believes the mites are the sole cause of acne and has developed an ointment to treat acne for demodex mites, according to the Demodex Solutions website.
Source:
Worsley School: Eyelash Creatures
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