Eyelash lice: causes, symptoms and how to treat them

Have you ever heard of mites or lice attacking the lashes? Maybe most people have never heard of it. In fact, approximately 95% of people have had lice on their lashes without realizing it. Eyelash lice, also known as Demodex folliculorum, are parasites found in your facial hair follicles. These lice can be found on the nose, cheeks, and especially on the eyelash area. Therefore, this parasite is also called mites or eyelash lice.

What are lice lice (eyelash mites)?

Demodex is a lice that lives on the skin, especially in the oil glands and hair follicles. The life cycle of these eyelash mites is very short, even their bodies do not have the organs to remove waste matter or toxins from their own bodies.

Eyelash mites live by eating bacteria present on human skin. Then the mites or fleas will lay eggs and die within two weeks of hatching. These mites usually live in and around the lashes, and often cause no symptoms at all. However, when there are too many of them, symptoms of inflammation around your lashes appear.

What causes eyelash lice?

The appearance of lice lice is not solely caused by dirty or unclean habits. From the research that has been done, it was found that women who frequently wear mascara (eyelash makeup) tend to have more mites or lice on their lashes. In addition, sharing mascara with other people can also pass the mites or lice to other people. Sleeping with eye make-up is also a cause of an increase in the number of eyelash mites.

What are the possible symptoms?

Often times, mites or lice on the lashes cause no symptoms. However, you still need to recognize the symptoms that may arise, such as those listed below.

Redness and swelling of the skin
Clogged pores, which can cause pimples and blackheads
The skin in the eye area is reddish, like a rash
Itching and burning sensation
Hair or eyelashes fall out

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, see your doctor immediately to see if there are lice on your skin or lashes. Your doctor will examine it histologically under a microscope to make a definite diagnosis.

How to treat it?

Remedies and precautions that can be taken in your home include:

Use baby shampoo on hair and lashes every day
Clean your face using facial cleanser up to two times a day
Avoid using oil-based facial cleansers (oil-based cleansers) and makeup the greasy one
Take care peeling face or exfoliating dead skin cells on the face regularly

Treatment with acaricides or pesticides that can kill parasites, including fleas, are intended to reduce the spread of fleas in excess and cure the symptoms they cause. These drugs must be as indicated and prescribed by a doctor, such as: