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Do eyelash mites poop?

Yes, eyelash mites do poop. Eyelash mites, also known as Demodex, are tiny mites that live in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of humans. While Demodex mites are harmless and exist naturally on healthy adult humans, their waste products can cause issues if they build up in large amounts.

What are eyelash mites?

Eyelash mites are microscopic arachnids that are related to spiders and ticks. There are two species that live on humans:

  • Demodex folliculorum – Lives in the hair follicles
  • Demodex brevis – Lives in the sebaceous glands that produce oil/sebum

These mites are found on the face near hair follicles, especially around the eyelashes and eyebrows. They feed on skin cells and oils in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

Do eyelash mites poop? What does their poop contain?

Yes, eyelash mites do produce waste, just like all living organisms. Their poop is made up of:

  • Digested sebum and skin cells
  • Excretory products like guanine
  • Eggs – Female mites lay eggs as they migrate

In healthy adults, eyelash mite populations are kept under control by the body’s immune system and their poop is easily washed away by tears. But if their populations boom, the waste builds up.

Can eyelash mite poop be harmful?

An overgrowth of eyelash mites and their waste is linked to some medical conditions:

  • Blepharitis – Eyelid inflammation and irritation caused by excess mite waste buildup.
  • Dry eyes – Mite secretions may irritate eyes and cause dryness.
  • Styes – Blocked oil glands due to excess mite populations can lead to styes.
  • Rosacea – Mites found on the face are linked to this chronic inflammatory skin condition.

The waste and secretions from large numbers of mites can clog hair follicles and oil glands on the eyelids and face, leading to irritation. The eggs can also trigger immune responses.

How to control eyelash mite poop buildup

To reduce eyelash mite waste buildup:

  • Clean eyelids daily with warm water – removes waste and eggs
  • Gently scrub eyelids with lid wipes – dislodges mite waste
  • Apply warm compresses – melts oil secretions and debris
  • Use tea tree oil – mites don’t tolerate this natural oil
  • Remove eye makeup before bed – reduces mites around eyelashes

If symptoms like irritation, inflammation, and dryness persist, see an eye doctor. They can look for signs of an overgrowth of mites and prescribe medicated lid scrubs or antibiotic ointments to treat blepharitis.

Conclusion

Eyelash mites are microscopic organisms that naturally live on the skin and produce waste like other living beings. An accumulation of their poop around the eyes can lead to issues like blepharitis and dry eyes in some cases. Proper eyelid hygiene helps control their populations and minimize irritation from their waste. But if problems persist, an ophthalmologist can provide treatment to reduce mites and relieve symptoms.