As a Demodex consultant at Ungex, I frequently get questions from worried mothers about infesting their children with Demodex mites.
In this post, we will cover the topic of Demodex mites on children to provide answers for mothers who fear their children can get it. But first, let’s retake a brief look at Demodex mites and what they are:
What are Demodex mites?
As you may know by now, Demodex mites are 8-legged microscopic mites that live under hair follicles and in sebum glands of mammals. The two known species that live on humans – D. folliculorum and D. brevis – can contribute to common skin and hair issues including acne, rosacea, hair loss, blepharitis, hair thinning, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, unexplained itching and much more.
Are Demodex mites contagious?
If we want to answer in one word: Yes, they are. Through direct contact and the use of other people’s Items, Demodex mite can be transferred from one person to another. They cannot be transported by air, as they do not fly. Demodex mites crawl inside or on the surface of the skin and scalp. They hide under the surface of the skin during the day and resurface at night. As a result, they are mostly transferred from one person to another at night, making it very common for people in shared houses to be infected by these uninvited guests.
Now let’s emphasize the question at hand; “Are my children in danger of Demodex infestation?”
Children and Demodex mites
As mentioned above, Demodex mites can infest family members who share personal items and make physical contact. Teenagers are at risk of being infected if a member has high populations of Demodex. Still, this rule is not susceptible to children under the age of 5. Let’s find out why!
Why are children below the age of 5 less likely to be infested by Demodex mites?
Demodex mites are most common in people within the age group of 20 to 30 years. It is because their skin’s sebum levels are at their highest during this period. Children below five years of age have low sebum production, making it less likely for Demodex to be able to survive on their skin. [1]
Is Ungex Demodex test point to age of users who take the quiz?
Yes, if you have taken Ungex online Demodex test, you may have noticed this question:
As you can see, age is a fundamental factor in the population density of Demodex mites. Males and females below maturation age have the lowest range of Demodex mites. Still, as they continue to grow older, the populations can increase, especially in those with a weak immune system.
Some tips to avoid cross contamination of Demodex mites
To avoid the cross-contamination of Demodex mites to your family or children, here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:
- Avoid sharing personal items like towels, comb, pillows and bedsheets, clothes, and other items that come in contact with the skin or scalp.
- Make a habit out of washing your pillowcases and bed sheets more often. During the days you are unable to wash them, dry the fabrics under the sun during the daytime.
- Spray personal items with PDT, a powerful anti-Demodex solution.
- Wash yourself or your children more frequently with pure or filtered water.
How can Ungex help eliminate Demodex mites?
Ungex products not only have the right blend of natural and herbal ingredients that help kill Demodex mites, but they are also gentle on the skin for everyday use.
Some skin and hair care products can feed mites instead of killing them! For example, if you dilute tea tree oil with another cream, this serves as a food source for these mites and will do the opposite of eliminating them.
Ungex provides the correct product and care plan to ensure you are well on your way of becoming Demodex free!
References:
[1] Basta-Juzbašić, Aleksandra, Jasenka Škrlin-Šubić, and Suzana Ljubojević. “Demodex folliculorum in development of dermatitis rosaceiformis steroidica and rosacea-related diseases.” Clinics in dermatology 20.2 (2002): 135-140.
