Mites eat, drink, defecate and urinate in your eyes. Do you care?

If you don't dry your quilt for a day, mites will sleep with you

When talking about mites, the first thing that comes to mind is that mites grow on quilts and pillows, right? How can mites grow in the eyes? In fact, there are many types of mites. The mites that grow in the eyes are called Demodex.

What are Demodex mites?

Ocular Demodex is a parasite that likes to live in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of the eyes, destroying the microenvironment of the eye surface, causing eye inflammation, which leads to blockage and even atrophy of the meibomian glands. Blockage and atrophy of the meibomian glands lead to insufficient secretion of meibum, which naturally makes the eyes feel dry.

How to determine whether there are eye mites?

1. Abnormal eyelashes:

Lipid cuff-like secretions can be seen surrounding the base of the eyelashes, and are often accompanied by inverted eyelashes, disordered eyelashes, sparse eyelashes, missing eyelashes, and even bald eyelashes.

2. Eyelid inflammatory reaction:

Eyelid congestion and hypertrophy, capillary dilation and epithelial keratinization, long-term inflammatory response can lead to irregular eyelid margin and even ectropion or inversion of the eyelid.

3. Meibomian gland abnormalities:

Fat plugs can be seen at the openings of the meibomian glands, and the characteristics of meibomian secretions are abnormal. Some patients may also have chalazion.

4. Skin lesions:

Some patients may also have facial acne, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, etc.

Demodex control

Dr. Chen Xiangxi, secretary of the Cornea and Ocular Surface Group of Aier Eye Hospital Group, deputy chief physician, and deputy director of the Ocular Surface and Corneal Disease Department, said that although Demodex is terrible, it can be effectively prevented by mastering the correct methods. It mainly starts from the following aspects:

1. Get plenty of sun

Mites like humid and warm environments. Open doors and windows frequently to keep ventilation and light, and dry clothes and quilts frequently. Expose them to the sun for half an hour can kill many mites.

2. Wash clothes frequently

If the water temperature is 25℃ and the washing is done with ordinary washing powder for 5 minutes, a lot of mites can be removed. If the temperature is higher than 55℃ for 10 minutes, most of the mites can be killed.

3. Pay attention to your diet

Eat less spicy and greasy food, lead a healthy and regular life and diet, and stay up late less.

4. Pay attention to personal hygiene

Wash your hands frequently and do not rub your eyes with your hands. When washing your face every day, clean your eyelids and eyelash roots carefully. If you wear makeup, remove it more thoroughly and cleanly.

Dr. Chen Xiangxi reminds: If you experience unexplained recurring symptoms such as red eyes, itchy eyes, and eyelash loss, you should go to the hospital for diagnosis, examination, and treatment in time.