To be the "closest" creature to humans, the "mite" must be on the list. Carpets, sofas, mattresses, and even human skin are their home.
Recently, a study in the American journal "Molecular Biology and Evolution" showed that the relationship between mites and humans may be further, and it may be able to "fit" with human skin.
Life Times combines research with experts to explain two common mites in life and teach you how to live in peace with them.
Experts interviewed
Yang Xichuan, chief physician of the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Southwest Hospital of the Army Military Medical University
Zhang Jianglin, chief physician of the Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University
Mites may "melt" into the skin
The new study from bangor university in the UK, the University of Reading and other institutions shows that miniature mites living in human pores may soon become one with humans due to their unusual and simple lifestyles.
Scientists for the first time parasitize mites parasitized human skin have been genetically sequenced and found that due to their isolated presence and the resulting inbreeding, they have been freed from unnecessary genes and cells, shifted from external parasitism to interior, and adapted to hidden life, becoming symbiotes with the human body.
With no exposure to external threats, no competitors, and no encounters with mites carrying other genes, the reduction in genes makes them extremely simple organisms. Genetic reductions cause these mites to be unable to withstand ultraviolet rays and can only act at night. Instead of producing melatonin, they use the melatonin produced by human skin to power their sleepless nights.
In addition, mites have more cells at a young age than in adulthood, which the researchers believe is exactly the first step for mites to become a human community.
Two kinds of mites accompany us the most
There are two types of mites that we come into contact with the most in our daily lives: demodex mites in the skin and dust mites in textiles.
Demodex mites
Food sources: Sebum secreted by the skin, exfoliated keratinocytes.
Habitual residence: the face, scalp, back and other places where sebaceous glands secrete vigorously.
Livable: Temperature 20 to 25 degrees.
Demodex mites are usually harmless to the human body, but when immunity is weakened or other bacterial infections are combined, it may also induce a local immune inflammatory response.
(Hair follicular demodex mite, male pictured above, female pictured below)
Mechanical, chemical stimulation
Mites grow and multiply in hair follicles and sebaceous glands, nibble on the mouthparts, crawl and crawl, excrete feces, mate and lay eggs, and rot and liquefaction after the death of adult worms, which will constitute certain mechanical and physical and chemical irritations to the skin, and easily aggravate the inflammation of the skin itself.
anaphylaxis
After death, demodex mites will excrete excrement on our skin at one time, these corpses and excrement are foreign bodies and xeno proteins for human skin tissue, and some people are prone to allergic reactions to them.
Pathogenic microbial infections
The mating of mites is carried out on the surface of the skin, so when the human demodex mites mate and the external environment of the skin changes significantly, such as too high and too low, it will crawl to the surface of the skin.
In this way, when mites enter and exit the pores, they can bring pathogenic microorganisms on the surface of the skin into the hair follicles and sebaceous glands, so that the skin shows symptoms of infection, such as redness, swelling, heat and pain, papules, etc.
Dust mites
Food sources: human dander, secretions, food scraps. Adults shed 0.5 grams to 1 grams of dander every day, which is a rich food source for dust mites.
Habitual residence: mattresses, plush toys, carpets, curtains and other places.
Livable: temperature 20 ~ 25 degrees; Humidity 70 to 75 degrees.
A Japanese experiment found that if you only have 30 mites in your bed in May, you will grow to 800 in June, 4,000 in July, and 10,000 in bed by August.
Not only the number of mites, but also the amount of excrement will also "surge". If there are 5400 excrement in May, as the number of mites increases, 1.8 million excreta will be produced by August.
The excrement and limb fragments of these mites are an important cause of skin and respiratory allergies, which can lead to chronic urticaria, allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis and other diseases.
There are 4 signs of being "attacked" by mites
itchy
Mites that parasitize in the hair follicles of the scalp continue to multiply and swim away, and burrow deep into the follicles, stimulating the scalp to produce an itching sensation. At the same time, the mites themselves carry a large number of bacteria, which can easily cause inflammation and can also cause itching.
oil
Mites feed on the oil secreted by the scalp, but also stimulate the scalp to continue to secrete a lot of oil. The scalp that is "scourgeed" by head mites can pick out a large amount of lipid "white mud" without washing it in a day.
pox
A large number of mites, metabolic waste and excessive secretion of oil block the pores, resulting in "acne". Worse, staphylococcus or streptococcus may be carried by mites from the surface of the skin into the follicles causing folliculitis.
take off
Hair follicles that are blocked by mite infestation do not provide enough nutrients to the hair, resulting in a thinner and brittle hairstyle; At the same time, mites also nibble on hair and damage the roots, eventually causing hair loss.
Learn to live peacefully with mites
Do not blindly believe in the market to sell a variety of mite soap, mite skin care products, mite removal equipment, etc., it is recommended to go to a regular hospital for dermatologist diagnosis.
In life, the simplest and most effective way to remove mites is to "sun", and sufficient sunlight is the nemesis of mites.
80% to 90% of people have worm mites on them, and under normal circumstances, everyone can coexist peacefully.
If you want the demodex mites to converge, you need to do 3 things: clean - moisturize - sunscreen.
Doing a good job of daily cleaning and removing excess oil can reduce the "food supply" to demodex mites. At the same time, pay attention to moisturizing and sun protection can help to develop a healthy skin barrier.
In addition, establishing good work and rest habits and a balanced diet to maintain skin barrier function and sebum secretion in a healthy state can coexist peacefully with demodex mites.
When the symptoms of mite infection are more severe and cannot be improved by daily care, it is necessary to treat it topically with metronidazole gel or peroxybenzoyl gel under the guidance of a doctor. ▲
Editor of this issue: Deng Yu
Copyright notice: This article is the original of Life Times, and unauthorized reproduction is refused.