Skin mites explained: harmless passengers or health problem?

_Demodex follicolorum_ collected on human nose. Pasotteo/Shutterstock

Almost everyone carries microscopic mites on their skin. They live inside pores and hair follicles, feeding on skin oils and dead cells.

When people first hear this, the reaction is often disgust or alarm. It is easy to imagine infestation, poor hygiene or something going wrong.

In reality, these tiny organisms are a normal, lifelong part of being human and part of the natural balance of the skin.

Nearly...