Eyelash mites: what are they, symptoms, treatments

When your eyes are red, itchy, and uncomfortable, you may wonder what could be causing these symptoms. Could it be allergies? A cold? Maybe you just got something in your eye. For some people, these symptoms could be a sign of eyelash mites.

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Eyelash mites or Demodex mites are tiny, microscopic mites naturally found on your skin and lashes. Though it sounds gross, they coexist with humans. They feed on skin waste and clean up dead skin cells. 

There are two types of mites that can routinely affect skin and eyelashes (Liu, 2010): 

• Demodex folliculorum (D. folliculorum) is found in the eyelash hair follicle. 

• The second type, Demodex brevis (D. brevis), tunnels deep into the skin’s oil or sebaceous glands. 

These two mites are only found in humans. 

Because they occur naturally, you won’t notice them until they cause a problem. If the mite population increases like in an infestation, it may cause uncomfortable symptoms on your eyelids and in your eyes, and may potentially affect your vision if left untreated.

Eyelash mites naturally live on our faces, helping to contribute to a healthy human biome by clearing away waste. These mites live for about three weeks from egg stage to adulthood. They can only survive on a living body (Fromstein, 2018).

While eyelash mites are natural and usually don’t cause problems, poor hygiene and skin conditions that create a lot of dead skin, like dandruff or rosacea, raise the risk of eyelash mite infestation when problems can occur (Lui, 2010).

Young people between 20–39 tend to have higher levels of D. brevis mites, while about 84% of people over 60 and all people over 70 years have D. folliculorum mites. People with a weakened immune system, certain skin conditions, and poor hygiene may also have eyelash mite infestations (Li, 2021).

When there’s an uptick in the eyelash mite population, it can cause a condition called Demodex blepharitis, a type of eyelid inflammation. 

The symptoms of eyelash mite infestation are caused by the eyelash mites and bacteria collecting on the eyelashes. 

Demodex infestations can cause symptoms in the front (anterior blepharitis) or back (posterior blepharitis) of the eye (Fromstein, 2018).

Symptoms of anterior blepharitis are usually caused by D. folliculorum, affecting the outside rim of the eyelashes and skin, and include (NEI, 2020):

• Blurry vision

• Crusty or sticky eyelashes

• Dry eye

• Itchiness

• Rough or scaly skin patches around the eyes

More severe symptoms include

• Burning sensation in the eye

• Abnormal lash growth

• Conjunctivitis

Posterior blepharitis symptoms are typically caused by D. brevis that block the meibomian (oil) gland and are found on the inside of the eyelid. Some people may feel as if they have a foreign body in their eye or develop a growth called a chalazion, commonly called a stye, on their eyelids (Fromstein, 2018).

If blepharitis isn’t treated, some people develop conjunctivitis or inflammation in their eyes (Fromstein, 2018). If you are experiencing an outbreak of dermatitis, eczema, or rosacea, an eyelash mite infestation can worsen your symptoms.

If you’re experiencing symptoms, your optometrist or ophthalmologist may use a tool called a slit lamp to look at your lashes and eyelids. It’s important to let them know all of your symptoms because eyelash mite outbreaks can mimic other eye conditions.

Eyelash mites can be contagious, so it’s important to avoid direct transmission with other people (Liu, 2010).

There are over-the-counter and home remedies that help to control an eyelash mite infestation. The National Eye Institute recommends doing these actions every day while you are symptomatic (NEI, 2020):

1. Use warm compresses to loosen gunk or crusts on your eyelids.

2. Gently scrub the area to remove the crusts and gunk.

3. Clean the eyelids using a mild cleanser like baby shampoo with water.

4. Wash your face and eyelids at least twice daily.

These steps should help clear the infestation within a few days to a week.

Treating chronic eyelash mites

Some people may have chronic eyelash mite infestation, where the symptoms clear up quickly but keep returning. The American Optometric Association recommends these measures to help keep mites under control (AOA, nd):

1. Follow a consistent eyelid cleaning schedule.

2. Use artificial tears or lubricating drops if you have dry eyes.

3. Control dandruff on your scalp using shampoos or other treatments.

4. Don’t use contact lenses or eye makeup until the infestation is under control.

5. Throw out any eye makeup used before the infestation.

Some ophthalmologists recommend the following treatments for chronic blepharitis. All of them are safe for everyday use. An ophthalmologist will make a decision together with you based on your case (Portal, 2021):

• Avenova is an eyelid cleanser that contains 0.01% hypochlorous acid. You spray Avenova onto a clean cotton round and wipe each eyelid three times, using a new cotton round for each eye. It works almost immediately to relieve inflammation and redness (Avenova, 2021).

• Tea-tree oil helps to manage eyelash mites. Older studies used different doses and some irritated the eye or eyelid. Newer formulations isolate the active ingredient, Terpinen-4-ol, and work efficiently and effectively to contain eyelash mites without causing irritation (Navel, 2019).

• Blephadex is a once-a-day treatment with tea tree oil, coconut oil, and a gentle eye cleanser to treat eyelash mites. It comes in wipes, warming wipes, and foam (Blephadex, 2021).

• Cliradex is another eyelid cleanser with the active ingredient in tea tree oil. It comes in foam or wipes. You use Cliradex twice a day for several weeks (Cliradex, 2021).

If the eyelash mite infestation caused a bacterial infection, you might need prescription steroid eye drops to decrease the inflammation and antibiotic eyelid ointment to curb the infection (Fromstein, 2018). 

A new topical treatment, combining Ivermectin and an anti-fungal shows significant promise in treating more stubborn or severe cases of Demodex outbreaks (Avila, 2021).

It’s important to practice eyelid hygiene every day. You should clean your eyelids gently when you shower with a soft washcloth or use a gentle over-the-counter eyelid wipe. If you wear eye makeup, don’t share or borrow other people’s eye makeup or eye makeup tools. Clean your eye makeup tools regularly (Fromstein 2018). 

Wash your bed linens in hot water and dry them thoroughly in the dryer if you have eyelash mites (Fromstein, 2018).

Although the whole thought of eyelash mites may be off-putting, an infestation is common and easy to treat. Cleaning your eyelids diligently helps prevent the buildup of skin cells that may cause problems. If you notice any discomfort in your eyes, seek prompt treatment from your eye professional. The earlier you treat eyelash mites, the easier the treatment and recovery will be. 

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Current version

September 13, 2021

Written by

Tobi Ash, MBA, RN, BSN

Fact checked by

Steve Silvestro, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Steve Silvestro, MD, Ro

Dr. Steve Silvestro is a board-certified pediatrician and Associate Director, Clinical Content & Education at Ro.