Demodex mite

Demodex mites are microscopic arachnids that live in or near the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of mammals, including humans. The two main species found on humans are *Demodex folliculorum* and *Demodex brevis*. These mites are typically harmless commensals but can become pathogenic when they multiply excessively—often due to immunosuppression—causing a condition known as demodicosis. Symptoms include itching, redness, acne-like blemishes, rough skin texture, and sometimes eye irritation if the eyelids are involved. Most people carry these mites without any symptoms throughout their lives. The life cycle of Demodex is completed entirely on the host; adults mate at night near hair follicles before returning to lay eggs inside them. Transmission occurs primarily through close contact with other hosts. While generally not considered a direct therapeutic target like a receptor or enzyme molecule would be in drug development contexts, treatments for symptomatic infestations involve topical acaricidal agents that kill the mites. Because "Demodex mite" refers to an entire organism rather than a molecular target such as a receptor or enzyme—and because it encompasses multiple species—it is not considered a canonical therapeutic target molecule/receptor for structured pharmacological databases.[2][3][4][5]

Other names

DemodexFace miteFollicle miteDemodex folliculorum (species)Demodex brevis (species)Demodex canis (in dogs)

Killing mites by disrupting their nervous system or metabolism via topical acaricides[5]