{"id":14184,"date":"2022-06-22T01:01:19","date_gmt":"2022-06-21T23:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sciencefocus.com\/?p=122107"},"modified":"2022-06-22T01:19:10","modified_gmt":"2022-06-21T23:19:10","slug":"the-tiny-mites-that-have-sex-on-your-face-are-close-to-extinction-and-thatll-be-bad-news-for-your-skin","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/rss_feed\/the-tiny-mites-that-have-sex-on-your-face-are-close-to-extinction-and-thatll-be-bad-news-for-your-skin\/","title":{"rendered":"The tiny mites that have sex on your face are close to extinction \u2013 and that\u2019ll be bad news for your skin"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Amy Barrett\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 22 June 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Microscopic mites that live inside the pores of your skin are using the oils you produce to fuel their \u2018all-night\u2019 mating sessions \u2013 and that\u2019s actually a good thing. Once blamed for conditions like acne, rosacea and itchy scalps, these late-night lovers might actually be keeping our pores unblocked and free of the oils that contribute to bad skin problems.<\/p>\n

In fact, as the tiny mites do us more good than harm, they could be considered as much a part of our daily lives as the bacteria living in our gut microbiome<\/a>. But, scientists from Bangor University and the University of Reading say their new study into the tiny Demodex folliculorum\u00a0<\/em>mites<\/a> suggests the mites existence is under threat.<\/p>\n

The first-ever study of the mites\u2019 DNA has revealed that their ancient relationship with humans has contributed to the loss of much of the organisms\u2019 genetic variety. Living in the follicles on our faces and nipples \u2013 the mites\u2019 preference, scientists say, though they can be found all over the body \u2013 has left them with such an isolated experience that they\u2019re fast approaching an \u2018evolutionary dead-end\u2019.<\/p>\n

With very few mite-mingling events, mating pairs have passed on the same genes for millions of years, and shed the ones that were unnecessary. As they can\u2019t protect themselves against UV radiation, the mites hide inside your pores during the day, coming out at night to feed and do the deed.<\/p>\n

At some point, the mites lost the gene to produce melatonin, which is the chemical that nocturnal animals use to keep themselves awake at night. Luckily for the mites, melatonin is produced by glands on our skin. It\u2019s this by-product of our existence that the mites use to fuel their fecundity.<\/p>\n

Despite the mites\u2019 relationship with us and other animals since mammals first appeared on Earth around 200 millions ago,\u00a0Demodex\u00a0<\/em>are effectively on the path to extinction. Analysis of the mites\u2019 genome has shown that they can only be passed from mother to child (so your mites will never mix with your partner\u2019s, no matter how often you rub faces).<\/p>\n

As generations come and go, the differences in mites\u2019 DNA become smaller in smaller. Someday, the gene pool will be so small, they\u2019ll become extinct.<\/p>\n

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A Demodex mite under the microscope, with its penis encircled<\/span><\/figcaption> \u00a9 University of Reading<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The genetic analysis also dispelled one long-standing idea about the mites: that they don\u2019t have anuses and hold onto all their faeces throughout their lifetime (a short two or three weeks) until they die. This dermo-dumping, researches once supposed, could cause skin inflammation and problems like acne. But the Demodex<\/em> mites don\u2019t deserve such a bad reputation.<\/p>\n

\u201cMites have been blamed for a lot of things,\u201d said Dr Henk Braig<\/a>, co-lead author of the new study. \u201c[But their] long association with humans might suggest that they also could have simple but important beneficial roles, for example, in keeping the pores in our face unplugged.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though the mites have been previously thought of as parasites, Braig and colleagues are pushing for a reassessment of their role in our lives. Their help in keeping our skin healthy means we could consider them one of our symbionts \u2013 a lifelong partnership between two different species that benefits both.<\/p>\n

Can we prevent their loss? It may be too late.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that we cannot stop nature, and we shouldn\u2019t,\u201d said Dr Alejandra Perotti<\/a>, co-author of the Demodex <\/em>research. \u201cHowever, [our] healthy skin should suffice to maintain healthy populations for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more about skincare:<\/strong><\/p>\n