Answer to Case 58

I think Ian said it best with the following:
"DEMODEX!!! follicle mite"

This was a tricky case since the follicle mite is rarely seen outside of its habitat of skin hair follicles and their associated sebaceous glands. However, it has a very classic appearance, so once you've seen one, you'll should be able to identify others in the future.

Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis are the most common species found on humans. They are a common finding on human skin - espectially on the face - and rarely cause any symptoms. Infestation increases as people age, with as many as 95% of people > 70 years old carrying these mites. If you'd like to see more of these mites, try plucking out one of your eyebrow hairs and looking at it under the microscope.