Expert Explains Terrifying Reason Your Eyes Could Be Itchy and Red
Many people find themselves rubbing at itchy eyes. And while most of the time a bit of grit or stray eyelash is the answer, the reason can be far more horrifying. If you find your eyes are dry, itchy, and red, it could be down to tiny eye mites living in your eyelashes.
Eye expert and founder of Contours Rx, Britain Todd, says, “Eye mites, specifically Demodex mites, are microscopic parasites that live on our skin, commonly on the eyelids.” There are two main types: Demodex folliculorum, which live in hair follicles, and Demodex brevis, found in sebaceous glands. These mites are extremely common, with most people having them in small, harmless numbers.
However, when conditions like ageing, weakened immune systems, or poor hygiene allow their numbers to increase, they can cause problems. Eye mites can lead to blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids that results in redness, itching, and swelling. They can also cause eyelash issues, such as loss or misalignment, and contribute to chronic eye irritation, including dryness or a gritty feeling in the eyes.
The best way to treat them is through good hygiene. Britain says, “Treatment involves maintaining good eyelid hygiene, such as cleaning the eyelids regularly.” In more severe cases, doctors may prescribe medicated treatments or recommend products with tea tree oil, which can help reduce the mite population, albeit drowning them.
Contours RX B5 Prep Pads are designed for cleansing and preparing the skin for the application of cosmetic products and stopping eye mites at the root cause by removing dead skin cells, which are their food source, says Britain. Although the B5 Prep Pads are not specifically formulated to treat or reduce Demodex mites, they work by removing oils, dirt, and makeup residue from the eyelids, thus reducing the environment where eye mites thrive.