Why Do I Feel Like Bugs Are Crawling on My Face?

Bugs are quite common in our daily lives, and even tiny ones can be seen with the naked eye. However, some people may feel like there are bugs crawling on their faces, but they cannot see any abnormalities upon closer inspection. The sensation of bugs crawling on the face may indeed be caused by the presence of very small mites, specifically Demodex mites, which are invisible to the naked eye. Let's explore the reasons for this sensation and learn more about Demodex mites.

The sensation of bugs crawling on the face may be due to the presence of Demodex mites. Demodex mites are characterized by a sensation of crawling. Before the onset of symptoms, there are usually no signs. However, when the patient's immune system weakens or they consume excessive amounts of sugar and greasy foods, the condition may develop rapidly. The sensation of bugs crawling is intense and occurs continuously day and night, primarily affecting the bridge of the nose, nasal sides, scalp, cheeks, and eyelids. It can also occur on the back, chest, penis, anus, and even in the ear canal and mouth in severe cases. A few patients may experience damage to hair follicles, erythema, pustules, and desquamation. The condition can last for several months but may resolve spontaneously within weeks or months without treatment, and the sensation of bugs crawling gradually weakens and disappears. However, recurrence is common, often manifesting as intermittent sensations of bugs crawling, especially on the cheeks and nose.

Demodex mites are a type of mite that primarily reside in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of the skin. They are 0.1-0.5 millimeters long and have a translucent, milky white appearance. Unlike other mites, Demodex mites can be found on the skin at any time. They feed on the metabolites of sebaceous gland cells, epidermal cells, keratinocytes, sebum debris, and oils.

Demodex mite infestation is highly prevalent, with an infection rate of up to 97.68%. Therefore, anyone, regardless of gender or age, can be a potential carrier of Demodex mites. However, certain groups of people are more susceptible, including those with weakened immune systems, those who prefer sweet, greasy, and spicy foods, and those who do not maintain good hygiene.

Severe infestation of Demodex mites on the skin can result in 3 to 6 mites per hair follicle. When a large number of Demodex mites are active, they move in and out of the hair follicles in groups, causing mechanical damage and irritation. This can lead to sensations of bugs crawling on the skin, enlarged pores, rough skin, oily skin, increased blackheads, and acne. Since Demodex mites carry a large number of bacteria, severe infestations can trigger conditions such as folliculitis, seborrheic dermatitis, skin surface exudate, blepharitis, and external auditory canal itching.