A Moment of Science: There Might Be Mites in Those Eyelashes
Series: A Moment of Science
From: WFIU
Length: 00:02:02
- Playing
- A Moment of Science: There Might Be Mites in ...
- From
- WFIU
Tiny organisms, called demodicids, or eyelash mites, live on the bodies of even the cleanest of people. Demodicids are tiny parasites that live in pores and hair follicles around the eyelashes, feasting on the dead skin cells and oils that accumulate there.
Also in the A Moment of Science series
The Greeks Knew The Earth Was Round Before Copernicus
(00:02:02)
From: WFIU
2-minute science module.
Gimme A Brake: How To Calculate Stopping Time And Distance
(00:02:01)
From: WFIU
2-minute science module.
Related Pieces
Piece Description
Tiny organisms, called demodicids, or eyelash mites, live on the bodies of even the cleanest of people. Demodicids are tiny parasites that live in pores and hair follicles around the eyelashes, feasting on the dead skin cells and oils that accumulate there.
Transcript
Don't look now, but your face might be home to a group of tiny creatures!
These organisms, called demodicids, or eyelash mites, live on the bodies of even the cleanest of people. Demodicids are tiny parasites that live in pores and hair follicles around the eyelashes, feasting on the dead skin cells and oils that accumulate there. They resemble semi-transparent worms, and have four pairs of short legs they can use to get around.
You might not have heard of them, but demodicids are extremely common in humans. Researchers estimate that a small number of mites live on the faces of most adults, and the infestation becomes more and more common with age. In fact, as many as 96% of elderly people are thought to carry these microscopic mites!
Although the presence of parasites on so many people might sound alarming, demodicids are harmless and don't transmit diseases. In some people,...
Read the full transcript
Of 2 purchasers of this piece...
- 2 also bought:
Through a Door (00:07:48) - 2 also bought:
My Life as a Cup (00:03:00) - 2 also bought:
- 2 also bought:
A Moment of Science: Heterochromia (00:02:02) - 2 also bought:
A Moment of Science: Runaway Tail! (00:02:02)
Stephanie Roach
Posted on October 07, 2008 at 10:55 PM | Permalink
Review of A Moment of Science: There Might Be Mites in Those Eyelashes
Don't look now, but you've got mites on your face. What I love about this piece is that it uses the "yuck" factor to increase interest. You know the syndrome where you open a carton of milk that has turned bad, smell or taste it, then immediately say to your friend standing next to you, "This is horrible! Here, try it." And of course they do. In an educational setting, this piece does the very same. First, you're told you probably have worm-like parasites with 4 legs each living on your eyelashes and feeding off your dead skin and oils, and then it is suggested you check it out for yourself, by finding the nearest microscope. Do it. It is disgusting--so you'll love it.