Caption

Eyelash mite. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an eyelash, or follicle, mite (Demodex folliculorum), a harmless parasite which lives inside human hair follicles. This mite infests hair follicles (depressions in the skin which contain the roots of hairs) around the eyelids, nose and in the ear canals of humans. It feeds on oily secretions from the skin's sebaceous glands, which empty into the follicles, as well as dead skin cells. Infestation with follicle mites is usually symptomless; they cause no harm to their host. However, allergic reactions to the mites in susceptible individuals can cause hair loss and acne. Magnification: x298 at 6x7cm size.