Facial abscess-like conglomerates associated with Demodex mites

Abstract

Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis are normal inhabi-tants of the human pilosebaceous duct and sebaceousglands, respectively, with a predilection to colonize facialskin. 1 Parasitism is usually asymptomatic, but Demodex mites have been implicated as a pathogenic agent for somesuppurative or granulomatous dermatological conditionsresembling suppurative folliculitis of face and scalp inimmunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Demodex infestation is usually associated with pruritus,erythema, papules, pustules, nodules or scales with apredilection for the face, especially the nose and nasolabialfolds in an immunocompetent patient.2–6 We describe herethe case of a 40-year-old man with acute onset papules,pustules and abscess-like conglomerates associated withheavy infestation of Demodex mites on his face.