Doctors issue grim health warning to anyone washing sheets below 60 degrees

Eye surgeons have issued a grim health warning to anyone who washes their bedding below 60°C. Cases of a specific eye disease caused by a type of parasite are reportedly on the rise in the

UK, with one surgeon saying there had been a "huge increase" and dubbing it a "massive issue". Demodex blepharitis, a condition caused by dust mites (Demodex mites), can

lead to inflammation, swelling and redness, but the way in which the mites cause this issue will seem particularly disturbing to some. THE GRIM REALITY OF DEMODEX MITES Demodex mites will

enter a person's eyes at night, expelling skin, faeces, and eggs, which leads to unpleasant symptoms. However, you could prevent this simply by adjusting the dial on your washing

machine. Eye surgeon Julian Stevens told The i Paper: "This is a massive issue. Me and my colleagues are seeing more and more people at the clinic for demodex and optometrists on the

high street are also seeing a huge increase. "And the reason is that, whereas our parents used to wash at 60°C and hotter, everyone's now using low-temperature washes." He

added that people "don't realise the consequences" as the mites can survive in any temperature below 60°C, with one study indicating that the "lethal temperature" is

54°C. WHAT IS BLEPHARITIS? According to the NHS, blepharitis refers to a condition that causes itchy, swollen eyelids. It stressed that it's often not serious and can be addressed by

washing your eyelids. Symptoms could include sore and itchy eyelids, a gritty sensation, flakes or crusts on the eyelash roots, and the sticking together of the eyelids when you wake up in

the morning. The treatments include cleaning your eyelids twice daily, dropping down to once a day as the condition improves. The NHS stressed that you should continue cleaning your eyes

even when your symptoms alleviate. It also warned that while you have symptoms, you should not use contact lenses or eye make-up, including mascara and eyeliner. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

DEMODEX MITES Healthline writes that Demodex folliculorum refers to the most common form of the two Demodex mites (the other is known as Demodex brevis), which live in hair follicles and eat

skin cells. In contrast to the brevis type, they're usually found on the face, most commonly near the host's eyes, where they can have an impact on your eyes and eyelashes,

although the publication says it's common to have small numbers of them on your skin. Yet, as repellant as this may sound, the American Academy of Ophthalmology writes that the mites

have "long been considered a friendly bystander of normal skin". However, they can present problems when they overpopulate, with the academy linking high concentrations of Demodex

on the eyelids to chronic blepharitis and other eye problems. TREATMENTS FOR DEMODEX MITES According to the academy, one of the first ports of call for those wishing to treat Demodex mites

is an over-the-counter medicine with low levels of tea tree oil or hypochlorous-based acid. It writes that this is available in a range of forms, including a scrub, spray or wipe. One study

from 2012 showed that tea tree oil scrubs reduced Demodex. However, the Centers for Dry Eye warned people they should always dilute tea tree oil before using it, try a patch test on a small

part of the skin prior to use, avoid direct contact with the eyes, and consult an ophthalmologist prior to using it for your eye care. It also provided other tips, including ensuring you

practice good eyelid hygiene, not sharing personal items, regularly replacing your eye make-up, maintaining a healthy diet and keeping hydrated, and ensuring your bedding is clean. You can

learn more about Blepharitis via the NHS website here.