People creeped out after finding out about creatures which live and have sex on your face
People are getting pretty creeped out after finding out about what creatures are doing on your face while we are asleep.
To put it broadly, this is quite disturbing if you think about it, and we hope it hasn't put you off your kip.
Researchers from the University of Reading have made a discovery about microscopic creatures living in the pores of our face.
In the study, it was found while we are sleeping, these tiny creatures come out and have sex to make more mites - yes, you heard that correctly.
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The eight-legged bugs move between the areas on our face and even nipples to find a mate.
The disturbing revelation was discovered after a mite's genome was sequenced for the first time by researchers.
It found that the little bug shed unnecessary genes and cells as a result of the inbreeding which goes on along the surface of the skin.
The researchers even discovered that bugs should be expected to develop into 'internal symbionts' that live inside of us, instead of remaining as external parasites.
Bugs being on our body is nothing new though and shouldn't be anything to make us squirm.
Also, you won't have ever spotted the bugs, as they measure a length of just 0.01 inches (0.3mm).
Dr Alejandra Perotti, who co-led the research and is also Associate Professor in Invertebrate Biology at the University of Reading, said: "We found these mites have a different arrangement of body part genes to other similar species due to them adapting to a sheltered life inside pores. These changes to their DNA have resulted in some unusual body features and behaviours."
Researchers have stood up in defence of the bugs, saying that they are 'unfairly blamed' for conditions such as blepharitis and rosacea.
However, that hasn't stopped people being creeped out by their discovery, as a new Anonymous tweet suggests.
It read: "You have microscopic creatures living in the pores of your face. They eat your dead skin and oils. While you are sleeping they come out and have sex to make more mites.
"Do you find this terrifying or oddly comforting? We are never really alone."
People have been reacting to the discovery in the comments to the tweet.
One user said: "Face sex? Fair enough," as a second added: "What a great thing to read before bed."
Meanwhile, a third said: "I do not find this 'oddly comforting'. I feel whatever is the opposite of that feeling."
Try not to be too freaked out when you get tucked up tonight.
Callum Jones