But experts actually say that doing this may create the perfect environment for dust mites. Not familiar with ... at the Los Angeles Center for Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy.

Ark Naturals' Ears All Right is a cleaning solution that can treat ear mites. It’s made entirely from human-grade botanicals, and you can use it for regular ear washing and treating mites.

This story appears in the February 2015 issue of National Geographic magazine. Currently two species of face mites are known; at least one of them appear to be present on all adult humans.