Scabies Mite (Burrow)
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; females are approx. 0.3mm to 0.45mm long, males are half that size.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (outer layer) of human skin, particularly in folds and creases like between fingers, wrists, elbows, and armpits.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on dissolved human tissue, not blood, within the stratum corneum of the skin.
Behavior Patterns
Female mites burrow into the upper layer of the skin to lay eggs, creating the characteristic grayish-white track lines seen in the image. The life cycle from egg to adult takes about 10-14 days.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: causes Scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. Scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections like Staph or Strep. Benefits: None.
Identified on: 3/1/2026