Human Itch Mite

Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis

Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes; Family: Sarcoptidae

Size: Microscopic; females are approximately 0.30 to 0.45 mm long, while males are about half that size.

Human Itch Mite

Natural Habitat

Burrows under the outer layer of human skin (epidermis), typically found in skin folds, webbing between fingers, and wrists.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on skin cells and tissue fluids while burrowing through the stratum corneum.

Behavior Patterns

Nights are their most active period for burrowing. Females lay eggs under the skin, which hatch into larvae within 3-4 days; the complete life cycle takes 10-15 days.

Risks & Benefits

Causes Scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and rashes. Can lead to secondary bacterial infections from scratching; provides no known benefit.

Identified on: 5/22/2026