Human Itch Mite
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: 0.3 to 0.45 mm for females; males are about half that size
Natural Habitat
Human skin, specifically the stratum corneum (outermost layer)
Diet & Feeding
Human skin cells and extracellular fluid
Behavior Patterns
The female mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin to live and deposit eggs, creating characteristic zigzag or wavy lines (burrows). The life cycle from egg to adult takes 10-15 days.
Risks & Benefits
Causes scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. It is a significant public health risk as it spreads through direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact.
Identified on: 12/28/2025