Human Itch Mite
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic, typically 0.30 to 0.45 mm long (females), males are even smaller
Natural Habitat
The upper layer of human skin (epidermis)
Diet & Feeding
Skin cells and extracellular fluid during the burrowing process
Behavior Patterns
The female mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs; transmission typically occurs through prolonged skin-to-skin contact
Risks & Benefits
Causes Scabies, resulting in intense itching and skin rashes; can lead to secondary skin infections from scratching; no ecological benefits to humans
Identified on: 3/5/2026