Community identification
Human Itch Mite
Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
- Order & Family
- Order: Sarcoptiformes; Family: Sarcoptidae
- Size
- Microscopic; females are approximately 0.30–0.45 mm long, males are about half that size.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis of human skin; specifically burrowing into the stratum corneum.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on human skin cells and extracellular fluid by dissolving tissue with secreted enzymes.
Behavior Patterns
Mated females burrow into the upper layer of the skin to lay eggs. They are highly contagious and spread through direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact.
Risks & Benefits
Risk: Causes Scabies, a skin infestation characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. Untreated infestations can lead to secondary bacterial infections like sores or impetigo. There are no ecological benefits to humans.