Community identification
Scabies Mite
Sarcoptes scabiei
- Order & Family
- Sarcoptiformes, Sarcoptidae
- Size
- 0.3 to 0.45 mm (females); 0.2 to 0.25 mm (males)
Natural Habitat
Under the surface of human skin; they cannot survive away from a host for more than 2-3 days.
Diet & Feeding
Skin cells and extracellular fluid; they burrow into the upper layer of the skin.
Behavior Patterns
Females burrow into the stratum corneum to lay eggs, which hatch in 3-4 days. They are highly contagious through skin-to-skin contact.
Risks & Benefits
Causes intense itching and skin rashes (scabies). If left untreated, the constant scratching can lead to secondary bacterial skin infections like impetigo.