Scabies Mite (likely burrow appearance)

Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis

Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae

Size: Microscopic; females are 0.30–0.45 mm long and 0.25–0.35 mm wide; males are slightly smaller

Scabies Mite (likely burrow appearance)

Natural Habitat

The epidermis (upper layer) of human skin, particularly in folds and crevices like between fingers, wrists, elbows, and axillae

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on human skin cells and lymph fluid while burrowing

Behavior Patterns

Female mites burrow into the upper layer of the skin to lay eggs, creating serpentine burrows; this triggers an intense allergic itch response, typically worse at night

Risks & Benefits

Risks include severe itching, skin rashes, and secondary bacterial infections (like impetigo) from scratching; highly contagious through skin-to-skin contact

Identified on: 2/23/2026