Human Itch Mite
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiforms; Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; adult females are 0.30 to 0.45 mm long; males are about half that size.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (outer layer of skin) of the human host.
Diet & Feeding
The mite feeds on dissolved skin cells and extracellular fluids.
Behavior Patterns
Adult females burrow into the upper layer of the skin to live and deposit eggs. They create characteristic zigzag or S-shaped burrows. The mites are obligate parasites and cannot survive away from a human host for more than 48-72 hours.
Risks & Benefits
Causes scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation. Risks include intense itching (often worse at night), rashes, and potential secondary bacterial infections (like impetigo or cellulitis) from scratching the affected area. There are no ecological benefits to humans.
Identified on: 3/6/2026