Scabies Mite (or the skin condition caused by it, Scabies)
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; adult females are 0.30–0.45 mm long and 0.25–0.35 mm wide; males are slightly smaller.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (outer layer) of human skin, where females burrow to lay eggs.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on human skin cells and lymphatic fluid found within the skin layers.
Behavior Patterns
These mites are obligate parasites. Adults burrow into the upper layer of the skin (stratum corneum) to live and deposit eggs. This burrowing activity causes intense itching, especially at night. The life cycle from egg to adult takes about 10-15 days.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Highly contagious skin infestation causing severe itching (pruritus) and a pimple-like rash. Scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections like impetigo or cellulitis. In immunocompromised individuals, it can develop into 'crusted scabies' (Norwegian scabies), a severe form with millions of mites.
Identified on: 2/20/2026