Human Itch Mite

The epidermis (outer layer of skin) of human hosts; specifically prefers areas with thin skin like between fingers, wrists, elbows, and armpits.

Feeds on skin cells and extracellular fluid of the human host.

Adult females burrow into the upper layer of the skin where they live and lay eggs. They move at a rate of 2–3 cm per minute, and symptoms (scabies) are an allergic reaction to the mites' proteins and feces.

Risks include intense itching (often worse at night), skin rashes, and potential secondary bacterial infections from scratching. It is highly contagious through direct skin-to-skin contact. There are no known benefits to humans or the ecosystem.