Human Itch Mite
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic; females are approximately 0.30 to 0.45 mm long, males are about half that size.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis of human skin, specifically the stratum corneum.
Diet & Feeding
The mites feed on skin cells and extracellular fluid by dissolving them with enzymes.
Behavior Patterns
The female mite burrows into the top layer of the skin to lay eggs. This burrowing and the mite's excretions cause an allergic reaction in the host. The life cycle from egg to adult takes 10 to 15 days.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Causes scabies, characterized by intense itching (especially at night) and a pimple-like rash. It is highly contagious through direct skin-to-skin contact. If left untreated, scratching can lead to secondary bacterial skin infections like impetigo. There are no known benefits to the host or ecosystem.
Identified on: 3/26/2026