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 smaller.
Natural Habitat
Human skin, specifically the stratum corneum (outer layer) where they burrow.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on human skin cells and extracellular fluid.
Behavior Patterns
The female mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs, creating tiny zigzag tracks. They are highly contagious and spread through direct skin-to-skin contact.
Risks & Benefits
Causes Scabies, a skin infestation characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. Untreated infestations can lead to secondary bacterial infections from scratching. No ecological benefits to humans.
Identified on: 2/4/2026