Scabies Mite (burrow/rash)
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: Microscopic: Females are 0.30 - 0.45 mm long and 0.25 - 0.35 mm wide; males are about half that size. The mark seen in the image is likely a burrow, not the mite itself.
Natural Habitat
The epidermis (upper layer) of human skin, particularly in folds like between fingers, wrists, armpits, and genital areas. It thrives in crowded living conditions with close physical contact.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on dissolved human tissue, not blood. They consume the stratum corneum (outermost skin layer).
Behavior Patterns
Females burrow into the skin to lay eggs, creating serpentine tracks (like the faint darker line visible in the image). The life cycle from egg to adult takes about 10-15 days. They are most active at night, which correlates with intense itching.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Causes scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by intense itching and a pimple-like rash. Scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections like impetigo or cellulitis. Benefits: None known.
Identified on: 3/1/2026