Human Itch Mite / Scabies
Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae
Size: 0.3 to 0.45 millimeters (mostly microscopic)
Natural Habitat
Under the outer layer of human skin; thrives in crowded living conditions.
Diet & Feeding
Skin cells and tissue fluids of humans.
Behavior Patterns
Females burrow into the stratum corneum to lay eggs, causing an allergic reaction and intense itching. They are transmitted through direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact.
Risks & Benefits
Primary risk is scabies, a contagious skin infestation. This leads to severe itching, rashes, and the potential for secondary bacterial infections due to scratching.
Identified on: 2/4/2026