Human Itch Mite

Scientific Name: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis

Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Sarcoptidae

Size: 0.3–0.45 mm for females; males are roughly half that size

Human Itch Mite

Natural Habitat

Burrowed just beneath the skin of a human host

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on human skin cells and extracellular fluid

Behavior Patterns

Females burrow into the stratum corneum of the skin to lay eggs; they are nocturnal and movement within burrows causes intense itching

Risks & Benefits

Causes scabies, a highly contagious skin infestation characterized by severe itching and rashes; can lead to secondary bacterial infections from scratching

Identified on: 6/8/2026