Scabies Mites - Sarcoptes Scabiei

Scabies - a burrowing mite called sarcoptes scabiei can infest your skin causing intense itching.

Scabies is transferred either person to person or possibly by clothing, bedding, rugs, couches or other fabric where they briefly will live.

Other types of the scabies mite can cause infestation in other mammals such as dogs, cats, pigs, ferrets, and horses, and they can infest humans as well. But, they are unable to reproduce in humans and so quickly die off and only cause a temporary itch or skin irritation.

Mites are found predominantly between the fingers and on the wrists but can spread to many other parts of the body.

They are rarely found above the head.

The burrows appear as raised serpentine or wiggly lines up to several centimeters long.

The mites hold onto the skin using suckers attached to the two most anterior pairs of legs.