How can a scabies mite enter the body? - briefly
A scabies mite gains access by burrowing into the stratum corneum of the skin during direct skin‑to‑skin contact. It does not penetrate intact mucous membranes or clothing.
How can a scabies mite enter the body? - in detail
The scabies mite gains access to a human host through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infested individual. The mite’s front legs are equipped with claw-like structures that enable it to grasp the stratum corneum and create a narrow tunnel. Once the tunnel is formed, the organism inserts its mouthparts and begins feeding on interstitial fluid.
Typical routes of entry include:
- Prolonged physical contact – sustained interaction, such as sharing a bed, caring for a relative, or intimate relations, provides the opportunity for the mite to crawl onto the recipient’s surface and penetrate.
- Indirect contact via contaminated items – clothing, bedding, towels, or upholstered furniture that have recently been used by an infested person can harbor mites for up to 72 hours. Contact with these surfaces can result in transfer of the organism.
- Crowded living conditions – shelters, dormitories, or prisons increase the likelihood of close proximity, facilitating mite migration between occupants.
The penetration process follows a precise sequence:
- Attachment – the mite climbs onto the host’s epidermis.
- Burrowing – it uses its forelegs to cut a shallow groove, typically between the fingers, wrists, elbows, or genitals.
- Tunnel formation – a tunnel 0.2–0.5 mm in length is excavated within the stratum corneum.
- Feeding – the mite injects a small amount of saliva containing proteolytic enzymes, then consumes the resulting plasma.
Environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, and skin integrity influence the success of colonization. Compromised skin, for example due to eczema or dermatitis, offers reduced resistance, allowing the mite to establish a burrow more readily. Once inside, the mite reproduces, laying eggs within the tunnel; the hatching larvae continue the cycle, spreading further through the same contact mechanisms.