How long does a scabies mite live in a human body? - briefly
A scabies mite remains alive on a human host for roughly 30–40 days before it dies without a new host. During this time the female deposits eggs, which perpetuate the infestation.
How long does a scabies mite live in a human body? - in detail
Scabies mites survive on a human host for a limited period. Adult females remain viable for approximately 30 to 60 days, during which they lay 10–15 eggs each day. After completing egg production, the female dies, leaving no further offspring. Males live considerably shorter, typically 1–2 weeks, and die after mating.
The developmental stages occur entirely on the skin:
- Eggs: deposited in skin tunnels; hatch in 3–4 days.
- Larvae: six-legged; emerge and migrate to the skin surface; feed for about 2 days.
- Nymphs: eight-legged; undergo two molts over 5–6 days before becoming adults.
From egg to mature adult, the life cycle spans roughly 2–3 weeks. Under optimal temperature (25‑30 °C) and humidity, the mites complete this cycle without interruption. Host immune response can shorten adult survival; severe pruritus and scratching may dislodge mites, reducing their lifespan.
Off‑host survival is brief. In a dry environment, mites die within 24 hours; in a moist setting, they may persist up to 48 hours, but they cannot feed or reproduce without a human host. Consequently, transmission requires direct skin‑to‑skin contact within the period of adult viability.