What is a dermatological mite? - briefly
Dermatological mites are microscopic arthropods that colonize human skin, producing disorders such as scabies, demodicosis, and mange. They belong to families like Sarcoptidae and Demodicidae and survive by feeding on skin cells, oils, or blood.
What is a dermatological mite? - in detail
Dermatological mites are microscopic arthropods that inhabit human skin, hair follicles, or the external environment and cause a range of skin disorders. They belong to the subclass Acari, order Acariformes, and include species such as Sarcoptes scabiei (causing scabies), Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis (associated with rosacea and blepharitis), and Pthirus pubis (the crab louse).
These organisms possess a soft, oval body, four pairs of legs in the adult stage, and lack wings. Their size ranges from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, rendering them invisible to the naked eye. They survive by feeding on epidermal cells, sebum, or blood, depending on the species.
Transmission occurs through direct skin‑to‑skin contact, shared clothing or bedding, and, for certain species, sexual contact. Infestation results in a spectrum of clinical signs, including intense itching, erythema, papules, pustules, and secondary bacterial infection. Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation, dermatoscopic examination, and microscopic identification of mites, eggs, or fecal pellets obtained from skin scrapings.
Management strategies comprise:
- Topical acaricides (e.g., permethrin 5 %, benzyl benzoate) applied to the entire body surface.
- Oral ivermectin for resistant or widespread cases.
- Hygiene measures: laundering clothing and bedding at high temperatures, vacuuming environments, and avoiding close contact until treatment concludes.
- Adjunctive therapy for inflammation: topical corticosteroids or antihistamines to control pruritus.
Prevention emphasizes regular skin hygiene, avoiding sharing personal items, and prompt treatment of infected individuals to interrupt transmission cycles. Understanding the biology and life cycle of these mites informs accurate diagnosis and effective therapeutic interventions.