Where do scabies mites live on humans? - briefly
Scabies mites inhabit the upper skin layers, creating tunnels within the stratum corneum of the epidermis. They concentrate in warm, moist sites such as finger webs, wrists, elbows, and the genital area.
Where do scabies mites live on humans? - in detail
Scabies mites inhabit the superficial layers of the skin, specifically the stratum corneum. Female parasites create narrow tunnels, or burrows, in this outermost epidermal layer to deposit their eggs. The burrows appear as thin, grayish or flesh‑colored lines, often ending in a small papule.
Typical body regions include:
- Interdigital spaces of the hands and fingers
- Wrists and forearms
- Elbows, especially the flexor surfaces
- Axillary folds
- Waistline and belt area
- Buttocks and genital region
- Under the breasts in females
- Feet, particularly the soles and between toes
These locations share common characteristics: thin skin, warmth, and moisture, which facilitate mite survival and reproduction. In infants and the elderly, additional sites such as the scalp, face, neck, and palms may be involved because the skin in these areas is more vulnerable.
The life cycle proceeds entirely on the host. After hatching, larvae migrate to the skin surface, then mature into nymphs and adults within a few days. Adult females remain within the burrows for the duration of their reproductive period, typically 4–6 weeks, while males spend most of their time on the surface seeking mates.
Transmission occurs through prolonged skin‑to‑skin contact, allowing mites to move from one host’s epidermal surface to another. Because the organism does not survive long off the human body, infestations persist primarily in areas where close contact is frequent.