Scabies

Lisa A. Spacek, M.D., Ph.D.

PATHOGENS

Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, an obligate parasite that burrows and reproduces in stratum corneum of the human skin.[6]
Scabere, to scratch, from Latin. The mite lives its 14-day life cycle in the human epidermis. Adult mites cannot survive outside human skin for more than 2 to 3 days, and immature mites can survive for 1 week.[3]
- Pruritis is due to an intense hypersensitivity reaction that is generated by mite, ova, and excrement. Hypersensitivity and pruritis occur 2 to 6 weeks after the initial infestation.

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